The clock is ticking—literally. One of the breakout highlights of Steam Next Fest is Ascend to ZERO, the upcoming time-bending roguelike from Flyway Games and Krafton that blends high-octane combat with strategic time-freezing mechanics. And now, with a major Stage 2 Update, the demo just got even deeper for players jumping in this week.
Featured at The MIX, Future Games Show, and the Women-led Games Showcase, Ascend to ZERO delivers explosive voxel visuals and a gameplay loop that’s equal parts Brotato chaos and Hades-style speed, all wrapped in a unique time-manipulation system that lets you pause the clock to plan, strike, and survive.
🧊 What Is Ascend to ZERO?
In Ascend to ZERO, players have just 30 seconds to prevent the end of the world—but there’s a catch: you can stop time. This central mechanic lets you slow the chaos, dodge a deadly attack, or line up the perfect chain reaction against an army of enemies. You’ll battle through wave after wave of voxel-crafted foes, gather power-ups, and transform into one of many unlockable characters, each with wildly different abilities.
The result? A roguelike experience that’s brutally fast, endlessly replayable, and surprisingly strategic.
🚨 Stage 2 Update: What’s New for Steam Next Fest?
Flyway Games has delivered a hefty new content drop just in time for Steam Next Fest:
- New Area: Machine-Ravaged Earth
Enter a post-human wasteland filled with robotic horrors, stage-specific hazards, and evolved enemy behaviors that demand on-the-fly strategy. - New Playable Character: Cold Moon Hacker
Armed with deadly drones and a cool digital edge, Cold Moon Hacker brings a brand-new combat style to the field—perfect for the new stage. - Exclusive Steam Next Fest Event
Jump into the demo this week to unlock an exclusive launch-day color scheme, only available for those participating in the limited-time event.
🔥 Key Gameplay Features
🕒 Time-Based Roguelike Mechanics
Every run starts with 30 seconds—but by stopping time, you can outmaneuver enemies, plan your attacks, and turn chaos into control.
⚡ Fast-Paced Combat Meets Strategy
Dash, slash, or unleash powerful AoEs while the world around you stands still. It’s a frenetic rhythm of freeze-and-fight that rewards quick thinking.
📈 Infinite Progression
Each run boosts your overall power. Level up, collect rare equipment, and push your limits with each new attempt.
🧬 Unique Playable Characters
Choose from a growing roster of avatars, each with signature abilities that radically alter your approach to battle.
🎮 Updated Voxel Visuals
The high-quality voxel aesthetic isn’t just for style—it helps deliver intense effects and clear visibility during even the most chaotic moments.
🎮 Try the Free Demo Now
The demo for Ascend to ZERO has been available since March, but if you haven’t tried it yet, now is the perfect time. With the Stage 2 Update live, the Steam Next Fest version showcases the best of what’s to come—with new content, a fresh character, and time-limited rewards for players who jump in before the event ends on June 17, 2025.
Players can wishlist the game ahead of time. Join the official Flyway Games Discord server for all the latest. Or follow the X (formerly Twitter) account for all your Ascend to ZERO news.
🗓 What’s Next?
Ascend to ZERO is slated for release later this year, with more areas, characters, and power-ups to be revealed soon. The devs are actively collecting feedback during Steam Next Fest, so now’s your chance to help shape the future of this time-warping roguelike.
Make sure to wishlist the game on Steam to stay updated and support indie developers crafting something truly unique in the action roguelike space.
