Glorious Alpha Two Testers!
Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
Phase I of Alpha Two testing will occur on weekends. Each weekend is scheduled to start on Fridays at 10 AM PT and end on Sundays at 10 PM PT. Find out more here.
Check out Alpha Two Announcements here to see the latest Alpha Two news and update notes.
Our quickest Alpha Two updates are in Discord. Testers with Alpha Two access can chat in Alpha Two channels by connecting your Discord and Intrepid accounts here.
My Personal First Impressions on Alpha 2
TheDarkSorcerer
Member, Alpha Two
**This is my own personal experience and first impressions of the Alpha.**
1. World Design
While a large, expansive world is generally a positive, Ashes of Creation feels too vast for the Intrepid team to effectively populate. The world lacks density and visual intrigue, leaving large stretches feeling lifeless. For launch, I hope Intrepid adopts a "15-second rule," as seen in games like Guild Wars 2 or Hogwarts Legacy. This rule ensures players encounter something eye-catching or engaging every 15 seconds, such as events, side quests, or environmental storytelling. Without this, the world risks feeling like an open layout home—hard to decorate and devoid of charm, compared to the cozy, engaging design of smaller spaces.
2. Visuals
This being my first Alpha experience, I didn’t initially realize that Intrepid's monthly showcases are aspirational rather than representative of the current state of the Alpha. The vibrant, lush version of Verra presented in older showcases feels like a distant dream when compared to this desaturated, color-lacking Alpha build. The graphics appear significantly downgraded, with textures and details not matching what was previously advertised. Old thread of mine regarding art direction of Ashes: https://forums.ashesofcreation.com/discussion/59863/visual-art-direction-of-aoc-concern/p1
Compared to recent games like New World (2021) and their new rebrand, Ashes of Creation falls short in terms of graphical fidelity. The world design lacks a distinct style or visual identity that sets it apart. As someone with 14 years of brand marketing expertise, I feel Ashes needs to establish a stronger visual "signature" that players can immediately associate with the game. Currently, it doesn’t stand out.
3. Questing
This aspect feels particularly rough. While I understand that Alphas are works in progress, I expected at least basic introductory quests to function for feedback purposes. Instead, most quests are broken, unclear, or lack proper guidance. The UI is confusing, with tasks failing to check off upon completion. Map icons lack clarity, and their sizes don’t adjust when zooming in or out. Overall, questing feels frustrating and unintuitive in its current state.
4. Skill Visuals
The execution of skills is functional, but their visual design could benefit from more stylization. They still feel flat and overly 2D, missing the kind of polish and flair that could make them visually memorable.
5. Character Animation
The running animation needs significant improvement. Currently, the character runs with a posture reminiscent of Jack Sparrow, with the chest leaning back and legs leading. A natural run should have a slight forward lean with the chest driving the motion. This change could greatly enhance the immersion and realism of movement.
Final Thoughts
As an Alpha, Ashes of Creation is understandably a work in progress, but some core areas feel underwhelming compared to expectations set by prior showcases. While the game shows promise, I believe it needs more focused world design, polished visuals, functional questing systems, and refined animations to truly compete with other MMORPGs. I remain optimistic about the future of Ashes, but there's a long road ahead for Intrepid Studios to meet its ambitious goals.
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Comments
Whenever i leave Aela and approach the Roads between the Nodes, i totally get what You mean.
You could even widen the 15 Seconds Rule to 60 Seconds and it would still be an Improvement. While i am totally aware that the Game is an Alpha,
it feels very empty at times when i travel through the Riverlands. It is the complete Opposite of for Example Elwynn Forst in World of Warcraft - where the whole Landscape is packed full with Trees.
I really hope they put lots and LOTS of more Stuff into the Riverlands over Time. No matter if it will still take Years to do so.
That got me as well.
However -> since dear Intrepid upped the Graphic after the first Two(?) Spot-Test Weekends -> and since i upgraded to a very powerful, very new Graphic Card,
i think the Alpha Two looks absolutely gorgeous and amazing. Yes - EVEN WITH the still so very empty Kae'lar Riverlands. The Potential of this Game in Development is immense.
This is why keep hoping -> that dear Intrepid will GREATLY up* and improve the Game over the Course of the whole Alpha Two - towards the Beta,
so that the Game rightfully resembles what it could be -> and what it should be.
I am confident if we the Players - could have the Option of switching between the ingame World looking "COMPLETELY BARREN" -> and completely like in the monthly Presentations from before,
and let there be for Example a whopping Twelve to TWENTY-FOUR or so Steps and Places between how much visual Density there is - regarding everything that has not a Texture You could not go through,
like for Example Walls or Trees or whatever -> then Please by all means let us have that. Let us have the Options. Even if most Computers all around the World will not be able to switch to Maximum Settings regarding Graphics in the next Ten to Fifteen Years or above.
You said everything which i would also said - but in better. 🫡 . 🫡 . 🫡
100% signed.
There is still a LOT of Room for Improvement. Althrough i already notice slight changes.
So much Yes. The Character looks pretty stiff. Same as for Example the Horse Mount.
The Animations for Movement should be still polished and fleshed out as well.
Absolutely.
Sir Steven said that this current State in Time is the LOWEST or worst(?) State the Game will ever be in.
And i understand what he means, i think.
This is the roughest Start of all time. And i assume we can expect actual Improvements only later on, during the Middle to late Phase Two - and of Course over Phase Three.
✓ Occasional Roleplayer
✓ Guild is " Balderag's Garde " for now. (German)