Ashen Empires
Released Sep 2022
Ashen Empires is a classic MMORPG set in the fantasy world of Dransik. Dransik has been besieged by the sinister forces of Talazar, preying on mortals. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, defeat powerful bosses, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market. Play YOUR way!
75% positive · 468 reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Ashen Empires is a free-to-play MMORPG that Iron Will Games has been actively developing since taking over the game in 2018, with its Steam launch in September 2022. The developer has maintained a consistent rhythm of major content updates, feature patches, and seasonal events throughout the game's life on Steam.
A notable developer statement came with the Tides of Fate patch on August 16, 2025 [NEWS-6], in which the team described completing a multi-year project to revamp each major area of the game — Mainlands, TR, SoC, Construction, and finally the Tides of Fate sailing content. However, the same post explicitly stated this was not the end of development: "This isn't the end of those things, though we will be looking towards what can we do to put a 'bow' on top of AE. I hope a new client is part of that, but certainly we have a lot of great ideas for that (perhaps final) chapter." This is a clear signal of continued development intent.
Subsequent updates have confirmed the game is still receiving content. A major patch on January 25, 2026 [NEWS-5] added a new Mainlands dungeon with new creatures, quests, and items. On March 21, 2026 [NEWS-3, NEWS-4], the Spring Fling seasonal event was introduced alongside three new mainland quests. Follow-up patches on March 23 and March 25, 2026 [NEWS-2, NEWS-1] refined the event. As of today's date of October 1, 2026, the most recent developer communication was on March 25, 2026. The game has historically seen major content updates every 1–6 months, and approximately six months have passed since the last patch — placing us at the outer edge of, but still consistent with, the established cadence. There are no developer statements indicating development has concluded.
Evidence
Spring Fling seasonal event launched with new creatures and event items, plus three new mainland quests added to Darkfell, Josody, and Dawat.
Major content patch added a new Mainlands dungeon with new creatures, items, and quests, plus various balance and tradeskill changes.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Iron Will Games, LLC
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP
About this game
Ashen Empires is a free-to-play classic Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) set in the fantasy world of Dransik. The world has been plunged into darkness, where the sinister Talazar’s demonic forces plague the lands and prey on mortals and creatures alike. Play with your friends, battle your foes, complete quests, work together to take down powerful bosses to obtain the finest magical items, pursue tradeskills in a player-driven market where you are responsible for crafting your way to success, sail the high seas, build your own house, or even band together and construct a guild hall with your closest friends.
Play the way you want to play!
More About Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG). It's a free-form open world game - there are no limits to what you can do or learn with your character. It is similar to classic pen and paper games where your attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Constitution) determine how good you are at certain activities and what gear your character is able to equip, but there are no classes and there are no skill caps based on stat distribution. You can spend time hunting with friends, exploring the world, honing a skill or craft, or completing quests.
Fighting: Use swords, maces, axes, daggers and more to take down your foes and those that stand before you. Improve your skills in each weapon class to use more powerful and more deadly weapons.
Spellcasting: Mages can select from a wide variety of spells from four major schools of magic - Nature, Body, Mind, and Soul. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, master them all!
Dungeons and Bosses: Explore perilous dungeons, battle vile monsters and bosses, and then celebrate with your friends as you count your loot!
Sailing: Boats are a means of travel for the rich and powerful, allow for naval combat, and offer many short-cuts and additional options to cross seas. Whatever you do, don’t forget to get a sail or you’ll be searching for a flotsam.
Guilds: Complete the Guild Quest and gain the ability to found your own guild. Guild leaders have the ability to assign ranks within, have their own chat channel, and allow for easier distinction of where your loyalties lie.
Construction: Build your own personal house on selected land plots throughout the world and then give a key to your closest friends to allow them access, or work together to create a massive guild hall which can be sectioned off with doors into areas accessible by different guild ranks.
Whether you are drawn by the whiz of arrows, using runes to cast powerful spells, smashing things with a club, or the thrill of discovering new alchemical compounds, you can choose from a variety of skills to craft a unique character in your image; a vagabond warrior, a powerful mage, a helpful cleric, a crafty potion maker, or a resourceful farmer.
Good or Evil, Hero or Criminal -- Play how you want, when you want, and carve your own destiny!
Play the way you want to play!
More About Ashen Empires
Ashen Empires is a classic Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG). It's a free-form open world game - there are no limits to what you can do or learn with your character. It is similar to classic pen and paper games where your attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Constitution) determine how good you are at certain activities and what gear your character is able to equip, but there are no classes and there are no skill caps based on stat distribution. You can spend time hunting with friends, exploring the world, honing a skill or craft, or completing quests.
Fighting: Use swords, maces, axes, daggers and more to take down your foes and those that stand before you. Improve your skills in each weapon class to use more powerful and more deadly weapons.
Spellcasting: Mages can select from a wide variety of spells from four major schools of magic - Nature, Body, Mind, and Soul. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, master them all!
Dungeons and Bosses: Explore perilous dungeons, battle vile monsters and bosses, and then celebrate with your friends as you count your loot!
Sailing: Boats are a means of travel for the rich and powerful, allow for naval combat, and offer many short-cuts and additional options to cross seas. Whatever you do, don’t forget to get a sail or you’ll be searching for a flotsam.
Guilds: Complete the Guild Quest and gain the ability to found your own guild. Guild leaders have the ability to assign ranks within, have their own chat channel, and allow for easier distinction of where your loyalties lie.
Construction: Build your own personal house on selected land plots throughout the world and then give a key to your closest friends to allow them access, or work together to create a massive guild hall which can be sectioned off with doors into areas accessible by different guild ranks.
Whether you are drawn by the whiz of arrows, using runes to cast powerful spells, smashing things with a club, or the thrill of discovering new alchemical compounds, you can choose from a variety of skills to craft a unique character in your image; a vagabond warrior, a powerful mage, a helpful cleric, a crafty potion maker, or a resourceful farmer.
Good or Evil, Hero or Criminal -- Play how you want, when you want, and carve your own destiny!
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 1, 2026
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