“ASKA” is a PC game developed by Sand Sailor Studio and published by Thunderful Publishing, whose “early access version” has been distributed on the Steam store since June 20, 2024. It is a survival craft role-playing game where up to three people can enjoy online cooperative play set in a fantasy world featuring the world of Vikings.
Its main features include a setting that incorporates the world view of Viking mythology, which is popular in the game genre, a game system full of interactive elements that allows you to create a Viking tribe that can stand on its own by experiencing content such as crafting, battles, and hunting while operating in an unforgiving and harsh world, and a multiplayer mode that allows you to experience the real thrill of online cooperative play.
This new game is recommended for people who like playing games that feature the Viking era and worldview, people who are looking for a survival craft game title where they can move freely and take on various actions, and people who like constructive play elements where they work together with close friends to create something.
- Featuring Viking mythology
- Multiplayer for up to 3 players
- Challenging gameplay
New work to survive in the Viking world
“ASKA'', which is currently available in early access on the PC game portal site “Steam'' store, is a recommended new PC game that features the world of “Vikings,'' which has been featured by major publishers in the past. This is a must-see title as it supports online multiplayer for up to three people in addition to solo play.
Players will descend into a beautiful open world filled with dark fantasy elements, and aim to survive and develop their tribe in solo or co-op with up to three players. The goal of the game is to craft while working, try your hand at hunting and fighting animals, and command NPC villagers to create a “tribe that can become self-sufficient.”
The spectacular locations that are different from the real world are also attractive, and combined with the realistic game graphics, you are sure to be able to keep playing for a long time. This is a PC game that is definitely recommended for people who love the atmosphere and worldview of foreign games, and for people who like survival games in general, where you gradually master your survival and grow.
This work is being developed by Sand Sailor Studio, a cutting-edge indie game developer, and published by Thunderful Publishing. Sand Sailor Studio is a small-scale developer made up of only 10 talented people, and is currently working hard on development with the goal of completing the official version in 2025.
At the time of writing, there are a total of 1,101 user reviews on the Steam store, and the game is off to a good start with the overall rating being “somewhat positive.” Many of the users who have lowered the ratings point out the complexity of the game's “controls and systems,” which gives the impression that it doesn't appeal to casual players. We will explore this point in more detail later.
The game comes standard with a Japanese interface and subtitles, making it easy to play even for people who are not good at playing foreign games. It also partially supports operation with Xbox controllers and PlayStation controllers, so even those who usually play games with a controller can feel at ease. Overall, it can be said that this is a game with a low barrier to entry.
Features and appeal of the game
The information about “ASKA” listed here is based on information available at the time of writing, so there is a possibility that there will be discrepancies in the information if updates or changes are made to the game in the future. Above all, it is not uncommon for there to be a “big difference'' in the content between the beginning and end of “Early Access'' games, so please keep this in mind when reading.
The main feature of the work is the Viking fantasy world that incorporates survival craft elements, and the biggest feature is that three players can cooperate with each other during multiplayer. Many survival games have radical systems that result in barren PvP, but this game specializes in PvE, so you should be able to play with confidence.
A PC game with a similar concept to this work is Valheim, developed by Swedish indie game developer Iron Gate Studios, and if you like the worldview and system of that work, you may find it highly compatible with this game's gameplay. Let's fully enjoy the wild world of Vikings.
Elements that make NPCs work
This is a new game that is recommended for those who like to play games with situations that constantly make you feel tense.You can experience the harsh play elements of building your own tribe from scratch while commanding villager NPCs controlled by advanced intelligence, and surviving ancient threats and dark winters while collecting the precious “resources” necessary for survival and prosperity.
It is possible to assign various jobs to villagers in the game, and the point is that you can also experience the aspects of human resource management. In many survival games, it is common for the individual to focus on survival, but in this game, the emphasis is on the development of the “tribe”, so you will be able to enjoy a much different gameplay experience compared to individual play.
There are various types of structures that can be built using crafting elements, such as residences, workshops, mines, farms, and defense facilities, and you can enjoy construction content by demonstrating your own sense while securing resources. It is also possible to customize buildings with functional furniture and various decorative items, so it is definitely recommended for people who are looking for a game that allows them to make the most of their individuality.
Each NPC has its own daily schedule and performs its own actions. To survive in this land, you need rest, food, drink, and interaction with people, and the attraction is that you can feel as if you are living in a “living village.'' The “life cycle” that occurs as the number of buildings increases makes this a very realistic game title.
NPCs can also make “personal requests” to the player, adding to the complexity of play and giving the game a human aspect despite being controlled by AI. Even if you can't play multiplayer, you can still experience the elements of human interaction, so even users who play solo games should be able to enjoy the game while experiencing the game's style.
Also, by giving “training” to NPC villagers, their abilities will improve regardless of combat or occupation. Raising a skilled blacksmith NPC will benefit your tribe, and training a skilled hunter NPC will allow you to explore the world more, collect more materials, and feed your tribe more efficiently. It's full of fun elements.
harsh world
The entire world is procedurally generated, and a realistic and dynamic weather system is also implemented. In this work, the “priority order” of survival changes depending on the season, so it is most important to proceed with the play while having a good plan. While living in an unforgiving environment, be prepared for the “dark winter''.
Battles that occur in the game are skill-based. In this game, where mythical enemy characters also appear, the cycle is such that battles occur during the dangerous winter season, so by then, train NPCs to increase the strength of your tribe, and familiarize yourself with the game system to understand “what will be needed''. A harsh world awaits you.
“ASKA'' is characterized by the fact that it can often be accessed within the game, so it may be a bit difficult for those who have not played games with survival craft elements before. The system is quite complex, so you may be overwhelmed by the number of things you need to do at first glance. Be prepared and continue playing.
In that sense, it is not a game suitable for casual gamers, and it also has the characteristic that if you are not prepared, you will be forced into a corner in the blink of an eye, so it can be said that it is a game suitable for people who can repeat “trial and error” even if things do not go well. This is the perfect game title for those looking for a challenging survival game.
Current status of early access version and prospects for official version
In the words of the development studio, although this is an “early access version,'' it is an “alpha version,'' and it is expected that there will be many adjustments to the game system in the future. If you like playing games that are already completed to a certain extent, it might be a good idea to wait until the development progress of this work has progressed to a certain point before playing.
The current game allows solo play and online multiplayer with up to three players, allowing players to experience crafting and survival elements while developing a self-sufficient colony. It also includes elements that give roles to the NPC villagers explained above, so you should be able to immerse yourself in the game for a long time. The current build is said to be stable, so you can rest assured.
However, it has been stated that if the village is developed greatly, it will affect the performance of the PC, so be careful if you are thinking of creating a huge village while demonstrating your creativity with crafting. The process of “optimization'' will reduce these “heavy depictions,'' but it seems that it will still take a lot of time for this to work perfectly.
There will be at least two major updates during the early access version, and the work is expected to evolve into the “official version” in 2025. It is expected that feedback received from players will be incorporated in the process, and depending on the content of the opinions, it will have a major impact on the gameplay.
Basically, “early access” game works often exist for developers to release an incomplete version of the game to the public and see how players react to it. Also, an important role of the early access version is to collect information about problems and bugs that occur during the playing process, and by setting this period, the game will be refined.
However, recently there has been a lot of one-sided criticism on the Steam store from users who do not properly understand the meaning of this “early access version”. Bugs, glitches, and signs of problems with the game system are common in early access versions, and it is completely wrong to criticize a work based on only those parts. This part is something you should be careful about.
It is also the duty of players who have purchased the “early access version'' to report bugs and glitches that could not be reproduced in the developer's environment, and the more accurate the report, the more useful information can be for the developer. Of course, it is also important to point out where something is wrong with the game system and provide specific suggestions for improvement, and the more actively this is done, the more refined the work will be.
For indie game developers, especially those who are developing games with a small team, the most important thing is the honest opinions and sincere reports of players who have actually played the game, and the process of seeking these things and making the work “better'' is the real pleasure of the “early access version.'' Be sure to understand this point before purchasing.
In addition, there are some games on the Steam store that have been in the “early access” stage and have been abandoned for several years, so it is important to be aware of these games. There are a small number of malicious developers who sell incomplete games without making any improvements, so be sure to check Valve's refund policy and take countermeasures.
In the end, the people who buy and enjoy the “early access version'' are those who can tolerate a certain amount of glitches, and those who have the desire to help indie game developers and bring the product to a “completed state.'' It is by no means a finished product, so if you want to play it in perfect condition, please leave this page now.
Feedback on the game is mainly accepted on the official Discord server. The work has been in closed beta testing many times before it was posted on Steam, so there are currently no major problems with its overall stability. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the work will change based on future feedback and development progress.
Now on sale at early access price
The selling price on the Steam store is 2,800 yen, and it is currently on sale at 2,250 yen, a 10% OFF release commemorative sale price (limited time price until July 12, 2024). By the way, this price is only for early access, and it has been announced that the price will rise dramatically in the official version scheduled for 2025. Those who want it should hurry.
There are a total of 39 types of Steam achievements that can be unlocked, which is quite rich. This is a new PC game title that can be recommended to those who are “achievement hunters” who have unlocked Steam achievements for all the games they have played so far.You can play the game solo or in multiplayer with up to 3 players to experience the harsh world of the Vikings while playing the game to the fullest and unlocking all the achievements.
Please note that there is no information regarding compatibility of this work with the game console “Steam Deck” provided by Valve. One possibility is that the total number of new titles being uploaded to the Steam Store does not match the number of people at Valve checking compatibility, but it is also possible that these titles were not developed to be played on the Steam Deck in the first place.
In the case of kind developers, they have personally tested the game on Steam Deck and published their own reports regarding its consistency and compatibility, but since the developer of this game, Sand Sailor Studio, has not released such information, it is safe for Deck users to assume that there is no possibility that this game can be played on Deck.
System requirements
Regarding the system requirements for “ASKA,'' only the minimum operating environment is presented on the Steam store. According to that, the minimum graphic board is NVIDIA's GTX 1660 class (VRAM 6GB) or AMD's RX 590 class, which could be said to be playable if you have a current low-end gaming PC.
The minimum operating model of the CPU is Intel's i5-6600 class or AMD's Ryzen 5 1600 class, so it can be said that it is a work with a low threshold in terms of processor. The minimum amount of main memory installed is 16GB, which is a common value, and many people should be able to meet this requirement. The installation size is also low at 6GB, but this may increase depending on future development.
PC gamers play games using monitors of various resolutions, so I would have liked to see the specs for the recommended environment if possible, but from the perspective of someone who is making a game with a small team of 10 members, I guess they don't have an environment in place to test play the game on various PC configurations. We look forward to future information disclosure regarding this.
By the way, if your PC monitor has Full HD or higher resolution, WQHD or 4K resolution, and you want to play games at its native resolution, you will need a graphics board with higher specs than what is presented in the store's minimum operating environment. Also, if you are thinking of broadcasting live gameplay videos, consider replacing the CPU with a higher-performance one.
In general, as the resolution of a monitor increases, the load on the graphics board increases, and recording and streaming gameplay also places a heavy load on the CPU. People who are aiming to stream games are likely to have a decent PC environment in place, but those who are planning to stream live games from now on need to pay close attention to their CPU specs.
The reason why the installation size is kept small seems to be due to the way the game's maps are “procedurally generated.” Since play progresses in sessions, it can be said to be superior in that it does not consume memory like AAA class RPG works. Even people who are usually tight on storage can enjoy playing with peace of mind.
The recommended new game “ASKA'', in which you develop your own tribe in a dark fantasy Viking world, is currently being distributed as an “early access version'' on the Steam store. It's a work that I'm very happy with because of its overwhelming element of replay, and the fact that 3 players can play together in online multiplayer as well as solo play is also a high point.
However, it takes a certain amount of time to play, so it can be difficult if you don't have a friend who can spare you some time. If you want to enjoy co-op with this game, the best way to play is to talk to your PC gamer friends about the game's characteristics and playing time in advance, and after getting their consent, invite them to the server.
This title is recommended for those who like the worldview of Viking mythology, and it can be said that it is a work that cannot be missed by those looking for a new survival craft game. Although it is currently an “unfinished” work, the real pleasure of the early access version is that you can be involved in it. If you are interested, please visit the Steam store now and check the game information.
[Recommended points]Depart into the world of Vikings!
Overall review: Can it become a masterpiece of survival games?
“ASKA'' is a new PC game that takes on the challenge of the survival game genre, which is extremely popular on Steam, and is a title that is being developed while skillfully harmonizing user tastes and global trends. There are some parts that are somewhat calculated, such as the inclusion of the Viking world, but the worldview is not “snarky'' and feels comfortable.
I think one of the major reasons why survival games have attracted so many players around the world is that the play unfolds in a way that doesn't go as planned. Games that follow a straight path have a style that allows you to enjoy the game with a certain amount of peace of mind, but in the world of survival, “death'' comes at an unexpected moment, and all the hard work you have put in is often ruined.
I don't know if this is the thinking of a game junkie looking for “more stimulation,'' or if it's just the thinking of an expert who wants a “difficult game.'' However, it is a well-known fact that survival-related works with increasing difficulty tend to attract more attention, and many people have a desire to try such titles.
In order to create a world that is unforgiving, a well-balanced game that doesn't make players feel “unreasonable'' is required, and this can be said to be the place for publishers to “show their skills.'' Please note that what I am referring to here is the adjustment part of the game system, and that it is different from having your home overrun by other users in PvP.
Many game works have a “difficulty level”, and by selecting one according to the player's skill, a big change is created in the gameplay, but there are also survival games where adjusting the difficulty level suddenly creates a difficult development, and this is also a factor that makes the game highly rated. The idea is that the more difficult the challenge, the more worth the challenge.
On the other hand, difficulty is an element that can be a big factor in creating stress, so you need to be very careful how you handle it, but if you can create the perfect balance in this area, your work will go viral. However, on the other hand, if the balance of the work is disrupted, it will not be possible to stop players from leaving the game.
If you look at this work “ASKA'' from this perspective, first of all, the “difficulty'', which is essential for a survival game, is well balanced and just right. The system is somewhat complex, so there may be a lot of dropouts here, but this should seem like a minor issue to those who have played many survival games in the past.
Best of all, this game supports co-op with 3 people. This is a very different element from fighting the difficulty level alone, and because you can play while feeling a sense of community even at a high difficulty level, you can experience a 180-degree different play element emotionally. Of course, if you want to play the game solo, you can proceed solo without any problems.
“Online PvP'', which is a factor that has significantly lowered the value of the survival game genre in recent years, has been omitted, and this also gives a good impression of the work. Even if you don't encounter the “upsetting incident'' where hostile players unreasonably overrun your structures and items, you can say that this game is worth its existence.
If you were to ask me if I would recommend this game as a survival game for everyone, I would say that the aforementioned “complexity of the system'' is a problem. Although there are many players who don't mind this, it is definitely one of the reasons for the low rating, and I feel that there is certainly room for improvement in this area. This is the part I am most concerned about regarding future development progress.
It can be seen that the developers are thinking of controlling the work with their own unique system, rather than relying too easily on the systems of existing game titles, so it is possible that the complexity of the operation will remain the same even in the officially distributed version. Your fundamental evaluation of this work will likely change depending on whether you consider this to be a good thing or a serious flaw in the work.
Now that works are attracting attention, what developers want is to accept “pure opinions” and listen to the words of players who are sending out constructive opinions and ideas, rather than simply listening to users who have “low ratings”. Sometimes players' ideas can provide great hints for game development.
There are many examples on Steam of early access games that have “changed'' after becoming a retail version, and all of them have happened as a result of appropriate user feedback. There isn't much time left for this work, which has the goal of releasing the official version in 2025, so I'd like you to pick and choose what you think and gather a lot of useful opinions.
This game requires patience and effort from the player, as failure to prepare can cause irreversible damage. It's a work that gives you an experience similar to penance, so to speak, but it's a new PC game that can definitely be recommended for those who like that kind of style. It will be a good test of how far your skills will go.
Also, the part where you aim to develop your tribe while taking care of NPCs, rather than living alone, is rewarding, so it can be said that this work is suitable for people who are good at human resource management elements. NPCs can sometimes seem annoying, but they are not finished, so there is still the possibility that future updates will make them even more human-like.
The recommended new game “ASKA'', in which you develop your own tribe in a dark fantasy Viking world, is currently being distributed as an “early access version'' on the Steam store. It's a work that requires guts and perseverance, but it's extremely satisfying and replayable, making it a game that's worth more than its price.
Also, although the play time tends to be long, it is a work that is suitable for live streaming of games, and the scenes where players unite in harsh environments are sure to attract many viewers. For those who have sufficient PC specs and are able to stream, it would be fun to widely share gameplay videos of this game and aim to gain more followers.
If you are interested, please visit the Steam store now and check out detailed game information.
[Recommended points]A survival game that everyone can play!
