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

75%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,011 reviews

story299 positive mentions

grinding41 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, with a steampunk setting that adds depth to the narrative.

The game is relatively short, taking around 8-10 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
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, making it feel tedious at times and detracting from the overall experience.

story
893 mentions
33 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The story of "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is ambitious and rich in lore, featuring well-developed characters and a compelling narrative that keeps players engaged. However, many reviewers noted that the execution falls short, with excessive exposition, pacing issues, and an abrupt, unsatisfying ending that leaves significant plot threads unresolved. While some players appreciated the depth and storytelling approach, others found it overly verbose and lacking in originality compared to other titles in the metroidvania genre.
- “The story is ambitious, with supporting characters that are much more fleshed out than in most games.”
- “This game has a much greater emphasis on story than most other metroidvania-style games I've played.”
- “The story is interesting and the art is amazing.”
- “The game's biggest problem is its lack of originality, and its story does not save it; in fact, it makes it even worse because the interesting lore of the game does not really affect gameplay, making it seem unoriginal when compared to other metroidvanias of the genre like Axiom Verge, Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, or Guacamelee.”
- “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.”
- “The story is truly the weakest point of the game, but honestly, I think it isn't usually the main strength of this kind of game anyways.”
gameplay
399 mentions
30 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its smooth mechanics, engaging combat, and beautiful pixel art, while others criticize its lack of originality and depth. Players noted that the game often feels bogged down by excessive cutscenes and dialogue interruptions, detracting from the overall experience. While some found the gameplay enjoyable and accessible, others felt it lacked challenge and meaningful mechanics, making it less memorable compared to other titles in the metroidvania genre.
- “Great gameplay, OST, universe, level design not annoying, map markers, good story.”
- “The pixel art, both the static character images and the fluid motion during gameplay are nigh on perfect.”
- “Gameplay: top tier, platforming and combat felt smooth!”
- “The game's biggest problem is its lack of originality, and its story does not save it, and in fact makes it even worse because the interesting stuff of the lore of the game just does not really have much in gameplay that it affects and makes it seem just so unoriginal when comparing it to other metroidvanias of the genre like Axiom Verge, Blasphemous, Hollow Knight, or Guacamelee.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay is too slow and repetitive, the controls are kinda clunky and the game is only hard because of the controls.”
music
268 mentions
68 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the gameplay experience. Several players noted the soundtrack's memorable tracks and fitting compositions for different areas, while others highlighted its emotional impact and orchestral pieces during boss battles. However, a few critiques mentioned that some tracks felt repetitive or less memorable, but overall, the music is considered a standout feature of the game.
- “Beautiful pixel art, atmospheric music, fun combat, tight controls and a fascinating story make for one hell of a great metroidvania!”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, perfectly fits the steampunk aesthetic.”
- “Gestalt: steam & cinder presents a visually stunning adventure with its gorgeous pixel art and very catchy music.”
- “Music is crap, story is very generic and boring.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
graphics
221 mentions
72 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its stunning pixel art style and vibrant steampunk environments. The visuals are described as detailed and fluid, effectively capturing a nostalgic aesthetic reminiscent of classic 16 and 32-bit games. Overall, the art direction and character designs contribute significantly to the game's charm, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience.
- “The visuals are stellar.”
- “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.”
- “Gestalt: steam & cinder has such a gorgeous pixel art style.”
- “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.”
- “Graphics 6”
grinding
43 mentions
2 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
95 % negative mentions
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many noting that enemy encounters often feel drawn out due to high health pools and frequent respawns. While some find enjoyment in the grinding for experience points, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration with long maps, excessive dialogue, and monotonous combat patterns, particularly during boss fights. Despite the game's appealing aesthetics and solid gameplay mechanics, the grinding experience detracts significantly from the enjoyment for many players.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game looks really nice and plays well, but my main problems are: enemies have a little too much HP early on and no downtime whatsoever, so I would get stun locked often and die or lose a lot of my HP just trying to make my way through the map. Speaking of maps, some maps are tediously long and made to kill the player, which I understand might be enjoyable to some, but it wasn't for me.”
- “Late game I did a lot of backtracking to finish side stuff and it does get tedious because all enemies will respawn once you leave and reenter rooms.”
- “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.”
replayability
24 mentions
8 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting it feels like a one-time experience due to its linear design, absence of difficulty options, and no additional content like new game plus or bonuses. While some players found it enjoyable for a single playthrough, the consensus is that the game offers little incentive to revisit after completion.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “Very linear world design, plot is bloated and breaks the pace, 0 challenge to be found, short playtime, no replay value, and an unsatisfying ending.”
- “However, the lack of replayability is a downside, as there are no bonuses or new game plus options.”
character development
24 mentions
58 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
13 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by its impressive character designs and a well-structured node grid system that allows for branching upgrades and flexibility. While the writing may not always match the visual quality, the combination of strong art style and cohesive world-building contributes to a memorable experience. Overall, the character development mechanics are engaging, though players may find themselves fully unlocked by the end of the game.
- “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.”
atmosphere
23 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful pixel art and atmospheric music, creating an immersive experience that enhances the gameplay. Reviewers highlight the unique and lively locations, intricate level design, and a captivating steampunk aesthetic that draws players in. Overall, the combination of art, sound, and engaging storytelling contributes to a highly rated atmosphere, often receiving perfect scores.
- “I love the art and the music sets such a great atmosphere!”
- “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.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players appreciating its witty writing and unique lore, though some find the plot's generic twists amusingly predictable. The contrast between the extensive world-building and the limited explorable areas adds a layer of humor, highlighting the game's self-awareness. Overall, the humor enhances the experience, making it enjoyable despite some narrative shortcomings.
- “The lore was unique but didn't overstay explanations; also, the art was 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.”
stability
6 mentions
67 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, players report a generally stable experience with the game, noting that it runs well on the Steam Deck and is mostly bug-free. However, some users 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.”
- “My gameplay was completely bug-free, and I didn't notice any translation errors.”
- “The game lacks quality of life features like skipping dialogues and is quite buggy.”
- “The game suffers from numerous bugs and doesn't include basic quality of life improvements.”
emotional
5 mentions
80 % positive mentions
-40 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The emotional aspects of the game are largely criticized for feeling flat, primarily due to minimal character interaction and a lackluster story. While the gameplay is enjoyable, the attempts to evoke emotion do not resonate effectively with players.
- “A very fun game but with a very boring story.”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and didn't resonate with me.”
- “I expected to feel something, but the characters were flat and unrelatable.”
monetization
2 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 of in-game purchases, while others criticize the presence of aggressive microtransactions that can disrupt gameplay. Overall, the balance between free content and paid options remains a contentious point among users.