FAQ
Of Ash and Steel is an immersive third-person open-world RPG created by a passionate team that values both 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.
How long is the game?
The main story takes around 40 hours, while full completion can take up to 100 hours.
The intro feels too slow — I want to fight sooner!
The early game is meant to start small and grounded, since Tristan, the main character, begins as a cartographer, not a warrior. The slow beginning gives contrast and weight to the moment when everything goes wrong and he’s forced to fight.
If you want early combat, you can challenge Fish in the prologue to try out the basics.
Combat feels clunky, and stamina drains too fast!
Tristan is not a trained fighter at the start, so his attacks are slower and his stamina is intentionally limited. Learning to manage timing, stance, stamina, and parries is part of his growth. As you and Tristan improve, combat becomes more fluid and powerful.
There’s not much crafting at the beginning.
Your first crafting recipe can be found at Nerest’s hut, where you can upgrade your starting shirt. Helping a wounded hunter nearby unlocks a potion recipe as well, and more options open as you level up. Crafting stations are available early, such as the alchemy table in the graveyard keeper’s shack.
I got lost! There’s no map or quest markers.
Of Ash and Steel encourages navigation through NPC hints, journals, notes, and observation rather than relying on traditional quest markers. A map becomes available after Chapter 1, and you can add your own notes to it. Since Patch 1.08, map markers can also be made active, which makes them appear on the compass.
I lost an item. What should I do?
Patch 1.08 fixed an issue where some picked-up items, including reusable quick-slot items, could disappear under specific conditions. If an item is already missing, you can restore it with the command Shift + F12 > AddItemID (ID). Item IDs can be found in the official Of Ash & Steel item database.
The enemies are too strong!
The game follows a classic old-school RPG philosophy where the world doesn’t scale to your level. Early enemies can be dangerous until you improve your gear and skills. Sometimes, the best strategy is to return later when you are better prepared.
The game feels slower than I expected.
Of Ash and Steel focuses on a slower, more immersive style where exploration and player choices matter more than speed. The world is meant to be discovered on foot through curiosity and attention rather than fast travel. Every discovery is earned, and progress reflects your personal journey.
Are there different factions to join?
Yes — several factions and guilds become available as you progress. Your preferred playstyle (combat, stealth, exploration, etc.) determines which ones will suit you best.
Are there mini-games or activities?
Yes. Activities like regional challenges, optional fights, crafting, and in-world mini-games can be discovered naturally as you explore.
Will you continue to support the game after launch?
Definitely — we are planning on rolling out patches and updates to improve the game. More content or DLC? We are also happy to consider it at some point.
Does the game have controller support?
Yes. Gamepad support has been available since launch, and Patch 1.08 includes major improvements to controller responsiveness and UI navigation. The update addresses many reported controller issues, especially for the default Xbox One gamepad layout. Some rough edges may still remain. If you are playing through Steam and the controls feel incorrect, click the gamepad icon in the Steam panel and make sure the correct input profile is selected, as an older preset may sometimes remain active. For PlayStation gamepads, please try disabling Steam Input in Steam settings. This may also help with some non-Xbox gamepads. For the best experience, please make sure the game is updated to the latest version.
Will it arrive on consoles in the future?
Our team will definitely consider this possibility after the PC launch.
Will more languages be added to the game?
Translating the game to more languages is something we are always happy to consider, especially if we see demand for a specific language. However, it is more likely for us to add subtitles rather than a full voiceover for potential new languages.