[Ashen Dungeon Dev Log #00] Introduction to a Dark Fantasy Dungeon RPG

Hello everyone,
I’m RasEn, the developer of Ashen Dungeon.

I’ve been working on this project behind the scenes for quite some time, and now I’d like to finally share it with you.
Some of you may have already tried an early version during PlayX4 Indie Arcade, but putting everything into words is always a bit tricky. 😊

This post contains a light spoiler about the game’s core fun elements.

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🎮 Game Flow (Overview)

Ashen Dungeon is a dark fantasy RPG where you overcome endless crises while building up your own mercenary company.

As you venture deeper into the dungeon, you’ll constantly face various situations—not just story-driven events, but also functional and system-level challenges.
To survive, you’ll need to carefully consider:

• In which direction should your mercenaries grow to gain a strategic edge?

• How should you manage them to efficiently overcome the next trial?

The fun lies in that constant tension between preparation, choice, and survival.

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🎯 Design Philosophy

I’ve always been a fan of CRPG-style turn-based tactical RPGs.

While playing many great titles, I thought:
“If I can blend the best parts together, wouldn’t it become a delicious mix, like a perfect ‘bibimbap’ of strategy games?”

• Darkest Dungeon → The tension of combat and exploration

• Wartales → The freedom to roam and explore at will

• Valheim → The satisfaction of crafting and growth

By combining these elements, I want to deliver an experience that strategy RPG fans, crafting enthusiasts, and indie game lovers can all enjoy.

On top of that, Ashen Dungeon has its own unique twist:
👉 a combat system driven by dice.

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🎲 Combat & Dice

Combat in Ashen Dungeon is turn-based, with each class carrying its own set of tactical skills tailored to their role.
How you combine these skills greatly affects the strategies available to you.

        

And then comes the extra variable: dice rolls.

• The thrill of landing the exact roll you needed for an Exact Lethal.

• The frustration when the wrong roll makes you miss your defense timing and lose a character.

This emotional swing—between joy and despair—is what makes Ashen Dungeon unique.
As you progress, you’ll also discover ways to control or overcome the dice through your choices, adding yet another layer of strategic depth.

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🏁 Closing Thoughts

Strategic combat, tense exploration, freedom in character growth…
There’s much more in store, but today I just wanted to share a small taste.

I’ll be revealing more details in future dev logs, so please stay tuned.
Your support and feedback mean a lot—thank you! 🙏