Ashes 2063

Ashes 2063 is a large-scale total conversion for Doom on the GZDoom engine that feels and plays like a full standalone game. The project transports players into a meticulously crafted post-apocalyptic world in the southeastern United States, where civilization ruins, wilderness, and hostile inhabitants form a cohesive and convincing universe.

The world of Ashes is built as an interconnected system of hubs and expansive locations. Players freely explore wastelands, underground tunnels, abandoned cities, and overgrown biospheres, traveling between safe havens and dangerous zones. Locations encourage exploration: secret stashes, alternative routes, bypasses, and dialogues allow players to choose their own playstyle. The atmosphere often relies on silence, lighting, and environment, creating tension rivaling horror games.

Gameplay combines classic Doom dynamics with survival elements. Ammunition is limited, especially early on, so melee combat, caution, and tactical thinking play important roles. The arsenal consists of firearms that can be upgraded, enhancing the sense of progression. There's an inventory system, loot, numerical stats, and motorcycle rides through the open world.

The Ashes story unfolds gradually and unobtrusively through environment, events, and dialogues, forming a dark, tense, and sometimes disturbing narrative with unexpected twists. It draws inspiration from, but doesn't copy, well-known projects, using familiar post-apocalyptic motifs while developing them in its own way. The story leaves room for interpretation and discussion, with some events deliberately evoking discomfort.

The campaign consists of two full episodes. Episode 1: Ashes 2063 establishes the world foundation and mechanics, while Episode 2: Afterglow significantly expands the scope, level design quality, and dramaturgy, offering more complex, intense, and memorable situations. The second episode represents a major quality leap and is among the best examples of level design in the genre.

The full version is complemented by story expansions Dead Man Walking (DMW) and Hard Reset (HR). These additions develop the Ashes universe, adding new chapters, locations, enemies, and gameplay scenarios, strengthening the overall impression of the world and its story.

The visual style and sound deserve special attention. Detailed textures, thoughtful lighting, and excellent artistic direction create the right post-apocalyptic atmosphere, while the soundtrack and sound design enhance immersion, skillfully balancing the feeling of personal power with constant threat.

Ashes 2063 is a rare example of a total conversion that transcends the "mod" label and demonstrates the level of a full-fledged authorial FPS project, combining atmosphere, exploration, intense action, and strong storytelling.