Playtest report preview
Ashen SwarmWhat streamers ran into on Twitch
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Gothic bullet heaven roguelite where deadly sins become weapons.
We listened to 8 Twitch streams of Ashen Swarm (8h in total). The problem that came up most: tempter deal corruption and oath rules are not understood, in 2 of 8 streams.
8 Twitch streams · 8h analysed · Russian, English, French · analysed in the week of 19 Oct 2026 · Steam page
- Problems
- 39
- Ideas
- 5
- Highlights
- 10
Each problem, idea and highlight counts once, however often it came up. The timeline counts every moment: 86 in all.
Where the moments happened
Grey bars show when the streamer was talking. Each mark is one reported moment; select a type below to hide or show it.
- Stream 1, 1h analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
- Stream 2, 1h analysed: 4 problems, 3 highlights.
- Stream 3, 1h analysed: nothing specific enough to report.
- Stream 4, 1h analysed: 12 problems, 4 suggestions or comparisons, 1 highlight.
- Stream 5, 1h analysed: 15 problems, 1 suggestion or comparison, 1 highlight.
- Stream 6, 1h analysed: 18 problems, 4 suggestions or comparisons, 7 highlights.
- Stream 7, 1h analysed: 8 problems, 4 highlights.
- Stream 8, 1h analysed: 1 problem, 2 suggestions or comparisons, 1 highlight.
Problems (39)
Bugs, confusion, frustration and the moments players gave up. The ones most streams ran into come first.
- #6Confusion
tempter deal corruption and oath rules are not understood
2 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #7Confusion
guide arrow toward the tempter is easy to overlook
2 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #23Frustration
reaching the skill slot cap forces an awkward drop choice
2 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #1Bug
audio too loud and volume setting seems to have no effect
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #8Confusion
artifact awakening has no clear control and mixed demo messaging
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #9Confusion
skill slots and challenges are poorly explained
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #24Frustration
early runs end fast against burning enemies
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #25Frustration
no option to invert the camera
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #26Frustration
sound effects feel unfinished
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #27Frustration
healing pickups too scarce or out of reach at low health
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #28Frustration
enemy designs lack a coherent style
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #29Frustration
level up and upgrade texts too long to read mid run
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #30Frustration
meta upgrade prices climb steeply after a few ranks
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #31Frustration
reroll appears broken when no cards remain
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #39Quit
lacks a distinct identity among similar shooters
1 of 8 streams · 3 moments
3 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #2Bug
character select screen looks glitchy
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #3Bug
drone attached at incorrect angle to player
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #4Bug
no visible cursor in settings menu with controller
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #5Bug
missing word in french tutorial text
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #10Confusion
hard to tell which offered skills are already owned
1 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #11Confusion
unclear where to go in the hub to start a run
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #12Confusion
negative attack interval percentages read as a penalty
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #13Confusion
some skill descriptions are unclear about what they do
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #14Confusion
unclear run goals and where to go early on
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #15Confusion
unclear why a sanctum area cannot be entered
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #16Confusion
ash currency and upgrade shop not explained before first visit
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #17Confusion
mouse and movement key roles unclear at start
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #18Confusion
automatic attacks not obvious despite tutorial text
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #19Confusion
effigy forms explanation does not land
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #20Confusion
pickup radius does not pull nearby healing orbs
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #21Confusion
in run events trigger without being noticed
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #22Confusion
unclear that some characters cannot jump
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #32Frustration
camera jumpy and distance cannot be changed in a run
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #33Frustration
button prompts too small with no option to resize
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #34Frustration
threadweaver has nice range but slow basic attack
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #35Frustration
scenery blocks movement or traps the player
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #36Frustration
boss kill gives no reward
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #37Frustration
only two characters playable in demo
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #38Frustration
loud voiced character greets the player abruptly at run start
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
Suggestions and comparisons (5)
What players asked for, and which games they compared yours to.
- #40Suggestion
wish for a mobile version
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #41Comparison
reminds players of megabonk and risk of rain
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #42Comparison
darker look and more story than other survivor games
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #43Comparison
movement and look recall other horde roguelites
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #44Comparison
active hero skill sets it apart from the genre
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
What landed (10)
Moments players clearly enjoyed.
- #45Highlight
voice acting for characters is a pleasant surprise
2 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #46Highlight
build skills like mud, spit, ignite and orb pull feel good
1 of 8 streams · 4 moments
4 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #47Highlight
likes the visual style and environment details
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #48Highlight
sin weapons and upgrade cards feel fun
1 of 8 streams · 2 moments
2 quotes + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #49Highlight
opening and main menu make a good first impression
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #50Highlight
upgrading at the architect feels good
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #51Highlight
carpet bombing skill is fun to use
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #52Highlight
satisfying ash payout after a run
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #53Highlight
crow companion collecting experience is useful
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report - #54Highlight
demo launches quickly with no wait
1 of 8 streams · 1 moment
1 quote + ▶ timestamps in the full report
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