Sunset's Ashes

Going on an adventure nowadays is a lot safer than it used to be, mainly because we can count on a variety of gadgets to keep us safe and on the right track. GPS and smartphones are a godsend for those who enjoy exploring the world, although it’s always better to have a companion as well. On the other hand, video games can provide you with unforgettable adventures too, at least if they are designed using the right elements.

Sunset's Ashes is a short kinetic visual novel in which you get to witness the journey of two friends as they climb a mountain and share their past experiences. There’s not a lot of interaction and no actual gameplay mechanics to worry about, but then again, kinetic novels usually rely on story to keep the players engaged, so it shouldn’t come as a shock to see that most of your job is to sit and read.

In essence, the story revolves around Alex and Nic, two friends who are climbing a mountain together. It would appear that this climb is very important to both of them, but saying more than that would ruin the story, so it’s better if you experience it on your own. Thus, these two friends discuss their lives as they make their way to the summit.

The writing is important in a game such as this one, because you cannot distract yourself with something else. Thankfully, the writer did a good job in this regard, even if this is obviously not the type of story that is going to go down in history. However, it has enough flavor to keep you engaged until the end, not to mention the fact that you can choose multiple routes, although they do not affect the ending in any way.

Lastly, the artwork is probably the most striking thing about Sunset's Ashes, because each landscape is gorgeous when it comes to colors and composition. You truly feel like you are fighting against the wind and the snow as the characters make their way to the top, and the view from the summit is breathtaking even in the form of a picture.

All things considered, Sunset's Ashes can be a very pleasant experience if you enjoy short stories with few characters. On the other hand, it would have been better to have more choices and a bigger impact on the plot, because this way the replay value is very low.