Of Ash and Steel: Shattered Faith is an expansion for the singleplayer third-person open-world action RPG Of Ash and Steel. Players take on the role of Tristan, a cartographer drawn into an expedition across the island of Grayshaft in search of ancient artefacts left by the Primestriders. The content adds new magic systems, combat options, locations, and encounters while expanding on the base game's focus on exploration, crafting, and choice-driven progression in a fantasy setting without quest markers or enemy scaling.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on methodical third-person combat combined with open-world traversal and resource management. Players select between two magic schools that shape spellcasting and playstyle. The Order of the Seven channels purifying flame for offensive and cleansing effects, while the Free Hunters draw on nature for control and utility spells. New spells integrate with existing abilities to create varied approaches against different enemy types.
Combat gains depth through the poleaxe, a heavy weapon class with three stances that deliver distinct damage profiles. Switching stances mid-fight encourages reading enemy patterns and adapting tactics. Additional mobility tools include an enchanted dagger for short-range blinks and a feather-light glide ability that opens vertical and hidden routes across the terrain.
Exploration rewards careful observation. Six new areas range from the Old Port to a concealed hobster village beneath the canopy, each removed from standard maps and filled with untapped stories. Over fifty random encounters populate the world, offering side narratives and loot. Players can combine twelve perks with fresh weapons and armor, then enchant gear for added magical properties. Those seeking economic independence can form and lead a guild, while downtime features a distinct card game against varied opponents.
Game Modes
The experience remains singleplayer throughout. The base game includes an Arena Master mode that functions as a standalone combat challenge arena separate from the main campaign. Shattered Faith integrates its additions into the existing singleplayer structure without introducing multiplayer elements or separate campaigns.
Story and World
Tristan follows the trail of the Primestriders through Grayshaft's forgotten corners. The narrative explores themes of fate and personal agency as the protagonist uncovers secrets of long-vanished civilizations. New beasts such as the Bogustump, Barreling, and Banshee appear alongside tainted variants of familiar creatures. Studying their behaviors and vulnerabilities becomes essential for survival in these off-map regions.
The setting retains the Kingdom of the Seven's archipelago backdrop, now with deeper focus on Grayshaft's isolated zones. Environmental storytelling and character interactions flesh out the island's history and current tensions.
Is It Worth Playing?
Shattered Faith appeals to players who value deliberate pacing, thorough exploration, and systems-heavy RPG design over streamlined guidance. The additions build directly on the base game's strengths in crafting, perk customization, and faction-aligned magic while introducing tangible new tools like the poleaxe and mobility abilities. Reception for the core title has been mixed, with praise for its scope and content volume alongside criticism of combat feel and navigation. Those drawn to old-school open-world RPGs that emphasize player discovery and consequence will find the expansion's new locations, encounters, and mechanics a natural extension. The DLC remains unreleased as of the latest announcements, with console versions of the base game also planned alongside it.
