Winter Ember is a love letter to games like Assassin's Creed and Thief – stealth-action experiences that have inspired countless generations to cling to the shadows and extinguish their enemies under the cover of darkness.
From developer Sky Machine Studios and publisher Blowfish Studios, Winter Ember takes you into an immersive world and gives you the freedom to carve your own path. You play as Arthur Artorias, the sole survivor of a family massacre - after eight years spent in exile, Arthur returns to Anargal in search of revenge.
Equipped with a blade, bow, and quiver full of customisable arrow-types, Winter Ember has been designed to fully support a range of playstyles. Want to spend your time creeping through the shadows – infiltrating homes, exploring hidden passageways, and lockpicking your way into forbidden areas – then you can! Or you can run head first into conflict and go sword-to-sword against foes, mastering a challenging combat system by dodging strikes, performing nimble parries and breaking through guards! Or mix the two approaches, moment to moment – it really is up to you.
"Given how flexible the arrow-crafting and skill tree systems in Winter Ember are, it's worth taking time to experiment"
Enemy guards and shadowy cult figures are placed liberally throughout Anargal, so you'll want to master their patrol paths, execute enemies (or knock them unconscious, should you so choose) to avoid direct encounters, or use rope arrows to scale the isometric environments and rain death down from above with carefully placed shots. Given how flexible the arrow-crafting and skill tree systems in Winter Ember are, it's worth taking time to experiment.
Winter Ember is a true-stealth experience that's easy to pick up and play, thanks to its enthralling story, gorgeous environments, and thrilling combat, but provides deep mechanics that are a rewarding challenge to master. Play your way, live with the consequences of your actions, and always remember that there's value in taking all things (especially revenge) slow.
Try Winter Ember for yourself – it's now available for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One.
