Ashen is out right now on Xbox and PC

There were a lot of big announcements during the most recent Game Awards, but the surprise immediate release of Ashen was one that’s got us particularly excited.

Ashen is an action RPG developed by New Zealand studio Aurora44,  and it’s available right now on Xbox and PC. The news was accompanied by an enticing launch trailer that shows more of the game’s mysterious world, co-operative gameplay and Souls-like combat system.

We’ve had hands-on experience with Ashen at PAX AUS for the past 2 years now, and it’s always been one of our biggest highlights of the convention each time – so an immediate release really does feel like Christmas has come early.

If you haven’t been following the development of the game as fervently as us, here’s the official description from the game’s launch trailer:

Ashen is an open world co-op action RPG about a wanderer in search of a place to call home. This is a world where nothing lasts, no matter how tightly you cling to it. At its core, Ashen is about forging relationships. Players can guide those they trust to their camp – together, you might just stand a chance.

The game has a stamina-based combat system, and a similar drop-in / drop-out co-op multiplayer mechanic to Journey. If you hadn’t already noticed, it also has an absolutely beautiful and unique art style, and a very intriguing and mysterious looking world to explore.

Ashen is available now on the Xbox Marketplace and the recently launched Epic Games Store for PC for $39.99. It’s expected to be available on Steam soon.