Flyway Games, a subsidiary of Krafton, is taking a fresh swing at the roguelike action genre with 'Ascend to Zero', set to launch on July 13th for PC and Xbox Series X/S. The premise is suitably grim: humanity is on the brink after an alien onslaught, and you are the last survivor tasked with hopping back through time to rescue your lost comrades and set the timeline right.

Ascend to Zero stitches together familiar roguelike foundations with a heavy dose of action and tactical depth. The real hook, however, is the unique 'time-stop' mechanic. By blending the inherent unpredictability of the genre with the ability to freeze reality, the developers have crafted a combat loop that feels refreshingly distinct from your run-of-the-mill titles.

At first glance, Ascend to Zero sports a 'bullet heaven' style, or what some might call the 'Vampir' genre, where your weapons fire automatically, leaving you to focus entirely on positioning and dodging. It looks standard enough, but the team has introduced a ticking clock to keep things spicy.

You are granted a mere 30 seconds to survive the initial onslaught, but don't panic just yet. Every major foe you fell adds precious seconds to your timer, meaning if you are skilled enough, you can stretch a skirmish into an epic 20-minute slog.

When the pressure mounts, your ultimate tool is the time-stop skill. It puts the entire world on ice, leaving only your protagonist moving. It has a cheeky 5-second cooldown, but otherwise, there is no penalty for using it.

There is a catch: you cannot deal damage while time is frozen. Instead, use these quiet moments to scout the field, vacuum up experience orbs, and reposition for a devastating counter-attack. The secret to success lies in knowing exactly when to freeze the world and when to unleash hell.

Unlike your typical roguelike, death is not a total reset. When you return to base, you keep your weapons, armour, and currency. Only temporary level-ups and specific consumable buffs are wiped. It is a forgiving loop that ensures you are never truly set back to zero.

Every character starts with basic gear, but the shop offers everything from axes to sniper rifles. As you invest your hard-earned loot to expand your gear slots, you can wield multiple weapons simultaneously for maximum chaos. Customising your build with rare parts and garnets found in the field is where the real fun begins.

The real variables are the 'Tech Chips' you loot from fallen enemies. These can completely flip the script on how you play—some sacrifice your time-stop entirely for raw speed, while others trade time for pure damage. It is all about crafting a unique build for every run.

Your 'Avatar' serves as both your look and your class, providing specific bonuses that dictate your playstyle. Whether you prefer getting up close with melee or picking off targets from afar, matching your Avatar to your special tech is key to mastering the game.

As you drag your companions back through time, your desolate base starts to feel like home again. These characters aren't just for show; they open up new shops and facilities, providing essential support for your future runs.

Each companion brings something to the table: 'Seith' supplies gear, 'Gabriella' gives you a head-start on your timer, 'Javier' helps manage your currency and loot, and 'May' focuses on boosting your base stats.

Tactical advice: do not rush into high-difficulty zones immediately. Start with low-level bosses to farm time and buffs. Once you have built up enough strength, you will be much better equipped to handle the late-game mayhem. Best of luck, survivor!