Virtual Hack-and-Slash with a Magic Twist

Ember Souls is a new hack-and-slash title inspired by Assassin’s Creed and Prince of Persia, and we went hands-on at Gamescom.

Previously revealed at the UploadVR Summer Showcase in June, Ember Souls sees you playing as the last Immortal. This VR adventure will have you battling the Shadow Sultan and will include parkour, climbing and puzzles. It’s not what I expected. VirtualAge previously released a VR RTS/FPS hybrid,

, last year. Still, the announcement had me intrigued, and as someone who enjoyed both Guardians Frontline and Assassin’s Creed Nexus, I was happy to jump in on Quest 3 during Gamescom 2024.Asgard’s Wrath 2https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0A0zgXnoEU

This demo didn't show me a continuous gameplay segment, and this preview merged three gameplay sections, starting from the very beginning. Ember Souls' introduction to the concept is excellent. You are guided by Alshain your magical falcon as you make your way towards the palace which, unsurprisingly, has many enemies and traps. The cliche of navigating obstacles such as giant swinging swords or timed flamethrowers within walls is very apparent. However, the visual effect created by the fabric tearing when you move down the curtains into new areas makes it a fun experience.

Combat can be entertaining, if not particularly original. It’s fun to watch your enemies disappear after you throw daggers at them. I find that swinging a sword around doesn’t really do anything for me anymore. Hack-and-slash battles are a common feature in VR games. I can see why. It’s the most intuitive way to fight with motion controls. The ember stones are what keep this game interesting. This demo showcased only your character’s wind elemental powers. It has several helpful functions. You can grip objects that are far away, such as the top of an area where you’re able to climb. This is a convenient way for those who don’t want to climb. The most rewarding use I have seen of these “force powers” is to push enemies away during combat. Ember Souls certainly leans into its inspirations and while I wouldn’t call it the most exciting VR hack-and-slash that I’ve played, VirtualAge’s upcoming action game has potential.

Ember Souls will soon reach the

platform and Synapse.

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