SoulForged:Ashborn is an anime-style hack-and-slash action RPG set in a post-apocalyptic Seoul. Players take control of the android girl ASH and members of the resistance group ASHBORN as they reclaim the city landmark by landmark one year after the alien legion ARCHALIS overran it in a single day on April 20, 2040.
Gameplay
The core loop blends fast-paced quarter-view hack-and-slash combat against waves of enemies with deliberate, pattern-based boss encounters. Combat requires precise parries, dodges, and counterattacks during the more intense duels. Five weapons are available from the start: longsword, dagger, katana, greatsword, and laser blade. Players chain command-input combos and develop mastery with each weapon to create personal builds without being locked into specific choices for any encounter.
Progression avoids traditional experience points. Instead, strength comes from research and crafting managed at the hidden headquarters. Assigning researchers and engineers unlocks new technologies and forges upgraded gear that directly alters how combat feels in the field. The 30-day countdown tracks advancing terraforming by the invaders, forcing players to balance offensive pushes with occasional headquarters defense battles that put survivors and resources at risk.
Game Modes
The experience centers on a single-player campaign that advances through Seoul's iconic locations such as DDP, Sebitseom, Namsan, Gwanghwamun, and COEX. Within each dungeon area, players alternate between clearing enemy waves in hack-and-slash sequences and engaging in structured boss fights. Headquarters management runs parallel to field operations, requiring decisions on research priorities and defense preparations when the timer advances.
No separate multiplayer or competitive modes appear in the current description of the title. All activity ties into the main narrative progression and the ongoing resistance effort against ARCHALIS forces.
Story and Setting
The narrative follows a silent Professor, the android ASH as she learns about existence, and a resistance built from survivors. Themes of trauma, memory, and personal reinvention unfold across the reclaimed landmarks. The cel-shaded presentation draws from Japanese animation styles to present the ruined yet familiar Seoul environment.
Is It Worth Playing?
SoulForged:Ashborn remains in development with a planned release in 2027. The described systems emphasize weapon variety, research-driven upgrades, and time-pressure management alongside standard action RPG combat. Players interested in anime-inspired visuals, parry-focused boss design, and base-building elements integrated into a linear campaign may find the combination distinctive once the full experience launches. No player reviews or sales data exist at this stage.
