Guns of Icarus Online
- October 28, 2012
- Muse Games
- 19h median play time
Get on SteamGuns of Icarus Online is a steampunk-themed multiplayer airship combat game. Players man ship stations, like gunner, pilot, or engineer, to complete objectives and defeat enemy teams. Communication and teamwork are crucial for success in this high-flying, aerial warfare experience.
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Reviews
- Unique and fun gameplay that emphasizes teamwork and communication.
- Great steampunk aesthetic with beautiful graphics and immersive environments.
- Friendly community that is generally helpful to new players.
- Very small player base, making it difficult to find matches.
- Steep learning curve that can be frustrating for new players.
- Some players can be toxic, especially towards inexperienced teammates.
- gameplay730 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Guns of Icarus Online" is widely praised for its unique blend of teamwork, strategy, and engaging mechanics, set in a visually appealing steampunk environment. Players appreciate the easy-to-learn yet challenging-to-master gameplay, which emphasizes cooperation among crew members in piloting airships and managing repairs during intense battles. However, some users note issues with a dwindling player base and repetitive gameplay, suggesting that the experience is significantly enhanced when played with friends.
“The game itself is extremely fun and has great mechanics that are not overly complicated for the type of game it is.”
“The gameplay is smooth and intuitive, and presents challenges in both PvP and PvE gameplay.”
“The gameplay is fun, well balanced, and experimentation is extremely rewarding.”
“Waiting, sitting through 15-30 minutes of lobby chatter between each and every round of actual gameplay is literally not an uncommon experience. Just saying.”
“The little variation in gameplay and the tedious beating of machinery just makes this game feel like a chore rather than something fun.”
“Gameplay is redundant and tedious.”
- graphics433 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their artistic style and steampunk aesthetic, with many players noting that they are impressive for a title released in 2012. While some reviews mention that the graphics can be demanding on hardware and occasionally dated, the overall visual presentation is considered beautiful and immersive, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere. Despite some criticisms regarding performance issues and graphical glitches, the game's visuals are often described as stunning, with a unique charm that enhances the gameplay experience.
“The graphics are simply stunning, especially for something still running in only 32 bits.”
“The graphics, the art style, and generally the gameplay all bang on!”
“The graphics are beautiful, and the game even runs on lower-end computers at pretty good graphics.”
“Creepy graphics and poor game quality are the least you will find here.”
“The graphics seem flat and redundant.”
“Graphics are dated, but passable.”
- music108 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the steampunk setting and gameplay experience. Many players find the soundtrack engaging and fitting, with dynamic changes that reflect the intensity of battles, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive environment.
“The music in this game is gorgeous!”
“The visuals of the game are beautiful and appropriately full of rust and brass, and the music is a blend of classical orchestra melodies and wartime drum cadences fitting of the setting.”
“The music alone is amazing, such a great range of ambient tones.”
“The music might get repetitive.”
“The soundtrack is rather limited, although judging from the dev updates that might change soon.”
“All elements of this game are above-average, except the music.”
- story73 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 92 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely underdeveloped, with many players expressing a desire for a more substantial narrative or campaign mode to enhance their experience. While some hints of lore exist, the current focus is primarily on multiplayer skirmishes, leaving players feeling that the potential for a rich story remains untapped. Upcoming updates, including a co-op adventure mode, are anticipated to address these shortcomings and provide a more engaging narrative experience.
“The story is one for the ages.”
“However, the plot itself is quite the tearjerker.”
“Well, since there isn't a real storyline as of yet, this rating is a little based on potential I see, but from the meta-game material I've seen, the introductions shown on each map, and the imminent advent of adventure mode, I am very excited for how the story will develop.”
“The story is not really what focused in the game, which for me is a bit sad, because I wanted to know more about this game.”
“There is no story (although a rich world and lore is hinted at). Recently a DLC called 'Alliance' has been released, presumably tackling these issues. I haven't had time for it yet, though.”
“Needs more depth or story beyond 'go there, fix this' to really engage with the user.”
- humor61 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its hilarious co-op experience and the comedic interactions that arise during gameplay, especially when played with friends. Many reviews mention the game's funny community, amusing in-game elements like ship names and character commentary, and the chaotic yet entertaining moments that lead to laughter, even in defeat. Overall, the game is described as a source of endless fun and humor, particularly in a group setting.
“It's fun, and a hilarious yet intense co-op experience.”
“You play as Tincan Peterson, who has frequent hallucinations of the famed stand-up comedian, Larry the Cable Guy, who provides hilarious commentary as you play the game.”
“Generally speaking, the game is a hilarious good time even (especially?) when you go down in flames.”
- atmosphere59 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive steampunk setting, characterized by beautiful visuals, authentic sounds, and a sense of tension during gameplay. Players appreciate the combination of teamwork, communication, and the unique ambiance created by the game's design and music, which enhances the overall experience. Despite some concerns about player numbers and in-game purchases, the community atmosphere remains friendly and supportive, contributing to a captivating gaming environment.
“The atmospheric silence as you hide in the clouds, fearing the inevitable sight of an enemy ship, the wood of your ship lightly creaking in the wind, as your crew awaits the inevitable.”
“The game creates a feeling hard to explain, almost like you are in that situation; it's so atmospheric and I love this game to death. Please buy this and support the devs.”
“The fast paces (often exceeding 100 k/h) of the airships and heavy damage taken constantly from a damage-centered gameplay dynamic serve to remind you at every second that you're riding not a modern airliner or a fireproofed helium blimp - these ships are slap-dash and falling apart around you, but this only serves to create a thrilling atmosphere in combat as parts go flying and clouds of smoke throw you into the shoes of a reckless young sailor with nothing left to lose, not fighting for his life so much as throwing whatever he, his ship and his crew have left in the all-pervading pursuit of victory.”
“The graphics in the game are good (especially when you consider the price) and the atmosphere, from the creaking of the ship to the sounds it makes as it slowly rotates to bring its cannons to bear, is one that I've been unable to experience again in any game - whether it be a AAA title or not.”
“This game immaculately captures the hectic, intense atmosphere of being a crewman in battle, hopping from gun to gun, repairing vital parts to keep your ship flying just a bit longer than the other bastards.”
- monetization46 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 22 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game primarily revolves around cosmetic microtransactions, which are generally well-received as they do not impact gameplay or provide competitive advantages. While some players express a desire for the game to adopt a free-to-play model to increase its player base, concerns about potential pay-to-win scenarios and excessive advertising persist. Overall, the game maintains a "buy once, play forever" philosophy, with microtransactions viewed as optional and not intrusive.
“All microtransactions are cosmetic, meaning there are no gameplay-affecting purchases.”
“There are microtransactions, but only for cosmetics and they can be unlocked through gameplay, so it doesn't feel like they are really there.”
“They do microtransactions right, with everything being purely cosmetic, no pay-to-win here.”
“Heavy microtransactions.”
“Just another cash grab company.”
“You have to pay for the game yet it has microtransactions like the free-to-play games.”
- stability32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- -6 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players noting persistent bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, particularly during matches and loading screens. However, the active developer support and frequent updates have been praised, leading to improvements over time. Overall, while some users experience significant issues, others find the game enjoyable and stable enough to recommend, especially when played with a coordinated team.
“The community is great, the game is great, and it runs smoothly.”
“The game has excellent stability, allowing for a seamless gaming experience.”
“I appreciate how stable the game is; I rarely encounter any crashes or bugs.”
“The game was decently optimized when I first played it about 2 years ago, and now the game is just a buggy mess, leaving much to be desired.”
“The game can also be rather buggy at times, and more than once my character mysteriously clips through the airship and falls to his death either when newly respawning in-game or entering/leaving a gun.”
“Still some glaring glitches/problems that need to be addressed, most notably in my short playing time thus far the need to have working basic tutorials, mine all got stuck before completion so I skipped to the advanced and did that.”
- optimization28 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant frame rate drops and lag, particularly on lower-end systems, while others report smooth performance even on modest hardware. Although initial impressions of optimization were positive, many users now describe it as buggy and in need of improvement, especially in specific scenarios like cloud interactions. Overall, while some aspects of the game run well, it appears that a high-end computer is often necessary for a consistently smooth experience.
“Graphically impressive for a simple multiplayer game from 2012 with rock solid performance, even out rigs that were outdated in 2012.”
“High optimization - game runs very smoothly.”
“The optimized graphics and giant map design give a real sense of immersion for the player as they pilot balloon-powered airships through vast landscapes ranging from mountains to deserts to ruined cities.”
“The game itself is not optimized well at all; it takes quite the computer to run smoothly at a steady frame rate.”
“Frame rate drops and lag spikes are commonplace, and you need a top-end computer to compensate for better performance.”
“The game has some optimization issues, like when you get in a cloud... those particles make your PC lag hard.”
- replayability23 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, driven by diverse ship types, weaponry, and challenging game modes that encourage players to engage repeatedly. Many users highlight the multiplayer aspect and community involvement as key factors enhancing replay value, while some note that certain roles may become repetitive over time. Despite this, the anticipation of future expansions and updates contributes to a generally positive outlook on the game's longevity.
“A very fun unique game concept with diverse ship types and weaponry fitting of a game with competitive online cooperative replayability.”
“Half the fun is in the endlessly replayable variance of trying to overcome different captains and their new tricks while maneuvering between the canyons, wrecks, and sandstorms of the map.”
“I've never played a game where not only the community was genuinely so unique and great; but also has an endless amount of replayability.”
“Replay value drops very quickly, because all 3 roles get very repetitive after a while, especially the engineer which doesn't have much of a skill cap at all.”
“Replayability 6/10”
“Excellent gameplay, very artistic style, has replay value.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
Reviews of the game's grinding aspect are mixed, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, often describing the gameplay as a chore rather than enjoyable. While some appreciate the lack of pay-to-win mechanics and the absence of serious grinding for content, others note that the initial stages can feel excessively grindy and monotonous, leading to frustration. Overall, the grinding experience varies significantly among players, with some enjoying the combat and customization while others feel it detracts from the fun.
“No pay to win, no grinding or farming save for the achievements.”
“The little variation in gameplay and the tedious beating of machinery just makes this game feel like a chore rather than something fun.”
“Unfortunately we found playing this game to just be tedious most of the time.”
“Gameplay is redundant and tedious.”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a mix of emotional responses to the game, ranging from feelings of heartbreak and sadness due to its current state and community dynamics, to nostalgia for its early days filled with wholesome interactions. The soundtrack is noted for evoking a poignant sense of adventure, while the ship-on-ship combat is described as both thrilling and emotionally engaging.
“So... I was stuck queuing with randos, and it was heartbreaking.”
“It's so heartbreaking and sad what's going on with the game; look how many hours I put in up top.”
“First of all, the soundtrack when you first open the game is somehow heart-wrenching, telling you that you are going on an adventure to a dark and sad place.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the game suffers from insufficient character development, leading to concerns that players may quickly lose interest and engage with it only sporadically.
“The lack of any sophisticated character development means I will likely tire of this game after a few sessions and only play it infrequently.”
“Character development feels shallow and uninspired, making it hard to connect with the characters on any meaningful level.”
“The characters lack depth and growth, which makes the story feel flat and unengaging.”
