The cyberpunk action RPG The Ascent was a surprise hit back in 2021, and fans have been clamoring for a sequel ever since. Now, after speaking with developer Neon Giant at Gamescom, it seems that the dream of The Ascent 2 might just be closer to reality than we thought. While details are still scarce, the studio is hinting at plans to expand the universe into a full-fledged franchise.
Neon Giant’s Next Chapter: No Law and Beyond
Currently, Neon Giant is focused on No Law, a first-person Cyberpunk-style game with immersive sim elements being published by Krafton. However, the studio has confirmed its intention to transform The Ascent, which boasts over 12 million players, into a franchise. This ambitious plan involves expanding the universe and exploring new gameplay possibilities.
“It’s something we always wanted to do,” creative director and co-founder Arcade Berg told me. “Creatively, after we were done with the first The Ascent, we just wanted to go somewhere else. We weren’t ready to do more The Ascent at that time. And team size and investment wise, we weren’t prepared for multiple projects. But now, with the backing of Krafton, we have the support to take creative risks. Together, we’ve built a franchise plan. We’re moving The Ascent from a game to a franchise. We’ll be dropping more news as things develop, because it’s a longer-term plan. It’s really exciting for us to know that we have the backing and support to do more.”
A Franchise in the Making
In IGN’s review of The Ascent, we praised its “satisfying gun-tastic action-RPG gameplay loop” and its beautiful cyberpunk aesthetic. While the story and characters might not be the most memorable, the game’s intense gunplay and co-op experience made it a unique and enjoyable title.
What Does the Future Hold?
Krafton has teased that future The Ascent games could explore new genres, sparking speculation about what form the sequel might take. Will it stick to the twin-stick action RPG format, embrace a first-person perspective, or venture into uncharted territory? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, gamers can look forward to No Law, which is slated for release in 2027 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The future of The Ascent franchise is bright, and fans are eagerly awaiting news about what’s next.
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