Chronos: Before the Ashes (2020)

Developer: THQ Nordic, Gunfire Games
Publisher: THQ Nordic
Platforms: Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure, Arcade
Rating: 3.5 of 5, 16 player ratings
Where to get it: Nintendo eShop

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A brooding, methodical RPG where each death permanently ages your character, shifting from agile youth to wise old age as you explore a haunting labyrinth.

atmosphericdeliberatechallengingadventurousmysteriouscontemplativecyclical

About

Chronos: Before the Ashes is an atmospheric RPG that chronicles a hero's lifelong quest to save their homeland from a great evil. Grow wiser, stronger and more powerful as you explore the depths of the mysterious labyrinth. But beware, the labyrinth takes a heavy toll - each time your hero dies, they lose a year of their life! Every time the player dies they age one year. Player’s must adapt to their advancing age as they progress their character; starting the game young, nimble and quick, and ending wise and more attuned to magic.

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This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.