‘Of Ash and Steel’: A Promising Return to Old-School RPG Roots

For fans craving a return to the challenging, immersive, and often unforgiving world of classic
RPGs, Of Ash and Steel is quickly becoming a game to watch. Developed by the passionate
team at Fire & Frost and published by tinyBuild, this low-fantasy, open-world action RPG is
expected to land on Steam for PC in 2025, and early previews are generating considerable
buzz.

This game is a perfect blend of Skyrim and The Witcher. Of Ash and Steel throws players into
the shoes of Tristan, a cartographer on an expedition to a new island that quickly goes awry.
Stranded and alone, Tristan is far from a superhero. The game emphasizes a “zero-to-hero”
journey, where every skill and piece of equipment must be earned through hardship and
exploration. This approach, which harkens back to titles like the Gothic series and early Witcher
games, prioritizes player agency and discovery over hand-holding.

While still in active development, early gameplay previews highlight a challenging combat
system that demands tactical thinking rather than button mashing. The world is also said to be
brimming with diverse creatures and bandit factions, ensuring that exploration is always fraught
with peril and opportunity. Crafting plays a significant role, allowing players to forge their own
weapons and armor from resources gathered in the world, further deepening the immersion.

Of Ash and Steel looks set to appeal to a niche but dedicated audience who yearns for the
brutal honesty and rewarding progression of old-school RPGs. If Fire & Frost can deliver on its
ambitious vision, blending classic design principles with modern sensibilities, Of Ash and Steel
could very well be a standout title in the RPG genre, offering a truly fresh, yet nostalgic,
adventure. It’s rumored that this epic RPG will be free to play on Steam, but only time will tell
once it’s closer to release date.