Iron Mandate
- March 11, 2023
- Emerick Gibson
- 12h median play time
Get on SteamMaster the piloting of giant mechanical worms, lay waste to all that stand in your way and reclaim your rightful place on the throne.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features impressively engrossing gameplay with a unique concept and a variety of weapons, making it fun and addictive.
- It's free to play, providing great value and entertainment without any cost, which is a significant plus for players.
- The movement mechanics are fluid and enjoyable, allowing for dynamic combat and exploration, which many players find engaging.
- The controls can be frustrating, especially for keyboard users, as they feel unintuitive and may require a steep learning curve.
- There are balancing issues, particularly with enemy damage and the difficulty spike after the first boss, which can feel punishing.
- Some players have reported oddities after dying, such as inconsistent weapon availability and saved progress, leading to confusion.
- gameplay12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as impressively engaging, featuring a fast-paced and satisfying loop that allows players to explore various weapons and mechanics in a relatively short time. While the current state of the game is considered barebones, the dynamic combat and rogue-like elements provide a fun experience, though some players express frustration with movement mechanics and falling off maps. Overall, there is optimism for future expansions that could enhance gameplay options and depth.
“Impressively engrossing gameplay loop despite the barebones state of the game at present.”
“Short but sweet, plenty of options for varied gameplay right now, looking forward to the future of this game and the expansion of options that can be given in this type of gameplay.”
“The rogue-like features, swift and satisfying gameplay, and clean visuals are just so fun to play.”
“Even runs which reach the final boss don't take that long, which might be a downside once the game is more fleshed out, but currently, it ensures that you get to experience the whole breadth of the game's weapons and mechanics in a relatively short amount of play.”
“It feels like one of those games one would play on the phone in 2012, but with more content and better gameplay.”
“Maybe if there were actually hundreds of hours of gameplay to be had then sure... but there should still be a toggle at the least.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally praised for their good art style, clean visuals, and appealing colors, contributing to an enjoyable aesthetic. While there are minor glitches reported, particularly on handheld devices, the overall visual experience enhances the swift and satisfying gameplay.
“The rogue-like features, swift and satisfying gameplay, and clean visuals are just so fun to play.”
“Love the colors and aesthetic it has.”
“I've been playing it exclusively on my Steam Deck, and apart from some minor strange graphics glitches at the top and bottom of the screen, it feels like a perfect match for a handheld.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its relaxing and chill qualities, enhancing the overall experience, particularly during combat and multiplayer sessions. However, some players express a desire for more minimalist sound design, indicating that while the music is enjoyable, there is room for improvement.
“Very nice and relatively relaxing game (might just be because of the music).”
“The aiming while trying to dodge makes the game really fun, the music is very good too and the multiplayer could add a lot of replayability.”
“The music is pretty chill, but I would wish for some minimalist sound design.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers suggest that incorporating roguelite elements and small improvements with each playthrough could enhance replayability. The engaging gameplay mechanics, combined with enjoyable music and the potential for multiplayer features, contribute to a fun and replayable experience.
“The roguelite concept adds a layer of excitement, as small improvements each time significantly enhance the replayability.”
“The aiming mechanics combined with dodging create a fun experience, and the excellent music, along with multiplayer options, greatly boost the replayability.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its smooth performance and responsive controls, particularly with the snake mechanics and gun interactions. Players appreciate the seamless transitions between rounds, enhanced by a random start bonus system that adds to the overall experience.
“Your snake handles amazingly, and guns can shoot off by just barely scraping surfaces to avoid a lot of damage. The game runs smoothly, and transitioning from round to round is encouraging with a random start bonus to choose from, just like everything else.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it performs well despite some minor graphical glitches at the screen's edges.
“I've been playing it exclusively on my Steam Deck, and apart from some minor strange graphics glitches at the top and bottom of the screen, it feels like a perfect match for a handheld.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several instances of lag and stuttering, which really detracted from the overall experience.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story is praised for its "show, don't tell" approach, effectively engaging players through visual storytelling rather than exposition.
“It has a very 'show, don't tell' story, which is nice.”
