In newly launched Ascend to ZERO, every second matters. The time-bending action roguelite from Flyway Games has officially launched today on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and day one on Xbox Game Pass, bringing with it one of the more distinctive twists we’ve seen in the genre this year. Rather than simply dodging attacks and stacking upgrades, players can freeze time mid-combat, reposition, rethink their next move, and turn what looked like certain defeat into a perfectly executed counterattack.
To begin with, the game may feel familiar. You’ll battle through runs, unlock new equipment, experiment with different builds, and gradually become stronger over multiple attempts. The difference is how time itself becomes another resource to manage. Every expedition takes place against a strict countdown of 30 seconds, forcing you to balance exploration, combat, and progression while making the most of every precious second.
As your bunker grows and new allies are rescued, additional upgrades and systems gradually expand what you’re capable of on future runs.
More Than Just Another Action Roguelite
What really helps Ascend to ZERO stand out is the amount of freedom it gives players to experiment. Six playable avatars each bring their own combat style, while weapons, Tech Chips, equipment, and abilities can be combined into dramatically different builds depending on how you like to play.
Want to dart around the battlefield as a glass cannon? Go for it.
Prefer something slower with heavier firepower? That’s an option too.
The time-freeze mechanic ties everything together, creating encounters that reward planning just as much as quick reactions.
If you spent time with the demo during Steam Next Fest or one of the public playtests, there’s plenty of new content waiting in the full release. Flyway Games has also confirmed that it will continue supporting the game with updates and hotfixes following launch while gathering community feedback.
Every Run Builds Towards the Next
Like the best roguelites, Ascend to ZERO isn’t just about surviving a single expedition. Every successful run feeds back into a growing network of permanent progression, giving you more tools to tackle the increasingly dangerous world waiting outside your bunker.
As you rescue survivors and expand your base, new upgrades, equipment, and abilities gradually become available, allowing you to shape future runs in completely different ways. One expedition could focus on aggressive melee combat, while the next leans into ranged attacks or a carefully planned combination of Tech Chips and abilities. That steady sense of progression gives every defeat a purpose and makes discovering a new build just as rewarding as reaching the end of a run.
It’s this combination of permanent progression and moment-to-moment decision-making that gives Ascend to ZERO its identity. The time-freezing mechanic may be what first grabs your attention, but it’s the constant experimentation with new weapons, upgrades, and strategies that’s likely to keep players coming back long after the opening hours.
Why Not Grab the Supporter Pack Too
Today’s release also comes with the optional Supporter Pack for players looking to back the developers. Rather than adding gameplay advantages, it includes six exclusive gold character skins, one for each playable avatar.
Ascend to ZERO has been building momentum for months thanks to its demos and public playtests, and now players can finally experience the complete adventure. If you’ve been waiting for a new action roguelite that brings more to the table than simply bigger numbers and stronger weapons, this is one game you’ll want to add to your library.