Gestalt: Steam & Cinder

Despite a few odd design choices, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is an enjoyable Metroidvania with an intriguing world, and exhilarating combat.

78%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

84% User Score Based on 1,494 reviews

Critic Score 66%Based on 13 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $7.53

Buy NowGet on Steam€19.99

About

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

+12

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,494 reviews

story408 positive mentions

grinding60 negative mentions

Gorgeous pixel art and animations that evoke nostalgia for classic 16-bit games.
Engaging combat mechanics that allow for a mix of melee and ranged attacks, creating a satisfying gameplay loop.
Interesting story and world-building that keeps players invested, despite some pacing issues.

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.
Combat can become repetitive due to enemies not having hitstun, making it difficult to chain attacks effectively.

story
1,322 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The story of "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its rich lore and character development, but criticizing its heavy reliance on exposition and dialogue that can disrupt gameplay. While some found the narrative engaging and well-crafted, others felt it was convoluted, predictable, and ultimately unsatisfying due to an abrupt ending that leaves many plot threads unresolved. Overall, the game is seen as a solid metroidvania experience, but the storytelling could benefit from refinement and a more cohesive conclusion.
- “The story and writing is well crafted.”
- “Rich story, need a series adaptation.”
- “The storytelling was full of mystery and I loved the pace of reveals, too.”
- “I'm sure the story took a lot of time and effort, but in a genre of environmental and minimal storytelling, the constant text box dialogue dump got old immediately.”
- “It's a great concept in many ways, but there's just so much story here and I just want to run, jump, and move, but I can't because I need to be told something by characters I do not care about.”
- “The story ends like trash, like there was a whole rest of the game that got cut out.”
gameplay
575 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay of "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is generally well-received, featuring solid mechanics, enjoyable combat, and responsive controls that evoke classic metroidvania elements. However, many players express frustration with the frequent interruptions from dialogue and cutscenes, which detract from the overall experience. While the game offers a visually appealing aesthetic and a decent skill tree, some feel that it lacks originality and depth, leading to a somewhat repetitive gameplay loop.
- “The gameplay and fighting mechanics are enjoyable.”
- “Stunning pixel art from top to bottom, and fun gameplay too - a nice mix of enemies that are easy to blast through and some that require more patience.”
- “Great atmosphere, awesome music, fun controls, easy to use button mechanics.”
- “Outside of that you get a few modifications for shots but they're pretty boring and kind of pointless as well, and this all leads to the skill tree not being anything exciting or changing up the gameplay at all.”
- “The key flaw that contributes to this is that the 'metroidvania' gameplay is done to service the story, not the other way around.”
- “The gameplay is too slow and repetitive, the controls are kind of clunky and the game is only hard because of the controls.”
music
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
29%
2%
The music in "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and complement its beautiful pixel art. The soundtrack features a variety of thematic tracks that fit the game's settings, ranging from epic to serene, and is often described as a standout element of the experience. While some players found the music to be memorable and worth purchasing separately, others noted that it occasionally lacked uniqueness or depth, but overall, it significantly contributes to the game's immersive quality.
- “The art and music remain fantastic throughout, and the platforming and combat never wear out their welcome.”
- “Insanely good soundtrack, praise the soundtrack team.”
- “The music fits the various settings quite well, going from epic to oddly serene to haunting.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The fact that the OST is not that great does not help.”
graphics
328 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
70%
29%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the stunning pixel art and vibrant steampunk aesthetic that effectively brings the world to life. The animations are noted for their fluidity, contributing to an immersive experience, while the overall visual design is described as beautiful and engaging. However, some players feel that while the graphics are impressive, they overshadow other aspects of the game, such as gameplay and story depth.
- “The graphics really pull you in and the animations are done well, making it a quality game.”
- “Gorgeous pixel art style, great music, and a somewhat decent plot.”
- “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 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.”
- “The gameplay and graphics are decent, but the game is short and a little repetitive.”
grinding
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
4%
94%
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players often feeling forced to engage in combat against respawning enemies without meaningful rewards. Many reviewers noted that the combat lacks depth and variability, leading to a frustrating experience, especially during boss fights that drag on unnecessarily. While some found moments of enjoyment in grinding for experience, the overall sentiment leans towards it being a chore rather than a fulfilling part of the gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “At some point it felt more tedious than rewarding, which was not helped by the fact that enemies respawned after every screen change instead of after every 'bonfire', forcing you to kill some of the same enemies over and over again within the same 10 minutes.”
- “The third boss had more health than the previous two and so I saw an extremely tedious pattern developing where I'd need to bring a book and a packed lunch for whenever the final boss occurred and decided to peace out.”
- “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.”
replayability
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
59%
33%
Overall, the game is criticized for its extremely low replayability, with many reviewers noting its linear design and lack of varied gameplay options. Most players feel it is a "one and done" experience, with no incentives for multiple playthroughs, such as difficulty settings or new game plus features. While some express a willingness to revisit the game occasionally, the consensus is that it lacks substantial replay value.
- “I don't think the game has much immediate replay value, but given the time it takes to complete, I will probably go back and play it once a year.”
- “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.”
- “Equipment is limited, but the upgrade system allows for some replayability.”
- “The other problems I have with the game is the super linear nature doesn't lend itself to any replayability; it's a one and done game.”
- “There is no replayability to this game to speak of and it is a poor candidate for randomization because of the progression design.”
- “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.”
character development
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
32%
9%
Character development in the game is praised for its engaging skill tree and unique character designs, which enhance the overall experience. While the writing may not always match the high quality of the visuals, the character development system offers flexibility and depth, allowing players to explore various upgrade paths. Overall, the combination of strong character design and a well-structured development system contributes positively to the game's narrative and aesthetic 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.”
atmosphere
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
7%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised, characterized by beautiful pixel art, atmospheric music, and engaging level design that creates a unique and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of haunting melodies and intricate visuals that enhance the game's depth and storytelling, making it a standout feature that contributes significantly to player enjoyment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and integral to the game's appeal, with many giving it top marks.
- “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.”
humor
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with players often finding themselves laughing during serious moments rather than the intended jokes, and some noting the writing as "hilariously bad." While the lore and art are appreciated, the dialogue and plot twists are criticized for being generic and lacking depth, leading to a comedic effect that feels unintentional at times. Overall, the humor seems to stem more from the game's shortcomings than from its intended comedic elements.
- “The lore was unique but didn't overstay explanations; also, the art is gorgeous, and I loved the humor and writing.”
- “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.”
- “The plot is pretty straightforward chosen one(s) stuff, with a series of last minute twists that are hilariously generic.”
emotional
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
29%
The emotional aspect of the game is largely criticized for its lack of impact and resolution, with many players finding the story confusing and unengaging. Attempts to evoke emotion fall flat due to minimal character interaction and excessive exposition, leading to a tedious experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment. Despite being a fun gameplay experience, the narrative fails to deliver meaningful emotional moments.
- “Attempts at emotional moments in the story feel flat, mostly due to lack of interaction with characters.”
- “And these images never change, no matter the condition or emotional situation of the speaker.”
- “This game could be a good very linear metroidvania, but it’s tedious to play because of the constant exposition dumps, cutscenes, interruptions, and the excruciatingly long-winded boring story that cannot be skipped.”
stability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game "Gestalt" launched with a mix of minor and major bugs, leading to a generally unstable experience for some players, while others reported their gameplay as bug-free. It performs well on the Steam Deck, but lacks certain quality-of-life features like dialogue skipping. Overall, stability appears to vary significantly among users.
- “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.”
- “Gestalt launched in a kind of buggy state, with a bevy of minor glitches as well as some major ones.”
- “Former doesn't have some quality of life features like skipping dialogues and is kind of buggy.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The monetization aspect of the game is not explicitly addressed in the reviews, but there is a suggestion that the game's marketing may mislead players regarding its true genre, potentially impacting their perception of value. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the platforming elements rather than the action RPG features that were advertised.