The Cinder Notes just feels smoother to play. Though the level is smaller, it contains more pathways to reach various parts of the mission. The mission is easier, but just feels more fun compared to Ashen Age. A highlight is the abandoned Hammerite Seminary.

DrK copied the aesthetics of "The Ashen Age" to make this semi-sequel, resulting in another great-looking daylight mission. DrK does a lot more interesting stuff with this style, however. This is especially visible in the seminary, taking me back to my own vacations in Rome, full of abandoned ruins giving off a similar vibe.

The only thing I believe Cinder Notes could do better, is storytelling. There's some interesting background going on here, but at the same time, the story doesn't really hit the crescendo I expected. This mission is about the Book of Ash, which is somewhat significant in the world of Thief.