Solar Ashis, at least on a technical level, a bit of a step up from Heart Machine’s previous game:Hyper Light Drifter. When it was first announced in aPlaystation State of Play presentation, players wondered just how expansive their new world was going to be, and whether it would live up to its predecessor.
The game is out now, so players need not wonder any longer.Despite some ofSolar Ash’s shortcomings, it’s still a worthwhile successor toHyper Light Drifter, with an engaging world, story, and mechanics.
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Still, it’s also clear thatSolar Ashwas made by a smaller team. Players shouldn’t go in expecting hundreds of hours of content. But the stuff that is there should be well worth their while.
How Long to Beat Solar Ash
Like in most video games, the amount of time it takes to beatSolar Ashwill vary based on skill, familiarity, and playstyle. For players who just want torush throughSolar Ash’s storyand see the credits,the game can be finished in under 5 hours.
That isn’t the intendedSolar Ashexperience, however. While the game’s fluid movement system is well suited for speedruns,Solar Ash’s setting is an open world filled with secrets and optional achievements. Most players, at least on their first playthrough, won’t be rushing to finish it, but getting lost and combing through the game’s various hidden corners and crevices.
Afull completionist playthrough ofSolar Ashcan last anywhere from 7 to 13 hours, depending on several factors. If a player isstruggling withSolar Ash’s bossesor having trouble finding the game’s hidden caches', then the playthrough will obviously be on the longer end of the spectrum. If they’ve mastered the combat and platforming, and know where to find the extras, it will be on the shorter end.
Heart Machine’s long-time fans might find this time frame disappointing sinceHyper Light Driftergenerally had a more extended playtime. A standard playthrough of that game tended to be about 8 hours, and a full completionist run could easily double that. It’s a fair criticism, especially for the budget-conscious, but it also feels like this claim misses some of the artistic points.
Both of these games are about facing encroaching mortality, featuring protagonists and worlds which are seemingly meeting their end. It can’t last forever, so players should make the best out of what they have.
Solar Ashis available now for PC, Playstation 5, and Playstation 4.
