Ashes of the Singularity

As it stands, Ashes of the Singularity feels like little more than a tech demo of Stardock's new Oxide engine. At best, it demonstrates the power of multicore optimization and DirectX 12, being the latest game to push the limits of computing to render a massive number of moving parts in a burgeoning war machine. Even so, the game comes off as half-finished. There is a decent foundation, but Ashes fails to build on it in a satisfying way.

I never managed to shake the feeling that Ashes' drab maps rob it of an extra layer of strategy, and as a person whose favorite gaming stories have grown out of real-time strategy games, I frowned at the forgettable campaign. But in other moments, Ashes manages to rise beyond its lackluster parts and its muted landscapes to deliver carefully paced victories I won't soon forget.

Ashes of the Singularity is truly a mixed bag of RTS goodies. Its strategy tactics and large scale battles draw you in but the lack of unit variety and drab campaign really keep from engaging you. Though a fun past-time for new players, strategy veterans may not find much lasting appeal.