District Steel
- February 16, 2023
- Barricade Studio
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamIn District Steel, a VR action game, you are a half-human, half-machine hybrid tasked with stopping an AI takeover by the SenTRI corporation. Wielding a mechanical arm with time-bending powers and a range of deadly weapons, you'll battle through an underground facility filled with hostile robots. With full locomotion gameplay and intense gunplay, District Steel offers a challenging and immersive experience for fans of classic FPS games.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- District Steel is a heartfelt tribute to boomershooters, featuring breathtaking level design that feels like it was directly ported from concept art.
- The game offers a fun and engaging experience with solid gunplay, enjoyable mechanics like slow motion, and a variety of ways to tackle encounters.
- The developers are responsive and actively working on improvements, making it a promising title with potential for future content and enhancements.
- The game suffers from a lack of hand animations and clunky movement mechanics, which can detract from immersion and fluidity during gameplay.
- Many players feel the game is too casual-friendly, leading to a lack of challenge and a sense that it never fully reaches its potential.
- The current content is limited, with a short campaign and repetitive enemy types, leaving some players wanting more depth and variety.
- graphics32 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the retro aesthetic reminiscent of mid-2000s titles like Doom 3. While not on par with AAA games, the visuals are described as cohesive and immersive, featuring solid performance, neat special effects, and a satisfying color palette. Overall, the graphical presentation enhances the gameplay experience, despite some minor control issues.
“I find the combat and movement mechanics to be both novel and satisfying, and the aesthetic to be very reminiscent of the mid-2000s (think Fear and Doom 3, as examples) which is a vibe I don't see nearly enough these days.”
“Simple but cohesive visuals, great performance, neat special effects, and fun arcady shooting.”
“While the graphics are not as impressive as some of the AAA games and don't include some of the finer details, they are still enough to not detract from immersion and are very well done.”
“The overall graphical appearance and level design bears a passing resemblance to the Doom 3/BFG VR mods.”
“Granted, the graphics aren't like in Alyx, but they are still impressive.”
“Sure, you can get better graphics, but you don't get rocket jumping with bullet time.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 28 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "District Steel" is praised for its fun and satisfying combat and movement mechanics, reminiscent of mid-2000s aesthetics. While some players feel a lack of narrative motivation slightly detracts from the experience, the overall polish and quality of the gameplay are highly regarded, making it a standout in the VR genre despite its higher price point.
“I find the combat and movement mechanics to be both novel and satisfying, and the aesthetic to be very reminiscent of the mid-2000s (think Fear and Doom 3, as examples), which is a vibe I don't see nearly enough these days.”
“I'm currently on the 3rd level and really enjoying the gameplay, overall polish, and graphics.”
“For myself, this diminishes the overall gameplay a bit, if there is no reasoning or understanding for my motivation (e.g., why do I have a robotic arm to begin with?).”
“Returning because the playstyle and mechanics weren't quite my thing, but what is offered is definitely high quality, so it gets a thumbs up.”
“I'm not sure other VR games can beat the gameplay in District Steel.”
- story16 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for a more developed story in the game, noting that while the gameplay is enjoyable, a proper background narrative would enhance the experience. Many feel the game is currently overlooked and would benefit from being available on newer platforms like Quest 2 or Quest 3. Overall, there is optimism for the story's evolution as players progress through the missions.
“Only a few missions in but two thumbs up!!”
“At least some sort of background story would be nice.”
“I hope it continues to evolve and there's a proper story!”
“I'm only on the 3rd mission.”
- optimization8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, delivering great performance even in larger environments. Users appreciate the cohesive visuals and neat special effects, noting that it runs well on lower settings without sacrificing quality. Overall, the game feels well-optimized and enjoyable to play.
“The game looks great using lower settings too, and I think most will appreciate the great performance in this game.”
“Also, performance stays up even in the bigger locations, and this game feels nicely optimized.”
“Simple but cohesive visuals, great performance, neat special effects, and fun arcade shooting.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its ability to complement the action, enhancing the overall experience with a decent soundtrack that fits well with the game's aesthetic. Reviewers appreciate the vibrant sound design and how it integrates seamlessly with the gameplay elements, contributing to a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.
“The music in the game is great and matches the action.”
“The music starts right, the colors, sound, and UX pop - the holographic map is neat.”
“Good mobility, bullet time, great aesthetic in my opinion, good progression of difficulty while keeping things challenging enough and a decent soundtrack to tie it all together.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the profound impact of interacting with the menu buttons, suggesting that even simple actions evoke strong feelings and connections for players.
