Astral Ascent Unleashes “The Ravenswatch Sentinel” — A Major Free Crossover Update Featuring 5 New Summonable Characters

ANGOULEME, FRANCE - January 19, 2026 — Indie developer Hibernian Workshop has just released The Ravenswatch Sentinel, alongside a special trailer, as a new free content update to their critically acclaimed action-roguelite, Astral Ascent. Launching today on PC, this crossover brings the dark, mythic atmosphere of Ravenswatch into the vibrant, celestial realm of the Garden.

The update brings five legendary figures from the Ravenswatch universe into Astral Ascent as Echoes — powerful summons that can be activated during battle to aid in every run. These newly added characters are dark, battle-hardened reinterpretations of figures from traditional fables and global folklore, including the fierce Scarlet (Little Red Riding Hood), the rhythmic Pied Piper, the mythic warrior Beowulf, and the frigid Snow Queen. Joining them is the legendary wizard Merlin, whose arrival in the Garden marks a unique parallel launch event, as he makes his official debut in both Ravenswatch (as a main playable character) and Astral Ascent on the same day.

The crossover extends beyond characters with the introduction of the Hourglass of Dreams, a new room inspired by the haunting aesthetics of Ravenswatch. Within this room, players will get to meet the Sandman, an iconic non-playable character from Ravenswatch.

In Astral Ascent, the Sandman will allow players to upgrade the rarity of their Gambits — special perks that can be equipped to spells to grant them additional effects and increased strength. The new room is also the exclusive location where players will be able to collect the new Vengeful Echoes upon a sacrifice. Offering significantly more power than standard Echoes, wielding these Ravenswatch legends requires players to give up an Echo they already own, adding a dynamic new layer to the gameplay.

This update marks the 13th free content drop and 16th major update for Astral Ascent in two years. It solidifies the game’s reputation as a strong hub for indie collaboration, as this is the sixth major crossover the game has hosted so far, following successful collaborations with Dead Cells, Children of Morta, ScourgeBringer, Ember Knights, and Spiritfall.

The Ravenswatch Sentinel is available now as a free update for Astral Ascent on PC, with console versions (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch) set to follow shortly.

Astral Ascent is a critically well-received 2D action-platformer roguelite set in a modern fantasy world. As one of five prisoners with distinct personalities, players must escape from the Garden — an astral prison guarded by 12 powerful and vicious bosses: the Zodiacs. Featuring lightning-fast combat, local co-op, and deep character customization, the game has been widely celebrated within the genre, holding a Metascore of 86 and consistently hovering around 95% positive reviews on Steam.

Based in France, Hibernian Workshop is an independent studio with a focus on high-quality pixel art and deep, rewarding gameplay. Through consistent updates, the team continues to expand the universe of  Astral Ascent, while also working on Fallen Fates, a new action-RPG that was successfully funded on Kickstarter in 2025.

Developed by Passtech Games, Ravenswatch is a top-down action roguelite where fallen heroes of old tales and legends unite to fight back the Nightmare.