Krafton's creative studio, Flyway Games, is set to launch its time-manipulating action game 'Ascend to ZERO' on the 13th. The title has been steadily building a following through its consistently well-received demos on Steam. Its core premise—the ability to freeze time—has proven to be a particularly compelling hook that integrates seamlessly with the gameplay, leaving many of us quite eager for the release.

Gamemeca had the rare opportunity to experience 'Ascend to ZERO' ahead of its official debut. It weaves together unique elements rarely seen in action roguelikes, creating a relentless sense of tension and immersion that kept me firmly glued to the screen.

Upon jumping into the game, you are greeted by a cinematic depicting a world on the brink of collapse, where your voxel-based protagonist is thrust into a bizarre dimension. Following the guidance of a colossal machine, you begin to trace the fragments of your own past, eventually unlocking the game's signature 'time-stop' ability to kick off the journey.

'Ascend to ZERO' is an action roguelike. It draws comparisons to 'Vampire Survivors' in the 'bullet hell' subgenre, where weapons fire automatically while waves of enemies swarm you. However, unlike titles confined to a single arena, this game features various rooms with distinct level requirements, allowing you to traverse them freely for farming.

Yet, the defining feature here is undoubtedly 'time'. At the start, you are given a mere 30 seconds. You must carve your way through hordes of enemies to save the world within this window—a mission that feels practically impossible at first glance. While taking down elite monsters or bosses recovers a sliver of time, taking damage that threatens your survival will only serve to drain your clock further.

To overcome this 30-second ticking clock, the protagonist utilizes a special time-stopping ability. When time is frozen, the protagonist can move freely while others are locked in place, though attacks are disabled. This interval is perfect for looting items or dodging projectiles. When you release the freeze, you unleash a special 'Avatar Skill'. Naturally, saving the world in just 30 seconds is a tall order, so upgrading your time capacity through gear and items is highly recommended.

One of the most striking aspects of 'Ascend to ZERO' is the instant hit of dopamine you get from rapid growth. You start with essentially nothing: one equipment slot, one device (accessory), and one piece of armor. Surviving the first 30 seconds is the initial hurdle, so early on, it is far more effective to rely on your Avatar's skills to level up quickly rather than obsessing over gear.

As you accumulate currency and upgrade your passive stats, the zones accessible to you expand significantly. While you might find yourself on the brink of death against level 1,000 enemies early on, you will eventually reach a point where you start your own runs at level 1,000. Even the most critical constraint—the time limit—can be extended through gear and the time machine's stats.

Combat also evolves. Early encounters are centered on dodging enemy patterns and landing your own skills, with weapons and devices acting as mere filler. As stages open up, the importance of weapons grows exponentially. High-tier items often come with unique effects or set bonuses tailored to specific Avatars, and acquiring the right gear can lead to a massive leap in combat efficiency.

The game’s structure is masterfully layered: skills and Avatars define the early game, while items and enhancements drive the mid-to-late game. While your initial victories might feel like a stroke of luck, the mid-game becomes a test of your strategic choices—how you refine your character, how you dodge patterns, and how you select 'Tech Chips' to suit your combat style.

If the game relied solely on grinding stats and gear, it would quickly become monotonous. 'Ascend to ZERO' avoids this by introducing 'Avatars,' which act as classes. These skins do more than change your appearance; they transform your time-stop skill and provide passives suited to specific weapon types. For instance, the 'Sakura Samurai' Avatar uses a iaijutsu-style slash for massive frontal damage, with a passive that increases attack speed for every sword equipped.

Each Avatar has its own utility. Take the 'Cold Moon Hacker,' for example; it boasts high luck-related stats and an Avatar skill that generates coins based on that luck. Mastering this allows for an incredibly wealthy run where currency never seems to run dry.

Items dropped by bosses invite you to pivot your build. If you are running a drone-focused build and stumble upon a mythical-grade firearm, you will naturally want to switch to a character specialized for it. In many RPGs, such a transition would be a clunky chore, but in 'Ascend to ZERO,' you simply step into the Avatar room, swap your outfit, and change your gear to drastically shift your playstyle. It is essentially a transition from an action-heavy roguelike to an RPG-infused one.

Every Avatar demands a different approach. While you aren't strictly locked into specific weapons, you would be remiss to ignore the bonuses they provide. Therefore, the play experience between a 'Sakura Samurai'—a melee warrior wielding six swords—and a 'Golden Gunner'—focused on projectiles and firearms—is vastly different. This constant incentive to experiment with new gear keeps the loop fresh and engaging.

'Ascend to ZERO' launches on PC and Xbox Series X/S on July 13th, with official support for the Korean language.