"Life is worth living, even when the world seems to have moved on without you."
スナップショット
Updates & Events
[Upcoming] Return to Ash - Free on Epic Games
2026年2月19日
“The hospital was empty. Quiet, and brighter than usual... like waking up on a snow day. But I didn't feel cold. I didn't feel much of anything.”
概要
Awakening in a surreal purgatory after a decade-long hospitalization, Ashleigh discovers she is 'socially dead'—isolated and disconnected from the living world. This narrative-driven visual novel explores the profound weight of human connection as players navigate trials overseen by Death itself. In a stark yet beautiful void, your choices determine who gets a second chance at life.
ストーリー
Ashleigh enters a mysterious afterlife realm alongside other lost souls like Scarlet, a betrayed career woman, and Celadon, an abandoned divorcee. Presided over by a masked entity known as 'Death,' the characters must face trials that challenge their resolve and their pasts. Inspired by real-life near-death experiences, the narrative weaves a poignant tapestry of regret, hope, and the struggle to return to the living.
Gameplay
As a classic visual novel, gameplay focuses on reading and making critical dialogue choices that ripple through the narrative. The experience is streamlined and accessible, featuring one-button support, allowing players to focus entirely on the emotional weight of their decisions. There are no complex puzzles or combat—only the heavy burden of choosing who deserves to return to Ash.
Key Features
- 1Branching narrative with 6 distinct endings
- 2Atmospheric black-and-white art style
- 3Deep character relationship systems
- 4Emotional original soundtrack
- 5One-button accessibility support
- 6Complete story in 2-4 hours
- 7Philosophical dialogue choices
Highlights
Pros & Cons
長所
- +Deeply emotional writing
- +Unique noir-fantasy aesthetic
- +Respects player time (short but impactful)
- +Accessible to non-gamers
短所
- -Short runtime may leave players wanting more
- -Minimal interactivity beyond text choices
Game Ratings
Striking monochromatic hand-drawn art
Standard visual novel mechanics (reading/choices)
Poignant, personal, and philosophically rich
Melancholic piano and atmospheric tracks
Essential to see all 6 endings
Who Will Enjoy This?
For those who value story over mechanics
Perfect for a single afternoon session
Players looking for cathartic experiences
Similar To
Emotional Impact
To the Moon
match
Themes of Death
Spiritfarer
match
Visual Novel Format
Doki Doki Literature Club
match
💡 Did You Know?
The story was inspired by CEO Z. Yang's near-fatal illness as a teenager
Developed using Ren'Py, Sublime Text, and FL Studio
Features exactly six endings based on your choices
Became free on Epic Games Store in Feb 2026
Characters represent different facets of 'social death'
Latest Updates & Events
[Upcoming] Return to Ash - Free on Epic Games
“The hospital was empty. Quiet, and brighter than usual... like waking up on a snow day. But I didn't feel cold. I didn't feel much of anything.”
“The hospital was empty. Quiet, and brighter than usual... like waking up on a snow day. But I didn't feel cold. I didn't feel much of anything.”— Ashleigh (In-game)
“I hope that this game reminds people that life is worth living, even when the world seems to have moved on without you.”— Z. Yang, Executive Director
Game Ratings
Striking monochromatic hand-drawn art
Standard visual novel mechanics (reading/choices)
Poignant, personal, and philosophically rich
Melancholic piano and atmospheric tracks
Essential to see all 6 endings
Who Will Enjoy This?
For those who value story over mechanics
Perfect for a single afternoon session
Players looking for cathartic experiences
Similar To
💡 Did You Know?
The story was inspired by CEO Z. Yang's near-fatal illness as a teenager
Developed using Ren'Py, Sublime Text, and FL Studio
Features exactly six endings based on your choices
Became free on Epic Games Store in Feb 2026
Characters represent different facets of 'social death'
Latest Updates & Events
[Upcoming] Return to Ash - Free on Epic Games
“The hospital was empty. Quiet, and brighter than usual... like waking up on a snow day. But I didn't feel cold. I didn't feel much of anything.”
Timeline
The Inspiration
Return to Ash is not just fiction; it is a reflection of Executive Director Z. Yang's personal battle. As a teenager, Yang suffered a near-fatal illness that left him hospitalized and isolated. He channeled those feelings of being left behind by the world into the game's core theme of 'social death,' creating a narrative that serves as a testament to the healing power of connection.
Cast of the Damned
- •**Ashleigh (Ash):** The protagonist who wakes up healthy after years of pain.
- •**Scarlet:** A career-driven woman betrayed by a colleague.
- •**Celadon:** A divorced man abandoned by his family.
- •**Death:** A masked entity offering trials for a second chance.
Game Details
- Developer
- Serenity Forge
- Publisher
- Serenity Forge
- Platforms
- PC
- Genres
- Visual Novel, Indie +1
- Atmosphere
- mysterious