Ashen is an action-RPG about your struggle to find a home in a land without a sun. The only natural light comes from the glowing ash that erupts from a mountain, and even that dims as it steadily settles on the ground. There are cannibals, opportunistic bandits, wild beasts, giants, and strange creatures of the dark. It is not a place you'd want to travel alone.
Ashen's online players will seamlessly drift into your world at random, one at a time (like in Journey), as you will theirs. But no one is obligated to team up despite it being helpful that you do. In fact, it's vital in some cases, as certain challenges will require a partner to overthrow. Fortunately, the NPCs that inform you about the world, and give you reasons to venture into it, can also be teamed up with if you prefer. However, they all have their own agenda and should be thoroughly interrogated before being trusted. As significant events unfold as part of the developing story, you'll have to decide whose interpretation of the situation you trust the most.
"Whatever you choose, the outcome is likely to be part success and part tragedy," Derek says. "It's just about weighing up what is more important to you."
Whether you decide to cooperate with another online player or substitute them with an AI companion, you'll be able to explore with them, and fight side-by-side in vicious, testing battles. Combat is predictably Soulsian in manner which, for the uninitiated, means it's like trying to clean a chimney with a walrus sat on the end of a pole. In other words, it's sluggish, weighty, and dictated by stamina levels. This emphasises the importance of skill and observation as your most lethal weapons. But Derek points out at least one way that it differs, if only ever so slightly, from From Software's inspiring design. That's in the limitations on weapon availability in Ashen.