Get ready to align your chakras and sharpen your mind—Ascend, a beautifully meditative puzzle adventure steeped in astrology, tarot, and mysticism, is set to release on PC via Steam on August 28, 2025. Developed by indie studio Miami Avalon, Ascend invites players on a journey that’s equal parts spiritual and cerebral, with a playable demo arriving just ahead of launch during Steam Next Fest this June.
In Ascend, you play as Aurora, a lone traveler seeking to reverse the downfall of her world by scaling a sacred, otherworldly mountain. Along the way, you’ll confront intricate zodiac-based puzzles, harness celestial forces, and uncover ancient lore left behind by pilgrims who came before. The path to salvation is paved with brainteasers, personal reflection, and cosmic insight.
Each trial is tied to a constellation, and solving them requires more than just logical thinking—you’ll need patience, observation, and a willingness to think beyond the material world. Aurora’s time-turning ability lets you shift between Day, Twilight, and Dusk, changing your surroundings and unlocking hidden paths, relics, and long-forgotten stories.
With a narrative that leans into themes of anxiety, introspection, and balance, Ascend encourages players to slow down and reflect. It’s not just about solving puzzles—it’s about discovering yourself, too.
Key Highlights:
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Zodiac Puzzles & Tarot Vibes: Every challenge is linked to the stars, enriched with tarot-inspired art and rich astrological symbolism.
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Time-Bending Exploration: Use Aurora’s unique ability to shift time and explore how the world—and its secrets—transform with each phase of the day.
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A Meditative Journey: As Aurora climbs higher, her reflections deepen, pulling you into a story about emotion, mythology, and meaning.
If you’re into narrative-driven puzzle games with a spiritual twist—think The Witness meets Journey with a dose of Tarotica Voo Doo—this one should absolutely be on your radar.
Ascend launches August 28, 2025, for Windows PC on Steam. Try the demo during Steam Next Fest and add it to your wishlist now to follow Aurora’s path through the stars.