Along the vistas you’ll notice dilapidated cities from a variety of planets. This allows areas to feel distinct from each other, though there are some repeat color coordinations. Areas utilize thematic coloring, such as Ironroot Basin with its complementary turquoise and orange. Though Solar Ash differs significantly graphically from Heart Machine’s previous title, Hyper Light Drifter, it’s apparent how the art direction of that game influenced a similar overall aesthetic. The neon vibrance of Rei contrasts nicely with the environment, particularly the pastel clouds. Nevertheless, the growing feeling of despair, sadness, and regret I felt as I pieced together the story are emotions I rarely feel when gaming. Still, it did detract from a surprise ending, which I feel could have been a bit more impactful to the player. Though some of the foreshadowing is quite obvious, these moments come a bit later into the game, avoiding giving it away too early. Piecing together the stories of Rei, the crew, and those locked within the ultravoid quickly became my favorite part of Solar Ash. Story elements are mostly optional, but the more you dig the more questions you have, and the more interesting it becomes. These individuals have their own unique stories which fit the game's narrative thematically. Through your adventure you also meet a handful of others stuck within the ultravoid. By discovering Voidrunner stashes you begin to piece together the mystery of what happened to your crew and why the starseed, the machine that was brought to destroy the ultravoid, didn’t work. You play as Rei, a Voidrunner, who enters into the ultravoid in an attempt to save her crew and destroy the ultravoid, thus saving her planet from being consumed and destroyed by it. Developed by Heart Machine, the same developers of the esteemed Hyper Light Drifter, Solar Ash seeks to provide the player with a type of emotional experience rarely approached in the medium. This is just a taste of the experience of Solar Ash. But I know what I must do, I have no other option. I cannot help but to think of it as both majestic and frightening. This enormous leviathan pervades the city in such a way that makes the city seem paltry by comparison. As I destroy a black goo-like anomaly, a huge being arises from the sea of clouds. I’ve learned that these monsters are called remnants, but remnants of what? The question hangs, unanswered, as I continue gliding frictionless among the destruction, searching with hope and vigor for the crew that has gone missing. Aside from myself and the woman, the only other things alive in this pit of loneliness and despair are monsters that seek to destroy me. Her mind is too far gone to be helpful on my mission. An alien woman weeps in a nearby building, lamenting her decisions and apologizing profusely to those who aren’t there. Subway systems and buildings have been ripped apart and scattered haphazardly. Surrounding me are the remains of demolished societies and decimated metropolises of varying planets coalesced into an urban sprawl of utter desolation. I skate atop non-newtonian clouds suspended in the abyss. By Miles Gregory, posted on 12 December 2021 / 2,352 Views

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