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

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 747 reviews

story203 positive mentions

grinding30 negative mentions

Beautiful pixel art and animations that evoke nostalgia for classic 16-bit games.
Engaging combat mechanics that combine melee and ranged attacks, allowing for varied playstyles.
Interesting story with well-developed characters, despite some pacing issues.

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

story
658 mentions
31 % positive mentions
64 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The story of "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its rich lore and character development, while others criticize it for being overly verbose and filled with exposition dumps that disrupt gameplay. The narrative is described as engaging but ultimately unsatisfying due to a cliffhanger ending that leaves many plot threads unresolved. Overall, while the story has potential and intriguing elements, its execution and pacing detract from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that it feels incomplete and rushed.
- “The story is rich and the graphics are a lot of fun.”
- “The storytelling was full of mystery and I loved the pace of reveals, too.”
- “This game has a much greater emphasis on story than most other metroid-vania style games I've played.”
- “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.”
- “The story somehow manages to be both convoluted and simple at the same time.”
- “The story is predictable, with the narrative ultimately more interested in long cutscenes and in setting up for a sequel rather than providing a strong first outing.”
gameplay
287 mentions
31 % positive mentions
66 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Gestalt: Steam & Cinder" is generally described as solid and enjoyable, featuring responsive controls and a mix of combat and exploration typical of metroidvania titles. However, many players feel that the experience is frequently interrupted by excessive dialogue and cutscenes, detracting from the overall flow and engagement. While the mechanics are polished, some reviewers noted a lack of originality and depth, with combat becoming repetitive and certain mechanics feeling underdeveloped.
- “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.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are everything you’d expect from a solid metroidvania: they’re polished, smooth, and engaging, though not groundbreaking.”
- “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
202 mentions
69 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the stunning pixel art. Tracks are described as catchy, immersive, and fitting for various settings, contributing significantly to the overall experience. While some found the music to be merely decent or repetitive, the majority highlighted it as a standout feature, often expressing a desire to purchase the soundtrack.
- “The music fits the various settings quite well, going from epic to oddly serene to haunting.”
- “The art is absolutely beautiful and so is the music, 10/10 for both of them.”
- “With beautiful pixel art graphics that will transport many of us back to the glory days of 16 and 32 bit, an outstanding soundtrack and smooth, responsive controls, there is very little here not to like.”
- “The music in this game curbed my enthusiasm to do that.”
- “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.”
graphics
162 mentions
70 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and vibrant steampunk aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting the fluid animations and detailed character designs. While the visuals are often described as gorgeous and immersive, some players noted that the gameplay mechanics and story did not always match the high quality of the graphics. Overall, the art style is a significant draw for the game, making it a visually appealing experience for players.
- “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 graphics and gameplay are a step above the average indie metroidvania.”
grinding
32 mentions
3 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often frustrating, with repetitive combat and enemy respawns contributing to a sense of monotony. Many reviews highlight the lack of variability in progression and the lengthy, unskippable dialogues that disrupt gameplay, making the experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. While some players noted that grinding could be enjoyable with effort, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game suffers from excessive tedium, particularly in combat and exploration.
- “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.”
- “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
18 mentions
17 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting it feels like a "one and done" experience due to its linear design and short length. While some players might return for a yearly playthrough, the absence of varied gameplay styles, difficulty options, or new game modes significantly diminishes its replay value. Many express a desire for additional content or updates to enhance replayability in the future.
- “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.”
- “I'm not sure I would've paid more than $15 for this title due to the game's length and lack of 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.”
character development
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its unique and visually appealing designs, complemented by a well-structured skill tree that allows for flexible progression. While the writing may not always match the high quality of the character art, the overall character development system is engaging and enhances the storytelling experience. The combination of strong visual aesthetics and a satisfying upgrade system contributes to a memorable character development journey.
- “Fast paced and satisfying combat, cool skill tree that gives you dope new attacks. I loved the story as well as the twists, and the character development was pretty nice too.”
- “The character development system through a node grid is great.”
- “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
15 mentions
93 % positive mentions
7 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating blend of beautiful pixel art, atmospheric music, and engaging level design, creating a unique and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a strong sense of place and history, with many noting that the music and visuals significantly enhance the overall enjoyment. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing to the game's appeal and depth.
- “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
8 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of unintentional comedy and poorly executed jokes, with players often finding themselves laughing at serious moments rather than the intended humor. While some appreciate the unique lore and writing, others criticize the dialogue as "hilariously bad" and the plot as filled with generic twists, leading to a disconnect between the game's promises and the actual experience. Overall, the humor seems to be hit-or-miss, with a tendency to elicit laughter in unexpected ways.
- “There's also something I found funny about how the dialogue is supposed to indicate that Marlowe is hurt, but he's just casually standing there.”
- “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.”
emotional
7 mentions
71 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
29 % negative mentions
Overall, the emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of impactful storytelling and character interaction, leading to a confusing and unsatisfying ending. Players find attempts at emotional moments to be flat and overshadowed by tedious exposition and interruptions, detracting from the overall experience. While the gameplay may be enjoyable, the narrative fails to engage players on an emotional level.
- “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
4 mentions
50 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game Gestalt was released with a mix of minor and major bugs, leading to a somewhat unstable experience for some players. However, others reported a bug-free gameplay experience, particularly on the Steam Deck, though some quality-of-life features like dialogue skipping were missing. 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.”
- “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
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized, as players feel it detracts from the core experience, particularly for those expecting a strong action RPG component. Instead, the game leans more towards platforming, which may not align with the expectations set by its advertising.
- “The monetization system feels overly aggressive, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
- “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, which detracts from the overall experience.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases ruins the immersion and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a genuine game.”