Fight Ascending

Fight Ascending is an action-packed beat ’em up set in a fantasy world, featuring a female protagonist in a behind-the-view perspective with direct control gameplay. Developed and published by Meng Games, this brawler challenges players to ascend through combat scenarios using Unreal Engine 4 and PhysX physics.

Fight Ascending: Review

Introduction

In the crowded landscape of 2021’s video game releases, Fight Ascending emerged as an unassuming contender. Developed and published by the independent studio Meng Games, this Windows-exclusive brawler arrived on December 11, 2021, with a price tag of just $0.99 on Steam. It entered an industry still reeling from COVID-19 delays, semiconductor shortages, and the dominance of AAA juggernauts like Halo Infinite and Resident Evil Village. Yet, despite its modest profile, Fight Ascending carved a niche as a technically polished, if derivative, ode to classic beat ’em ups. This review examines how Meng Games leveraged Unreal Engine 4 and a focused design philosophy to deliver a satisfying, if fleeting, combat experience that resonates with fans of the genre.

Development History & Context

Meng Games, a small independent studio, conceived Fight Ascending as a passion project for the beat ’em up renaissance of the late 2010s and early 2020s. The game’s development unfolded amid the tumult of 2021, a year defined by pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions and a surge in indie releases. Using Unreal Engine 4 and PhysX, Meng Games achieved remarkable visual fidelity for a low-budget title, crafting smooth character animations and responsive physics that belied its $0.99 price point. The behind-the-view camera and direct control scheme signaled a deliberate homage to classics like Final Fight and Streets of Rage, while the female protagonist—a rarity in the genre—reflected contemporary trends in inclusive character design. Early Access allowed the studio to refine combat mechanics based on community feedback, culminating in a December 2021 release that capitalized on Steam’s holiday sales surge. Positioned against behemoths like Forza Horizon 5 and Deathloop, Fight Ascending stood as a testament to the viability of small-scale ambition in a market increasingly dominated by live-service giants.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Fight Ascending eschews elaborate storytelling in favor of minimalist, trope-driven fantasy tropes. The player controls a nameless female warrior navigating a series of escalating arenas, battling fantastical foes to “ascend” through increasingly hostile realms. Dialogue is sparse, relegated to cryptic pre-fight taunts and victory quips that prioritize brevity over character depth. The narrative serves purely as a framework for combat, echoing the genre’s arcade roots where plot was secondary to action. Thematically, the game explores cycles of conflict and perseverance: each stage represents a “trial,” with enemies embodying primal forces (beasts, elementals, armored guardians). The protagonist’s ascent mirrors the player’s own journey through skill refinement—a meta-commentary on the iterative nature of gaming. While its narrative lacks nuance, its efficiency aligns with the brawler ethos, ensuring players remain immersed in visceral combat rather than exposition.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core gameplay revolves around tightly looped combat encounters. The behind-the-view perspective provides a panoramic view of arenas, enabling tactical positioning against swarming enemies. Direct control translates to responsive movement and attacks, with a simple but effective combo system (light/heavy strikes, dodges, and a special meter). Unreal Engine 4 enables fluid animations and satisfying impact feedback, while PhysX governs environmental interactions—defeated foes crumple realistically, and destructible objects break with satisfying weight. Character progression is minimal: players unlock new combos and abilities by completing stages, but RPG elements are absent in favor of pure action. The difficulty curve is steep, demanding memorization of enemy patterns and resource management of the special meter. However, the lack of co-op or multiplayer modes limits replayability, and repetitive stage designs (e.g., identical castle corridors) betray its indie constraints. Despite these flaws, the combat’s immediacy and weight offer catharsis, making each victory feel earned.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Fight Ascending’s fantasy setting is a familiar tapestry of gothic spires, misty forests, and lava-filled dungeons. Art direction leans into Unreal Engine 4’s strengths, with dynamic lighting and particle effects elevating mundane environments. Enemies are vividly rendered—from hulking ogres with cracked stone skin to agile shadow assassins—though their designs occasionally borrow from established franchises (e.g., Dark Souls-inspired armored knights). The protagonist’s design is a standout: a sleek, armored warrior with glowing gauntlets and a flowing cape, blending practicality with fantasy flair. Sound design complements the visuals, with crunchy impact sounds for blows and a bombastic, synth-heavy underscore that escalates during boss fights. However, voice acting is limited to grunts and one-liners, and environmental ambience feels underdeveloped. The art style lacks originality but compensates with technical polish, creating a world that, while derivative, is consistently immersive.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Fight Ascending garnered minimal critical attention, with no major reviews recorded on aggregate sites like Metacritic. Its $0.99 price point and Steam Early Access roots fostered a small but dedicated player base, who praised its combat fluidity and value proposition. However, its derivative nature and lack of narrative depth relegated it to cult status. Commercially, it was a footnote in 2021’s $180.3 billion global market, overshadowed by mobile titans like PUBG Mobile and console blockbusters. Despite this, Fight Ascending left a modest legacy as proof of Unreal Engine 4’s accessibility for indie developers. It influenced subsequent brawlers like Ascending Inferno (2024), which expanded on its combat systems, and underscored the enduring appeal of pure arcade action in an era of open-world saturation. For genre enthusiasts, it remains a hidden gem—a reminder that ambition isn’t measured in scope, but in the purity of its execution.

Conclusion

Fight Ascending is a paradox: a technically accomplished brawler hampered by its own simplicity. Meng Games delivered a polished, if unoriginal, experience that excels in combat but falters in narrative and innovation. Its Unreal Engine 4 visuals and responsive controls justify its budget price, while the female protagonist and fantasy setting offer fleeting freshness. Yet, its repetitive design and lack of depth prevent it from rising above its influences. As a historical artifact, it represents the democratization of game development—proof that small studios can leverage powerful tools to create competent, if niche, experiences. In the pantheon of beat ’em ups, Fight Ascending is a minor but memorable entry, best suited for players seeking a quick, cathartic fix of retro-styled action. It may not ascend to greatness, but in its focused, no-frills approach, it finds a worthy place in 2021’s eclectic gaming landscape.