Ashes of the Singularity II Review Summary

Fun, improved sequel with satisfying army resupply, epic large-scale battles, and macro-focused strategy, but it currently cannot launch, which spoils the experience.

Fun and enjoyable gameplay: Players consistently find the core gameplay solid, straightforward, and fun, making it a key strength. This positive sentiment appears across multiple clusters.

Improvement over Ashes 1: The game is seen as a definite upgrade and refinement over the first Ashes game. Fans of the original appreciate the improvements.

Army resupply system praised: The army creation and auto-replenishment system is awesome and adds fun to the gameplay. Players find it intuitive and cool.

Epic large-scale battles: The scale of battles with many units and large battlefields is highly praised, creating crazy big battles. This is a standout feature for many players.

Macro strategy over micromanagement: The game focuses on macro strategy rather than fast-paced micro-control, which is appreciated. Players like that heavy micromanagement is not required unless desired.

Game cannot launch: Many players report being unable to open or launch the game after download or purchase. Launcher issues prevent entry into the game.

Poor voice acting quality: Players consistently criticize the voice acting as bad, unnatural, or absurd, affecting immersion. The issue appears across multiple characters and missions.

UI needs improvement: The user interface is described as wonky, not user-friendly, and in need of tweaking. Usability and controls are disappointing to some players.

Campaign is too short: The campaign is described as disappointingly short and unfinished, leaving players wanting more content. This is a common complaint among reviewers.

Missing cutscene subtitles: Cutscenes, especially between missions, lack subtitles, which is a significant accessibility issue. Players note the absence of subtitles as a drawback.

Multiple game modes available: The game includes single-player campaign, skirmish, and multiplayer modes. This provides varied gameplay options for different preferences.

Campaign mode features missions: The game includes a campaign mode with structured missions, often with cutscenes and dialogue between characters. Some missions feature multiple AI players, providing narrative-driven single-player content.

Large-scale strategic RTS: The game is an RTS focused on massive battles and strategic scale rather than micro-intensive gameplay. Players control large armies across big battlefields in a macro-oriented experience.

Streamlined army management reduces micromanagement: A new army management mechanic streamlines control and reduces the need to micromanage individual units. This includes auto-replenishment that automatically refills squads, allowing players to focus on strategy.

Skirmish mode with AI opponents: Skirmish mode allows battles against AI opponents and offers extended play after the campaign. It supports bot battles for solo practice or casual play.

Good Performance on Specific Hardware: Many users report smooth performance on a variety of hardware, including older laptops and specific GPUs like RX 6600. This indicates the game can run well on some configurations.

Mixed Performance Feedback: While some users report smooth performance on various hardware, others experience significant issues, indicating inconsistent optimization. This is a common but vague concern across many clusters.

Low FPS and Stuttering: Players describe animations appearing low FPS and overall game performance feeling jittery, even on high-end settings. This points to potential frame rate stability issues.

FPS Cap and Settings Impact: Users note that the game defaults to a 60 FPS cap on Extreme preset, and achieving higher frame rates like 120 FPS is difficult. Some use workarounds like lossless scaling.

Performance Issues with Many Units: Several players report slowdowns and stuttering when large numbers of units are on screen, regardless of PC specifications or settings. This suggests a potential optimization problem in late-game or large battles.

Mixed price sentiments: Opinions on pricing vary: some find it fair or worth it at full price, while others say it is only worth it at a discount or not worth the price at all. A few mention it is cheaper than expected for what it offers.

Negative reviews and refunds: Some reviewers strongly advise against buying, calling the game a hard pass, not worth time or money, or even requesting a refund. A few describe it as dead-on-arrival.

Recommended for large-scale RTS fans: Many reviewers recommend the game to players who enjoy epic, large-scale RTS battles with reduced micromanagement and a focus on macro strategy. It suits those who prefer strategic planning over click-speed execution.

Positive general recommendations: Many reviewers give a thumbs up and recommend the game overall, sometimes with caveats. Some call it a clear recommendation or worth trying for RTS fans.

Not for RTS veterans: Several reviewers warn that veteran RTS players, especially those used to micromanagement-heavy games like Supreme Commander or Total Annihilation, may not enjoy this game. It is more suitable for newcomers to the genre.

Community fair range: $30.00 - $40.00.

Session length: 1.0h.

Enjoyment is reported most clearly once players move from the campaign/tutorial into skirmish or multiplayer; campaign pacing, weak tutorialization, UI chores, and performance issues are common early friction. Some players still find the RTS pacing and gentle learning curve fun from the start.

Friction: Campaign/tutorial feels boring or pasted-on; No proper tutorial outside the campaign; Poor voice acting in the first mission; Repetitive UI chores when upgrading buildings and towers; Tedious tracking of region resources and support buildings; Poor optimization on even the first tutorial map.

Unlock drivers: Switching to skirmish or multiplayer; Playing the first multiplayer match; Incremental introduction of features and mechanics; Campaign progression improving voice acting.

Disillusioned Depth-Seeking Veteran: High-level large-scale RTS play with combined-arms warfare, base management, and competitive depth. Motivation: Deep, meaningful RTS strategy with unit variety and real improvements over the first game. Stance: no buy.

Fresh-Start Newcomer: Learning through campaign and skirmish, with co-op or friendly multiplayer as a goal. Motivation: An accessible first step into the series and RTS combat without feeling overwhelmed. Stance: buy.

Casual Large-Scale Commander: Combined-arms army management, big sci-fi clashes, and relaxed base management. Motivation: Epic large-scale battles and army management without high click speed or burdensome base micro. Stance: buy.

Performance reports are mostly positive for the 8-11GB and 16GB+ VRAM cohorts, negative for the 12-15GB VRAM cohort due to frame-rate and stability complaints, and mixed for the <8GB VRAM cohort.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: positive. Performance reports are mostly positive, with stable frame rates and no noticeable dips during large battles.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM: negative. Several users report capped or low frame rates, late-game FPS drops, and crashes, with only isolated reports of smooth performance.

Windows <8GB VRAM: mixed. Some users report smooth performance and no crashes, but others report severe late-game stutter, rubber-banding, and slowdowns with large armies.

Steam Deck: The Steam Deck/Linux feedback is dominated by a launch-blocking launcher problem that multiple users describe as severe. Several reviews also state the issue has been officially fixed, and one user reports the game just worked with Proton while noting no Denuvo-style anti-cheat. The current picture is playable with launcher-related caveats rather than a persistent crash or anti-cheat failure, so the friction sits in the tinkering-required range.

Linux and Proton: The available evidence is mostly positive for Linux/Proton compatibility. The game is reported to “just work” with Proton, and the reviewer does not describe broader Linux gaming issues. A MangoHud 53fps reading is noted, but it is not clearly presented as a Linux/Proton compatibility blocker.

AI voice and art usage: Many reviewers note the game uses AI-generated voices, character portraits, and cutscenes, while developers and some reviewers dispute this, claiming human actors and artists are credited.

Comparisons to Supreme Commander: Frequent comparisons to Supreme Commander and its sequel highlight differences in scale, campaign size, visuals, and gameplay; some find it lacking while others note similarities.

Compared to first Ashes game: Reviewers compare the sequel to Ashes of the Singularity, noting improvements in polish, gameplay, and UX, though some find the original better in certain aspects.

Campaign length and content: The campaign consists of 10 missions, is considered short by some, and the story continues in paid DLC rather than the base game.

Favorable price and discounts: Reviewers appreciate the game's fair pricing, often noting it is cheaper than full-price titles and offers good value for the content, especially when purchased at a discount.