Ashes of the Singularity II Review: A Mixed Launch for the RTS Sequel

The wait is over for fans of large-scale real-time strategy games. Ashes of the Singularity II is bringing its enormous battles and futuristic warfare back to PC. This game developed by Oxide Games and published by Stardock Entertainment, launched on November 10, 2026, and it takes its predecessor as a foundation to attempt to deliver a solid experience. However, its first day on the market has delivered a somewhat divided reception. While critics have recognised the sequel's strategic potential and impressive scale, player reviews on Steam suggest that not everyone is convinced by the new instalment.

With thousands of units, sprawling battlefields and several factions competing for control, the sequel has ambitious goals. But does it deliver enough improvements to justify its price? Here's what the early reviews tell us.

The Launch Week Consensus

The initial reception to the sequel to Ashes of the Singularity is mixed. According to the game's page on Steam store, the game currently holds a Mixed user-review rating, with 65% of 244 reviews marked positive at the time of checking on November 11, 2026. The game has caught the eye of a community that is divided, with both sides defending valid points. It is also worth remembering that these figures represent only the first days of release, when technical problems, initial impressions and expectations can have a disproportionate influence on ratings. In any case, the broader picture is one of a sequel with a clear identity: enormous battles and strategic depth remain its main selling points, but the execution is what will determine whether it can maintain player interest beyond launch week.

Critics vs Players: The Split on the Sequel

The critics generally appreciate the game's foundations while identifying areas that need further work. Impressive battles and rewarding strategic decisions are the best selling points of Ashes of the Singularity II. However, the rather limited variety of options, the length of the campaign, and several annoying interface issues stand out as negative points. Whether it's critics or players, both contribute to the general score of the game with their comments, although most critics think of the game more positively. Of course, the game has been out for just a day, so the number of reviews is rather small to be significant, but there are other ways to find out if the game is worth it for you.

What the Original Got Right (and Wrong)

Released in 2016, the original Ashes of the Singularity made a name for itself through its enormous battles and technical ambitions. It became particularly well known as a DirectX 12 benchmark, demonstrating how modern hardware could handle large numbers of units on screen. For strategy enthusiasts, its appeal was straightforward: traditional RTS warfare, but on a much larger scale. However, the original was also divisive. Its emphasis on scale did not appeal to everyone, and the experience could sometimes feel less engaging than the impressive technical presentation suggested.The RTS genre has been always defined by major actors like StarCraft II, and their influence can have a direct impact on the expectations for other titles. In this case, the massive battles for the Ashes of the Singularity series may be too much to handle for those players who are used to an experience with a somewhat smaller scale.

It's worth noticing that the original game was followed by Ashes of the Singularity: Escalation, a more complete version of the original that introduced more complex mechanics following the initial feedback from the community, which asked for more complex dynamics. While the original game was designed as an introduction of sorts to massive scale RTS games, Escalation features more units, resources, and deeper mechanics that clearly cater to experienced players in the genre.

The sequel clearly wants to preserve its predecessor's identity rather than abandon it. Once again, players command enormous forces across continent-sized battlefields, with thousands of units potentially involved in the fighting. The available factions include the forces of Earth, the mechanical AI Substrate and the Post-Human Coalition. There are also several ways to play, including a single-player campaign, cooperative multiplayer and competitive multiplayer.

The key improvement that Ashes of the Singularity II brings to the table is an effort to make large-scale warfare more manageable. Territorial control and army grouping offer players more meaningful ways to organise their forces. However, several problems with the interface hinder the gameplay experience and suggest that Oxide Games still has work to do.

Worth It at $31.99?

The pricing is an important part of the discussion. Ashes of the Singularity II normally costs $39.99 on Steam, but its introductory launch discount reduces the price to $31.99, representing a 20% saving. The offer is scheduled to end on November 17, 2026. So, is it worth buying now?

For dedicated RTS fans, the answer is yes. The enormous battles, multiple factions and emphasis on large-scale strategic decisions provide a distinctive experience. Players who enjoyed the original or games focused on commanding huge armies will probably find plenty to appreciate. However, the recommendation is less straightforward for casual strategy players. A short campaign, limited battle variety and interface frustrations are meaningful drawbacks, especially when the game is still establishing its reputation.

The introductory discount makes the purchase more attractive, but it does not eliminate the risks associated with a new release. Those who are particularly concerned about polish may prefer to wait for further updates and a more established player consensus.

Our early verdict: Ashes of the Singularity II is a promising but imperfect RTS sequel. Its impressive scale and strategic foundations make it worth considering, but early criticisms mean that waiting for improvements is a perfectly reasonable choice.

Where to Buy Ashes of the Singularity II

The game is available on PC through Steam, with the introductory discount currently bringing its price down for a limited time. Players looking to compare prices before purchasing can check our comparator to purchase Ashes of the Singularity 2 at the cheapest price and take advantage of the launch discount.

For newcomers, the original Ashes of the Singularity and Escalation are worth exploring to understand the series' approach to large-scale warfare. Returning players, meanwhile, will likely be more interested in seeing how the sequel develops its mechanics. Ultimately, Ashes of the Singularity II has not delivered an overwhelmingly successful launch, but Oxide Games has established a promising foundation. Now, updates, additional content and continued community feedback will determine whether this sequel can become the definitive large-scale RTS experience its ambitions suggest.