Ancient Frontier: Steel Shadows
- December 11, 2018
- Fair Weather Studios, LLC
Get on Steam"Ancient Frontier: Steel Shadows" is a single-player turn-based strategy game set in space. Assemble and command a fleet of ships, utilizing different skills and strengths to overcome enemies. Engage in intense space combat, managing resources and making strategic decisions to emerge victorious in the ancient frontier.
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game offers a solid blend of RPG elements and tactical turn-based combat, allowing for deep customization of ships and strategies.
- The graphics and sound design are well-executed, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.
- The developers are responsive to player feedback, regularly releasing patches to address bugs and improve gameplay.
- The game suffers from pacing issues, particularly in later battles where the AI takes too long to make moves, leading to tedious gameplay.
- There are significant balance issues, especially with enemy difficulty spikes that can make missions feel unfair and frustrating.
- The crew and character development aspects feel underutilized, lacking depth and meaningful interactions that could enhance the RPG experience.
- story39 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story is described as a mix of cheesy pirate themes and surprisingly well-written elements that maintain player interest, though it can become tedious as the game progresses. While the narrative provides a decent backdrop for gameplay, it is often linear and repetitive, with character development that feels underutilized. Overall, players appreciate the engaging plot and RPG elements, but some find the missions monotonous and lacking in variety as they advance through the game.
“The story is surprisingly well written, and you find yourself wondering what will come next as the plot intensifies through the game.”
“The story lines are interesting, the graphics are detailed, and the gameplay is enhanced by the music and sound effects.”
“The story is a pretty cheesy and hammy pirate story, but it's good enough to keep the flow between battles.”
“The RPG is well done, though the story itself is pretty cheesy sometimes; character development is well thought out.”
“The story is 100% linear so far, with mostly battles and once in a while a multiple choice random event where you have to guess the right answer.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its addictiveness and polished quality, featuring an enjoyable rock soundtrack that enhances the overall gameplay experience. While the voice acting is a mixed bag, with some standout performances and others that feel less professional, it contributes positively to the game's immersion. Overall, the combination of music and sound effects significantly enriches the game's atmosphere.
“The game has a nice polished feel to it with smooth animations, a rotatable playing map, options for varying difficulties, and an enjoyable rock soundtrack.”
“The storylines are interesting, the graphics are detailed, and the gameplay is enhanced by the music and sound effects.”
“Good soundtrack.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are highly praised for their top-notch quality and detailed 3D modeling, with users particularly enjoying the random zoom feature that showcases intricate details. Overall, the visuals are complemented by great voice acting and an engaging soundtrack, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.
“The graphics and 3D modeling are top-notch, and I really enjoy the random zoom-ins that allow you to see the detail in action!”
“The graphics are very nice, and the voice acting is great.”
“The storylines are interesting, the graphics are detailed, and the gameplay is enhanced by the music and sound effects.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking in a sense of progression, leading to a disengaging experience where they often multitask with other activities while playing. While the early-game combat is enjoyable, it quickly becomes repetitive and unimmersive.
“The story is reasonably interesting and the early-game combat is fun, but it quickly becomes tedious.”
“It was too tedious, lacks a feeling of advancement, and I got into the habit of watching TV while waiting for the enemy ships to move.”
“Too grindy and not immersive enough.”
- gameplay3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a turn-based strategy experience reminiscent of titles like XCOM and Fire Emblem, where players command a variety of ships, from nimble fighters to massive battle cruisers with unique features. The game is praised for its engaging storylines, detailed graphics, and immersive music and sound effects that enhance the overall experience.
“It's a turn-based strategy game very similar in gameplay mechanics to games like XCOM, Fire Emblem, and other turn-based fare. Instead of commanding characters, you command ships, ranging from quick but deadly little fighters to huge battle cruisers/carriers that come with disposable 'bodyguard ships' as well as a few other surprises that were quite pleasing.”
“The storylines are interesting, the graphics are detailed, and the gameplay is enhanced by the music and sound effects.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-executed, with thoughtful design in both personality and leveling aspects; however, some players feel that additional writing could have elevated the experience to a more epic level. While the RPG mechanics are solid, the story occasionally veers into cheesy territory, impacting the overall depth of character growth.
“It's a good game and definitely worth the money they ask, but it could have been incredible and a grand epic with just a bit more writing and character development, both in terms of personality and leveling up.”
“The RPG is well done; though the story itself is pretty cheesy sometimes, the character development is well thought out.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game effectively captures a "dirty space" atmosphere reminiscent of classic sci-fi films like Alien and the Millennium Falcon, enhancing the overall experience for players who appreciate that aesthetic.
“The game has a 'dirty space' atmosphere that reminds me of Alien or the Millennium Falcon from the old movies, which is definitely a plus.”
“The game has a 'dirty space' atmosphere that reminds me of Alien or the Millennium Falcon (the old movies, not those Ryan Johnson atrocities), and that's a plus.”
“The overall atmosphere feels bland and uninspired, lacking the depth and immersion I was hoping for.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the atmosphere feels empty and lifeless, making it hard to get invested in the game.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game often stems from the protagonist's exaggerated religious devotion to a machine god, which provides moments of levity and amusement throughout the narrative.
“His religious devotion to a machine god can be kind of funny at times.”
