Ashen

I've played all From Software games except Sekiro. Ashen isn't Dark Souls by any means but it's still a great game. There is no way to say that it is objectively a bad game, as some describe in their negative reviews. It's a "souls-like" no "Dark Souls".
Due to the mixed reviews, I almost didn't buy the game and in hindsight missed out on a really special, immersive and atmospheric experience. In fact, I'm willing to think that, in my opinion, Ashen is one of the most underrated titles on Steam.
Don't let the mixed Steam reviews fool you.

I have no idea why this has a mixed rating, well maybe a couple, first your AI companion is pretty dumb but kind of a meat sponge too, you learn to deal.
Multiplayer is not set up great for randoms.
Get passed all that and you have one of the best souls like games.
Exploring is encouraged and rewarded with the same pay off as Dark Souls
Where it does things a little different is as you do npc side and main quests you actually get
to recruit them back to your main village to finish buiding the village and to become proper vendors.
The in game currency functions the same as souls like if you died and can not make it back to your body you lose it.
But in Ashen you get to buy pots that store currency with a fee,want to save 250 it going to cost you 300 but you
will not lose it.
Also there is fast travel about a third into the game, not every post can be traveled to, but most can.
Combat is a little different, but when you get it, is rewarding, having a companion whose quest you are on go
with you is pretty cool too.
Is it worth full price, I would say yes, but there are always sales on GMG or Fanatical for 75% off then it's a steal.
Don't get me wrong the game will piss you off at times, but it worth pushing through to see it's greatness.

I love Ashen and have played through it several times on Epic Games, hence the few hours on Steam at time of writing.
Elephant in the room, Ashen seems to get bad rep for two main reasons:
1) It looks like Absolver, but it is nothing like Absolver. This is true, but nothing about the game's promotion would lead you to think otherwise?
2) It looks like Dark Souls, but it is not much like Dark Souls. For one, unlike FromSoft games, it is designed specifically so you and your friend can play through the whole thing in one go, instead of having to constantly bonfire back and forth. It 100% benefits from being played that way, as opposed to playing it on your own and bumping into people at tough spots as one might be inclined to do.
This decision seems to me to compliment another essential difference; in the Game of Thrones/Dark Souls era of grim-dark "actually all options are bad, you idiot, you fucking buffoon, and being anything other than cynical makes you a moron", Ashen dares to have a heart.
Think of it as if Dark Souls was inspired by Shuna's Journey instead of Berserk.
Understandably disappointing if you are looking for Absolver's unique fighting system or Souls' series sense of oppression and desperation.
Excellent, one of a kind game if you're looking to share a wondrous journey with a friend or significant other.
There's nothing else quite like it out there, save maybe Outward, and what it strikes out to do it does wonderfully.

if your game crashes instantly (or within 5 minutes of launching) it's because of an old intel bug related to OpenSSL 1.2, which is used by the unreal engine version that this game runs on. It occurs when you have a 10th or 11th gen intel cpu.
From what i could find there's no permanent solution for this, however i did find this workaround that fixes it:
Step 1. Open "Control Panel" by searching for it in Windows search bar, by pressing the Windows button or key.
Step 2. Go to "System & Security"
Step 3. Go to "System"
Step 3. Press "Advanced system settings"
Step 4. Press "Environmental Variables"
Step 5. Create a new "System Variable" (NOT USER VARIABLE)
Step 6. Enter the following into the Variable name box: OPENSSL_ia32cap
Step 7. Enter the following into the Variable value box: ~0x20000000
Step 8. Now press OK.
you may need to restart your system for the changes to take effect.
From what i can tell this doesn't affect your system at all, as you simply add another variable.
In case you do want to check up on this however, you can check the following intel article that goes into the specifics
Game is pretty good btw :^)

If your cpu is 10th gen or newer, it will keep crashing so do this to fix it:
Co-op does work but it takes a bit to work. I think its a great game but I would recommend getting it on sale.

Elden ring for 40 year old dads with no time to play.

After playing Ashen for over 22 hours, I can confidently say that it is one of the most captivating and atmospheric games I have ever played. This action RPG game takes place in a beautifully crafted, hand-drawn world, and features a stunning art style that will leave you breathless.
The gameplay in Ashen is smooth and fluid, with a seamless blend of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The combat system is satisfying, with a range of weapons and skills to master, and the enemies you face are varied and challenging. The exploration is also a highlight, with hidden secrets and surprises waiting around every corner.
But what truly sets Ashen apart is its world-building and storytelling. The game features a captivating narrative that is expertly woven into the gameplay, with characters that are both memorable and well-developed. The world itself is also rich and vibrant, with a deep lore that is gradually revealed as you progress through the game.
Another standout feature of Ashen is its co-op multiplayer. Playing with friends adds an extra layer of excitement to the game, as you work together to tackle challenging enemies and uncover hidden secrets.
Overall, Ashen is an exceptional game that is well worth the investment. With its captivating world-building, satisfying gameplay, and stunning visuals, it is an experience that will stay with you long after you finish playing. If you're a fan of action RPGs or simply enjoy a good story-driven game, then I highly recommend giving Ashen a try.