Developer and publisher Serenity Forge has officially revealed Return to Ash, a poignant, choice-driven visual novel where players step into the role of a young woman navigating the afterlife. Announced on June 4, 2025, the game is set to launch on Steam on July 10, 2025. Known for critically acclaimed titles like Doki Doki Literature Club Plus, Slay the Princess, and To the Moon, Serenity Forge returns with another deeply personal narrative exploring loss, purpose, and self-discovery.
Return to Ash follows Ashleigh, a young woman who awakens in a surreal afterlife after a prolonged hospitalization. Trapped in a void inhabited by lost souls, she must confront her past while interacting with others burdened by their regrets. Players shape Ash’s journey through impactful decisions that influence not only her fate but also those around her. Will she seek redemption, fight for a second chance at life, or find peace in letting go? Every choice carries emotional weight.
Featuring a distinctive art style and an original, haunting soundtrack, Return to Ash delivers a concise yet deeply affecting story, designed to be completed in 2–4 hours. As a narrative-focused visual novel, the game prioritizes character development, moral dilemmas, and the mysteries of death, asking what it means to persist when hope feels lost.
Zhenghua Yang, Founder and CEO of Serenity Forge, shared that Return to Ash draws from his own battle with a life-threatening illness in his youth.
“I was hospitalized and forgotten by the world,” Yang said. “But the friends I made through games brought me back. This game is my way of showing others that life still holds meaning, even when it feels like the world has moved on.”
Key Features:
- Meaningful Choices: Forge bonds with a cast of vividly written characters, each with their own reasons to cling to life—or let go.
- Striking Visuals: A stylized, ethereal aesthetic reflects the afterlife’s dreamlike and emotional tone.
- Original Soundtrack: A moving score enhances every moment, deepening the story’s emotional impact.
- Compact & Impactful: A tightly woven narrative designed for players seeking a rich, emotionally resonant experience in a single sitting.
Return to Ash is now available to wishlist on Steam ahead of its July 10 release.
