The only way is up, and you better hurry as ten minutes after starting anew in Ablaze Ascent, you’re done. Win or lose – doesn’t matter. When the timer reaches zero, that’s it. That’s all she wrote. Be quick or be dead, in this pixellated vertical precision platformer.
Now, that time limit might not seem like a whole lot, and if Ablaze Ascent was a narrative-driven experience, it probably wouldn’t be. But a game like this with its time-saving tricky shortcuts and a unique “long wall jump” move? Seems like a proper groovy fit. Oh, and if you want to up the difficulty somewhat, go ahead and complete the five challenges. ‘Try’? No. Do. Or do not. There is no try.
What awaits at the top? Guide the little flaming guy up there and find out!
Something tells me the thirty hand-crafted levels will prove plenty for most, however, and thanks to a practice mode, players are not required to practice with the time limit enabled while a level select feature makes figuring out how to navigate specific levels easier. Undeniably useful inclusions, although how about something that tracks both your score (wait, what?) and time? Yeah. Also a thing. I dare you to come up with anything important omitted from this particular title; especially given its low price tag. What, fun? Oh, believe me, it’s there. Just have to know where to look.
Ablaze Ascent is available on itch.io, carrying a $1 price tag.
