Gestalt: Steam & Cinder

Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is a gorgeous-looking metroidvania title with smooth controls and a deep story. It’s a bit short to play through, but it is an enjoyable experience.

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In "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" , play as Aletheia, an elite mercenary, in the Steam City of Canaan. Combat clockwork golems, horrors, and raiders using melee combos and gunplay while uncovering the city's dark secrets and thwarting the corrupt overseers' schemes. Explore various locations, from grimy markets to blazing furnaces, in this action-packed adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 524 reviews

story157 positive mentions

grinding22 negative mentions

Gorgeous pixel art and animations that create a visually stunning experience.
Engaging combat mechanics that allow for a mix of melee and ranged attacks, providing a satisfying gameplay loop.
Interesting story and character development that keeps players invested throughout the game.

The game is relatively short, taking around 8-10 hours to complete, which may leave some players wanting more.
The ending feels abrupt and unsatisfying, leaving many plot threads unresolved and hinting at a sequel that may never come.
Excessive dialogue and exposition can disrupt the pacing of the game, making it feel tedious at times.

story
468 mentions
34 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it engaging yet flawed. While some appreciate the intriguing premise and character development, others criticize the heavy reliance on exposition, abrupt pacing, and a disappointing cliffhanger ending that leaves many plot threads unresolved. Overall, the narrative is seen as a significant aspect of the game, but it suffers from execution issues that detract from the overall experience.
- “The story is engaging and had me invested, despite some triteness here and there.”
- “The pixel art was on-point, the gameplay was fluid, and I was really engaged by the story, which kind of left me shaken, by how the final minutes of it concluded, especially with that double cliffhanger.”
- “Beautiful pixel art, atmospheric music, fun combat, tight controls, and a fascinating story make for one hell of a great metroidvania!”
- “The plot was forced forward by characters being idiotic.”
- “The story ends like trash, like there was a whole rest of the game that got cut out.”
- “The pacing isn't great and if the story was good enough to make up for the constant interruption of gameplay it would have easily made up for it but the ending is so poorly realized and comes out of nowhere that it's hard to wholeheartedly recommend the game to people.”
gameplay
207 mentions
29 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally well-received, characterized by solid mechanics, smooth controls, and engaging combat that balances challenge without being overly punishing. However, many players noted that frequent cutscenes and dialogue interruptions detract from the overall experience, making the pacing feel uneven. While the game offers enjoyable exploration and platforming typical of the metroidvania genre, some critics feel it lacks originality and depth, with certain mechanics feeling underdeveloped or unimpactful.
- “The gameplay is very smooth.”
- “The gameplay is fun as all hell and the attacks and abilities are flashy but not obnoxious.”
- “Great graphics and music, solid gameplay loop, and the story is engaging!”
- “The gameplay is too slow and repetitive; the controls are kind of clunky, and the game is only hard because of the controls.”
- “The amazing pixel art and animations definitely draw you in, but past that, the game feels so lacking that the gameplay is honestly forgettable.”
- “The game is terribly balanced; most enemies are just the simple spam attack type, but they just tank your hits. There's no stun mechanic for Alethia's weapons, and I don't count the nonsense 'stun break' mechanic as part of this.”
music
138 mentions
68 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting its quality, atmosphere, and ability to enhance the overall experience. Tracks are described as fitting well within the game's environments, with standout pieces that players are eager to purchase as soundtracks. While some found the music to be occasionally repetitive or forgettable, the majority agree that it significantly contributes to the game's charm and immersion.
- “The music fit these areas superbly, and the denizens you meet in these areas also made it all feel cohesive and whole.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, perfectly fits the steampunk aesthetic.”
- “Gestalt has beautiful pixel art with fluid animations, fantastic music, and fun abilities to unlock.”
- “My only real complaints would be that the music is rather forgettable and having enemies constantly respawn every time you leave a room does sometimes make backtracking a bit tedious.”
- “The fact that the OST is not that great does not help.”
- “By the end of the game they resort to just 'spam poison so if you don't buy enough antivenoms you kinda just die' visual design is outstanding, the levels look amazing all around, but the monotone soundtrack leaves the environment and ambience feeling less outstanding than it should given how the game looks.”
graphics
112 mentions
71 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful pixel art style, high detail in sprites and backgrounds, and a captivating steampunk aesthetic. Many reviewers highlighted the fluid animations and vibrant environments, which enhance the overall experience, making it visually appealing on both handheld and larger screens. While the visuals are often praised as a standout feature, some players noted that the gameplay mechanics could feel less engaging in comparison.
- “Very solid game, fantastic pixel art graphics and a gripping story.”
- “Let's get the obvious stuff out of the way: the game looks absolutely gorgeous, the steampunk aesthetic is nailed perfectly, the pixel art is fantastic, character designs are very nice, backgrounds are colorful and different areas of the game are easily identifiable and memorable.”
- “The artwork is gorgeous, the animations are fluid and the world feels really well established.”
- “Most bosses died in seconds, so I never really had any issue with fights, which is a shame since it also means I saw basically nothing of their moves and couldn't appreciate the artwork.”
- “The visuals, while extremely ugly on a big screen due to no resolution options, are an absolute treat on a handheld like the Steam Deck.”
- “Gorgeous game with lacking gameplay when compared to the visuals.”
grinding
23 mentions
4 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
96 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, with many noting that combat lacks fluidity and often feels drawn out due to enemies having excessive health and frequent respawns. While some players appreciate the game's aesthetics and mechanics, the lengthy boss fights and the need for constant backtracking contribute to a frustrating experience that detracts from enjoyment. Despite some potential for fun in grinding, the overwhelming sentiment is that it becomes a chore rather than an engaging part of gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The combat can be tedious as you can almost never chain your attacks together.”
- “This all comes to a head with the fact that the game was honestly pretty short; I completed most of the content in about 4 hours, and the content I haven't done for 100% felt tedious enough that I don't feel like going back for it.”
- “While the difficulty is on the easier side, the combat still holds up, though some encounters, particularly boss fights, are annoyingly tedious with bosses having few attack patterns but excessively long fights.”
atmosphere
12 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning pixel art, immersive music, and unique level design, creating a captivating metroidvania experience. Reviewers highlight the depth and detail of each location, which is enhanced by atmospheric lighting and a rich soundscape that includes both haunting melodies and epic orchestral pieces. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal.
- “Beautiful pixel art, atmospheric music, fun combat, tight controls, and a fascinating story make for one hell of a great metroidvania!”
- “Each location feels unique and alive, filled with intricate machinery, atmospheric lighting, and a sense of history that draws you in.”
- “It perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, with a mix of haunting melodies and epic orchestral pieces that elevate the overall experience.”
character development
12 mentions
58 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive pixel art and character designs, which are visually striking and memorable. While the writing may not reach the same heights, the character development system, featuring a flexible skill tree and branching upgrade paths, adds depth and engagement to the gameplay experience. Overall, the combination of strong visual aesthetics and a solid development framework enhances the game's appeal.
- “The character development system through a node grid is great.”
- “The character development tree was interesting; you can branch out in a few directions as usual, but you get a new starting point for every major upgrade, and the sub-upgrades to that are usually locked behind a junction that needs you to meet it from both the main start and the start point for the upgrade.”
- “It's a shame the writing isn't stellar, because the character designs are fantastic and when the writing sings, it really sings.”
- “Despite the plot being more familiar than your favorite worn-out hoodie, the game weaves in enough cohesion, world-building, and character development to transform that old favorite into a retro-chic piece you'd proudly display on Fifth Ave.”
- “The game’s skill tree, which can be easily refunded, adds some layer of flexibility to character development, although by the end of the game, you will have almost everything unlocked.”
replayability
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many users noting that it offers little incentive to play again after completing it. The linear design, absence of difficulty variations, and a bloated plot contribute to a consensus that it feels more like a one-time experience. While some players found value in the initial playthrough, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game lacks features that would encourage repeated play.
- “Just something to add to the experience I think would do a lot to improve the overall package and give it some good replay value.”
- “Wish it had a bit more replayability; hopefully, it will get a DLC or second installment to progress the story, as the end leaves the plot open.”
- “I hope there is a way to skip them for replayability's sake.”
- “Can get all achievements in one run; there is, however, no replayability at all.”
- “Game was fun to go through, but it seems to be more of a one play and done kind of game; I didn't see much replay value.”
- “However, the lack of replayability is a downside, as there are no bonuses or new game plus options.”
humor
5 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is appreciated for its clever writing and unique lore, though some find it amusingly ironic that the expansive world described is only partially realized. While the plot follows a typical "chosen one" narrative with predictable twists, it includes humorous elements, such as quirky rumors and character interactions, that add a lighthearted touch to the experience.
- “The lore was unique but didn't overstay explanations; also, the art is gorgeous, and I loved the humor and writing.”
- “The plot is pretty straightforward chosen one(s) stuff, with a series of last-minute twists that are hilariously generic.”
- “It's funny that the game spends so much time telling you about the world, and the actual world you're able to explore is not even a fraction of what is promised.”
emotional
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game is enjoyable in terms of gameplay, but its story lacks emotional depth, with attempts at creating impactful moments falling flat due to minimal character interaction. Players can easily defeat enemies without engaging with the game's skill mechanics, further diminishing the emotional stakes.
- “The game has great mechanics, but the emotional depth is lacking, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
- “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the emotional moments feel forced and fail to resonate.”
- “I found the story to be predictable and uninspiring, which diminished the emotional impact of the game.”
stability
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a generally stable experience with the game, noting it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck and is largely free of bugs and translation errors. However, some players have encountered minor bugs and a lack of quality-of-life features, such as the ability to skip dialogues.
- “My gameplay was completely bug-free, and I didn't notice any translation errors.”
- “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “The game is plagued with bugs that disrupt the experience.”
- “There are several stability issues that make it frustrating to play.”
- “The lack of quality-of-life features, like skipping dialogues, adds to the overall instability of the game.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the fair pricing and optional purchases, while others criticize the presence of aggressive microtransactions that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the balance between free content and paid features is a point of contention among users.