I mean, the game is hardly an hour long, so I guess that wasn’t really hard to do, but I never had that feeling that I was fighting the same thing over and over. It can be a bit finicky, so expect to spend some time getting used to how it controls. The combat is responsive, movement is fluid and doesn’t feel stiff like others in this genre, and the only iffy thing there is the zipline. These punches in turn charge your special meter, which in turn fuels any upgrade you pick up – such as a small scattershot electricity effect that gives your whip some additional range.Īgain, nothing too complex here, but what is there works well. However, it uses these to their absolute max, including things like punches instead of your regular weapon when you’re in close range. Control-wise, Steel Assault gives you free movement, an attack button, and a zipline – that’s it. So, don’t go in expecting this big multi-hour thing. It is not a long game by any means, which I guess kinda fits the arcade theme. Steel Assault took me just 55 minutes to clear, and that is with numerous attempts on some of the bosses. It is also possible to turn off screen shake if that’s a deal-breaker.First up – length. You can make the game even more retro by unlocking border art or adding CRT curvature. Playing Steel Assault reminded me of how powerful the 16-bit aesthetic can truly be. Yes, it’s retro, but it’s still stunning. There’s an incredible amount of replay value to this game and the gorgeous visuals and soundtrack meant I never got sick of playing it. If you’re feeling especially masochistic, you can try Arcade Mode, which demands you start over completely after dying and should probably be considered a form of self-harm. It’s a game that’s easy to complete and incredibly difficult to master. Levels often look like standard action-platformer fare before revealing some brutal secret that demands you take verticality into account, like firebombs or electrical blockades. Every time I went somewhere new, I was faced with fresh opponents, gameplay mechanics, and sometimes power-ups. In fact, the game always seems to have something new up its sleeve with each new screen, which is really impressive. Magnus’ evil plan was also not explained very well, which didn’t keep me from getting invested in thwarting it.Įach level has hazards and specific enemy patterns you’ll have to learn through trial and error, Dark Souls-style, which means you are going to die. The intro cutscene did a lot to establish the personal grudge between protagonist Taro Takahashi and Magnus was, and Magnus himself is entertainingly evil in cutscenes, but I didn’t feel like I knew who any of the other characters were. I would’ve liked a bit more explicit exposition on what was going on. The scenes of overgrown cities with flickering neon signs still playing ancient ads are especially haunting. However, the environmental storytelling makes up for it in my opinion. There’s something surprisingly unsettling about the tinny death screams of dictator Magnus Pierce’s soldiers.Īlthough Steel Assault tells a story of corruption, revenge, and seeking justice in a devastated world, the limitations of its retro arcade-style can be keenly felt in this area. The soundtrack is equal parts futuristic and nostalgic, creating an immersive atmosphere that meshes well with the equally nostalgic sound effects. It’s a quick introduction to the gameplay mechanics that will give you time to work out how to aim the zipline–and how to time your slides, because they do not go as far as you think they will. This 16-bit game offers a separate tutorial mode you should absolutely play through before the full game. Like many retro arcade games, Steel Assault has a pretty interesting story, but it definitely takes a back seat to the grueling trial and error gameplay.
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