We Love It's Guide to…
As cartographer Tristan, explore a perilous island without quest markers, grow from novice fighter, and choose a faction.
Released 24 Nov 2025
Explore Without Markers
Master Three Stances
Forge a Custom Sword
Of Ash and Steel is an immersive third-person open-world RPG created by a passionate team that values the essence of classic old-school RPGs and modern design. Explore the lands of a once-prosperous island, hone your combat skills, and survive in the unforgiving realm of the Kingdom of the Seven.
Developed by Fire & Frost · Published by tinyBuild
You play as Tristan, a cartographer stranded on the island of Grayshaft in the Kingdom of the Seven. Starting with little strength or combat experience, he must survive and find his place in a world of competing factions and uncertain loyalties.
Explore an open world of varied landscapes, settlements, and hidden locations. Talk with locals, take on quests, and use dialogue, books, and notes to piece together where to go; quest markers are absent, and map access develops as you progress. Your choices can affect characters and the world around you.
Fight with different weapons, three battle stances, active skills, and stamina-based attacks and parries. Improve Tristan through levels, attributes, and skills learned from trainers, while pursuing professions such as fishing, hunting, blacksmithing, and alchemy. Joining either of two major factions opens its own storyline and rewards.
Players who connect with the game often enjoy exploring its large island, uncovering hidden places, and finding their way through conversations rather than quest markers. Reviews also praise the slow shift from a weak novice to a capable fighter, along with the old-school atmosphere and engaging dialogue. These strengths are not universal: many reviewers say unclear directions and rough execution can get in the way of that experience.
45+ hours of main story, packed with dialogue, well-developed characters, books, and side quests.
Two major factions to choose from — each with its own unique storyline, quests, and exclusive rewards.
Combat system features three distinct battle stances, multiple weapon types, and active skills.
A vibrant, open-world island with diverse biomes to explore.
A wide range of professions to master, including fishing, hunting, blacksmithing (with the ability to craft your own one-of-a-kind sword), alchemy, and more.
Of Ash and Steel offers a challenging yet rewarding combat system. You are not a legendary bounty hunter or monster slayer by default. Instead, you must master the mechanics: manage stamina, time your attacks and parries, and determine which combat stances and weapon types suit you best. It takes time and practice, but the more you play, the more both you and Tristan evolve and gain an understanding of what is happening around you.
Learn to stand up for yourself using different weapons, environments, and active skills. Tailor your fighting style to suit you, from the agile rapier wielder to a heavy armour-clad knight, or create something unique!
Immerse yourself in a story full of twists, humor, and discoveries. Step into the shoes of a man who is destined to become much more than just a cartographer. Gain strength, survive, and forge alliances. Prove that even someone who has lost everything can become a significant force that can shape the fate of the whole world.
Talk to locals to learn about their daily lives, and help them with tasks. Watch how people’s opinions of you change as your character grows. Join one of the two major factions and complete its unique storyline to earn exclusive rewards. Your actions and choices will also affect the world and the characters around you.
Of Ash and Steel has no marker system, and quests won't lead you by the hand. Rediscover the joy of exploration and let curiosity be your guide; the world promises rich rewards for those who dare to uncover its secrets.
Listen carefully to what people tell you and pay attention to what is said in the quests to find your way. Read books and notes to learn more about the world. Mark interesting locations on your map, explore the island, and uncover hidden treasures!
| Platforms | Windows |
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| Achievements | 30 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller required | No |
| AI disclosure | AI-assisted tools were used to prepare some of the imagery on the Store Page. The game itself is AI-free. |
| AI disclosure categories |
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