Avinash Rohra Move over, PUBG Mobile—India’s gaming scene has a new cultural heavyweight. Studio Sirah’s Kurukshetra: Ascension, a card-battling strategy game steeped in the Mahabharata and Ramayana, has officially crossed one million players across PC, Android, and iOS. Let’s unpack those stats like Arjuna unloads celestial astras:
- 14.6 crore matches played (yes, that’s 146 million!).
- 9.6 lakh hours spent in Duels mode alone (enough time to reenact the entire Kurukshetra war 47 times).
- Arjuna, the sharpshooting fan favorite, starring in 3.8 million matches (turns out, everyone wants to be the guy who literally has gods on speed dial).
For a game that’s not a battle royale or a candy-crushing clone, this is like Bhishma choosing to retire peacefully instead of lying on a bed of arrows. Kurukshetra’s success signals a seismic shift: Indian gamers are hungry for strategy, story, and a sprinkle of mythology-flavored nostalgia.
What Is the Game About? (Spoiler: It’s Not Just “Hearthstone with a Turban”)
Imagine if Hearthstone and Amar Chitra Katha had a baby, and that baby was raised by a team of mythologically obsessed devs. Kurukshetra: Ascension is a digital card battler where you summon heroes, deploy spells, and outwit opponents using tactics ripped straight from ancient Indian epics. The premise? Channel your inner dharmic strategist to:
- Build decks featuring legends like Arjuna, Bhishma, and Sugriva (yes, the monkey king who could bench-press a mountain).
- Wield divine weapons (ahem, Himasura and Himastra) that make Thor’s Mjölnir look like a Nerf hammer.
- Battle across modes: Story campaigns, PvP Duels, and Draft challenges that test your ability to think three shlokas ahead.
The game’s tagline should be: “Yudhhisthira-approved gambling, minus the losing-your-kingdom part.”
Gameplay: Pandava Brothers Meet Big Brain Energy
At its core, Kurukshetra is a turn-based strategy fest. Here’s the breakdown:
- Hero Mechanics: Each hero (like Arjuna or Bhishma) has unique abilities tied to their lore. Arjuna’s deck focuses on precision archery, while Bhishma’s revolves around unyielding defense (and guilt trips about that whole “vow of celibacy” thing).
- Melee vs. Ranged: A tactical twist where positioning matters. Melee units brawl up close, while ranged attackers snipe from afar—ideal for recreating the Chakravyuha formation without the PTSD.
- Weapon Cards: Deploy game-changing gear like Himasura (a frosty axe that’d make Elsa jealous) or Icchha-Mrityu (Bhishma’s “I’ll die when I want” cheat code).
The gameplay loop is addictively simple: Build. Fight. Repeat. But don’t let the cozy art fool you—this isn’t Candy Crush: Vedic Edition. Matches demand chess-like foresight, especially when your opponent drops a surprise Brahmastra card (the ancient equivalent of a nuke).
Single-Player Campaign:
The Story mode is a love letter to mythology buffs, letting you relive iconic battles like Arjuna vs. Karna or Hanuman’s Lanka-burning spa day. It’s like Civilization’s “Just One More Turn” syndrome, but with more philosophical dilemmas about dharma.
PvP Duels:
The Duels mode is where the game shines. Climb ranks, unlock cosmetics, and flex your strategic dimWhy This Milestone Matters: India’s Gaming Scene Just Leveled Up
“Mid-Core Gaming? In My Country? It’s More Likely Than You Think!”
Let’s face it: India’s gaming market is 90% battle royales, 9% hyper-casual time-killers, and 1% “Wait, we make games here?” Kurukshetra’s success cracks open a new niche: mid-core games that blend depth with cultural relevance.
Studio Sirah’s CEO, Abhaas Shah, nailed it:
“Casual games dominate the market… The mid-core space is empty, and Indian players have expressed their desire for Indian IP games.”
Translation: Gamers are tired of parachuting onto Erangel for the 800th time. They crave stories that resonate—like outsmarting Duryodhana with a well-timed Gada swing instead of another Chicken Dinner.
Cultural Pride, Digitally Remastered
Kurukshetra isn’t just a game; it’s a cultural reclamation project. While the West drowns in Greek gods and Viking axe-men, Studio Sirah serves up a smorgasbord of desi legends. As Shah notes:
“Our epics are rich, insightful, and full of mystery… This format allowed us to showcase hundreds of characters and their unique stories.”
For Indian players, it’s a chance to see their heritage reflected in HD—not as a Bollywood parody, but as a legit strategic powerhouse.aag against real players.
Who Is It For? (Spoiler: Not Your Fortnite-Loving Cousin)
Kurukshetra: Ascension is a match made in Swarga for:
- Strategy Nerds: If you’ve ever argued about Civilization tier lists or Hearthstone meta, this is your moksha.
- Mythology Buffs: Perfect for folks who know the Bhagavad Gita better than their WhatsApp chats.
- Cultural Nostalgists: Gamers tired of playing as Generic White Protagonist #47.
- Completionists: With 11 seasons (and counting), new heroes like Himavat, and a Karma Pass stuffed with loot, there’s always something to grind for.
Avoid if: You think “strategy” is choosing between ketchup and mayo on your fries.
Final Verdict: A Strategic Mahasterpiece (But Bring Snacks)
Kurukshetra: Ascension isn’t just a game—it’s a statement. By marrying Indian mythology with razor-sharp strategy, Studio Sirah has crafted a landmark title that proves mid-core games can thrive in India. Sure, the UI could use polish, and the PvP queue times feel like waiting for Kalki’s arrival, but these are minor quibbles.
