Century: Age of Ashes
Century: Age of Ashes
Développé et édité par Playwing sur Unreal Engine 4, Century: Age of Ashes est sorti le 2 décembre 2021 sur PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S ainsi que sur terminaux mobiles Android et iOS. Classé dans l'aventure, ce titre free-to-play propose des combats aériens multijoueur où les joueurs chevauchent des dragons dans des arènes fermées, le gameplay misant sur la vitesse et l'intensité des affrontements en équipes de trois à six joueurs ou en chacun pour soi.
Le cœur de l'expérience repose sur le choix d'une classe de dragonnier, chacune dotée de capacités distinctes : le Gardebrise orienté soutien et protection, le Maraudeur spécialisé dans la traque, le Spectre axé sur la furtivité et les pièges, ou encore le Maître-Orage qui déchaîne des attaques de zone. Quatre modes de jeu structurent les parties : le Carnage, un match à mort par équipes 6v6 agrémenté de bonus ; le Raid, où deux équipes de six s'affrontent pour capturer un drapeau et le faire passer par des portes ; le Pillage, qui demande de voler de l'or à des créatures et aux adversaires tout en défendant son repaire ; et enfin la Survie, un battle royal aérien opposant neuf joueurs jusqu'à ce qu'il n'en reste qu'un. La personnalisation est purement cosmétique, permettant de débloquer skins d'armes, d'armures et de dragons via l'expérience accumulée.
Le titre suit un modèle de saisons, la troisième, intitulée « Path of the Beast », ayant introduit la classe Rimeblood, une nouvelle carte nommée SnaerFell Rift, une saison classée PvP, huit tomes de lore développant l'univers ainsi qu'une séparation mécanique entre le cavalier et sa monture. Un Dragon Pass propose plus de soixante-dix éléments de personnalisation supplémentaires.
Côté réception, le jeu affiche une note agrégée de 70,23. La presse a salué le concept et la réalisation, Multiplayer.it soulignant la sensation unique de voler en dragon et Screen Rant qualifiant l'expérience de « gorgeous » et « unbelievably fun » dans son état actuel. Du côté des joueurs, l'accueil est plus contrasté : si le gameplay aérien est souvent décrit comme prenant et dynamique, plusieurs avis pointent un nombre de cartes jugé insuffisant, un matchmaking perfectible, des mécaniques parfois décevantes et une évolution perçue négativement au fil des mises à jour, certains évoquant même un aspect « pay to win » contredisant la promesse initiale d'objets purement cosmétiques.
Médias
Avis des critiques et joueurs
Critiques de la Presse (Metacritic)
« Anyone who chews a bit of fantasy can never have imagined what it can be to fly on the saddle of a dragon shooting fireballs and spinning free in the air. Finally the dream becomes (partially) reality. »
« In its current state, Century: Age of Ashes is a gorgeous game with a solid concept and premise that is unbelievably fun to play, and developers at Playwing have set it up with plenty of room to grow. The different match types are high-energy, with tight and exciting combat to suit a variety of playstyles. Co-op game modes like Spoils of War and Gates of Fire are clear standouts with their focus on more cooperative play and clearer objectives for teams beyond killing opponents. The microtransactions that are present allow players to pay to look cool and collect new gear and dragon styles, but not to win, which is a breath of fresh air given the state of most free-to-play online gaming models. Century: Age of Ashes deserves to be recognized for its polish and stellar execution from day one and is definitely a game that fans of fast-paced and energetic PvP should keep an eye on. »
« Century: Age of Ashes combines a great mix of ideas for an approachable, fun free-to-play game. »
« As much as I enjoyed my time in Century : Age of Ashes, I do have wonder how much staying power it will have. Since all classes are viable in each mode, I suspect many players may stick with one character class, get invested, and not explore the rest of what the game has to offer. As an example, I found myself only switching to other classes if the daily mission or hatching a dragon egg specifically required it. Also, due to the limited amount of content that is currently present, a busy player will see nearly everything within a couple of hours. Despite those concerns, the game looks great, each class is enjoyable to play, and each match is maybe 20 minutes at most — perfect for quick sessions. »
« Most unique game I've played in a long time. The overall presentation of the game is really good. The game would have been perfect if matchmaking wasn't so broken. »
« Century: Age of Ashes has crisp visuals and smooth controls combined with an interesting spin on classic modes. Although, it has the potential to provide more enjoyment once it has more balance and more content. »
« By leveraging aerial multiplayer dragon-back combat, Century of Ashes dusted off the genre and proves that free-to-play can be ambitious. Visually stunning and blessed with excellent artistic direction, he is only entering the dawn of his career, but enjoying fun fashions, charismatic characters and majestic dragons. Without pushing to buy, the game is counting on its community to grow and the future looks so bright that we want to follow its course carefully. »
« I really did like Century: Age of Ashes. It’s been a long time since I just sat and sank a few hours into an aerial combat game, and this one did not disappoint. Hopefully, some changes will come soon and I’ll be able to continue to enjoy flying my dragon and taking out my enemies. »
Avis des Joueurs (Metacritic)
« With way to few maps to choose from Century: Age of Ashes unfortunately falls somewhat short short of what it should've delivered. Luckily the great aerial combat and fun game mechanics help elevate this game from just feeling like any other generic dogfighting game. Still you'll probably have seen everything this game has to offer after about 12 hours. »
« Unsatisfying mechanics mixed with an abomination of a matchmaking system. The pay to win aspect is strong too. Trash all around. »
« "Century: Age of Ashes" - came up with a good idea that hasn't been here for a long time. The last time when I experienced it was in the "Drakan" series from "Surreal Software" Perfect story and unforgettable multiplayer and now, after all these years, I experienced something similar.. The game is intense and the gameplay fast. It is up to you whether you immerse yourself in the fight alone or with friends. You have a variety of modes from: Carnage: 6v6 to Survival: 4v4v4 "Century" had a lot of players in the beginning, but gradually it disappeared. I have no idea why, maybe issues on release.? Although I didn't come across any. Only my friend had unresponsive control issue, but he has **** internet connection so that's his problem. I don't have to mention microtransactions. Whoever wants can support the developer and get something nice. Otherwise, in the game, the cosmetic items is obtained by leveling / completing the challenges for which the player is rewarded, lovely - I get a reward for playing my game. I see a mess in the absence of content on start. The game has after 6 months only 4 maps and 1 of them only for 3v3 it quickly loses magic and starts to be repetitive, and it doesn't and it doesn't add points to fights either. There are quite a few game modes, although someone calls for PvE which i don't think it would be fun. Another problem is "matchmaking" which calmly throws a new player against an experienced player, but no wonder when there are few players which cheche! F2P probably does. I don't understand why the game is F2P, this could come out as a full-product, and it would avoid all the puppets who jump after everything what is free! Updates and fixes should come as soon as possible otherwise it could everything go wrong.! I don't recommend the game yet, but you can try it. »
« FORCES ONE JOYSTICK TO ALWAYS BE INVERTED!!! Devs must be brain-dead. This moronic oversight or simple hubris to force inverted onto the player with no options to change it will drive away most players. Unless changed this is a HARD PASS! »
« Pros- Graphics are incredible Sound design is great Gameplay is well balanced Fun combat Cons- The variety in cosmetics and maps feels lacking The dragons can take up too much of the screen sometimes and it makes it hard to see what is happening »
« This game is **** the matchmaking and beggining of game is broken i cant survive more than a 2 seconds as begginer but when i start playing more i notice that game is realy boring you have the same abilities and "special" what are still bad and deal not a lot of dmg you shouldnt play that if tou want to have a good time »
« Absolutely love this game. It takes some time to understand the game modes like spoils of war, and the movement but once you understand these the game really feels amazing to play. I hope there's a bright future for this game, include some form of competitive scene. There really is no other game like it. »
« A great looking and well-made game that a look forward to playing more of, but there are two problems I have, 1. The flame breath once locked onto you is near impossible to dodge and you will just get incinerated, figuratively and literally. 2. It would have a lot more replayability if it had more content. One suggestion would be a mode where when your dragon dies you fall to the ground and fight with the weapons that your characters have. Give use to the cosmetic items. »
