Ironcast

74%
Game Brain Score Based on 725 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Ironcast Game Cover
Ironcast is a steampunk turn-based strategy game with match-three puzzle elements and somehow that all works out nicely.
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"Ironcast" is a single-player turn-based strategy game, set in a Victorian era alternate history, where players control giant walking war machines. Combat is inspired by resource management, with a roguelite campaign mode that offers high replayability and permanent death, but persistent rewards. The game boasts excellent graphics, music, and atmospheric setting, though some bugs and grinding may be present.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 725 reviews
story62 positive mentions
grinding33 negative mentions
  • Unique blend of match-3 gameplay with tactical turn-based combat in a steampunk setting.
  • Engaging story and well-designed characters that add depth to the gameplay.
  • Global unlock system provides a sense of progression even after failures.
  • Heavy reliance on RNG can lead to frustrating experiences where victories feel out of the player's control.
  • Limited variety in missions and characters can make the game feel repetitive after a few playthroughs.
  • Difficulty spikes, especially with bosses, can be discouraging for players.
  • story529 mentions

    The story of Ironcast is set in a steampunk universe where players engage in mech battles to defend Britain from a French invasion. While the narrative is generally considered engaging and well-presented, many reviewers note that it lacks depth and variety, often feeling repetitive due to the limited number of missions and the reliance on random generation. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a driving force, with some players expressing a desire for more substantial narrative content and character development.

    • “The presentation is superb, the theme is fantastic, and the story itself is excellent.”
    • “In terms of story pacing, it's a masterpiece, with incredible execution on the 'you thought this was going to be the final boss?' genre.”
    • “The atmosphere and the steampunk setting is just awesome and there has been put quite the effort into world building and storytelling.”
    • “The story is forgettable.”
    • “The missions and plot are meaningless fluff.”
    • “You'll stop caring about the story after the tutorial mission.”
  • gameplay289 mentions

    The gameplay of Ironcast combines match-3 mechanics with turn-based combat and resource management, set in a steampunk universe. While many players appreciate the strategic depth and engaging mechanics, others criticize the heavy reliance on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences and a sense of unfairness. Overall, the game offers a unique twist on traditional match-3 gameplay, but its balance between strategy and luck can be polarizing among players.

    • “The core gameplay is that matches most often give resources that can be used for various mech actions: attack, defense, or repair.”
    • “Gameplay is a combination of match-3 puzzles and turn-based combat.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and challenging, with the rogue-lite aspect it feels fresh at all times.”
    • “Unfortunately, more than the genre, the world in which it was developed, namely in a match-3 style, did not appeal to me at all, making my gameplay completely boring and exhausting.”
    • “The gameplay is lackluster, taking all the worst elements from the match-3 genre and adding nothing new, ultimately gutting the few elements of fun that are usually present in such games.”
    • “The extreme amount of randomness in the gameplay sadly gets frustrating very quickly and basically wrestles control of the game away from the player.”
  • graphics93 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received praise for their attractive steampunk aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting the art style as a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some noted that the visuals are simple, they effectively complement the gameplay and atmosphere, creating an immersive environment. However, a few users experienced performance issues, such as lag, despite the graphics being considered not overly demanding.

    • “The aesthetic of the ironcast's is well executed; I can believe they could have been created in the late 1800s. I also like the attention to detail with the map and history of the ironcast's - the mentioning of prominent English landmarks is a lovely touch and grounds the game.”
    • “The graphics are very nice and are well done.”
    • “The look of the game is top notch with an exquisitely hand-drawn steampunk art style that really pops out.”
    • “Also lags quite badly for such simple graphics on my laptop.”
    • “Would be okay as a mobile game, but this game uses over-bloated graphics for a pretty lame gaming experience.”
    • “My only gripe is the graphics are a little lack-luster.”
  • replayability59 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players appreciate the variety of mechs, characters, and strategies that encourage multiple playthroughs, others find the repetitive missions and limited content diminish long-term engagement. Unlockable elements and a roguelite structure contribute positively to replay value, but some players express a desire for more diverse missions and storylines to enhance the experience. Overall, the game offers decent replayability, particularly for fans of puzzle mechanics and resource management, but it may not sustain interest for everyone after the initial runs.

    • “Unlockable mechs and characters, as well as a multitude of potential builds, adds replayability!”
    • “The game mechanic is refreshing and engaging, and the game has a very high replay value.”
    • “With a variety of characters to play as and several robots to pilot, there is a lot of replayability.”
    • “Ironcast has a decent storyline, design scheme, and soundtrack; though one of its few downsides is the lack of replayability once you finish the main story.”
    • “The only problem I have with it is that it could use more content to expand its replayability.”
    • “It's fun to play through a couple of times, but after you have beaten the game once or twice, you know all the weapons and most of the missions, lowering the replayability of the game significantly.”
  • music39 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many praising its quality and how it complements the steampunk aesthetic and gameplay. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite this, the music is often described as memorable and effective in enhancing the game's atmosphere.

    • “The music, sound effects, and graphics work perfectly in unison to immerse you into Ironcast’s steampunk world and build tension during battles.”
    • “The soundtrack is memorable when you have a moment to listen to it, but it won't be the first thing you notice in the heat of the moment.”
    • “The art is effective at creating this alternate Victorian steampunk world and the sounds and music are pleasant enough.”
    • “The music, sound, and story are really annoying, and the gameplay is slow and repetitive.”
    • “The music started to annoy me after a while, but was fun for the first hour.”
    • “The art is nice, the music gets repetitive and the theme is awesome.”
  • grinding33 mentions

    The reviews highlight that the game suffers from excessive grinding, often leading to frustration due to its high difficulty and reliance on RNG mechanics. Players note that the grind is necessary for progression and achieving milestones, but it can quickly become tedious and repetitive, detracting from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the game's mechanics and atmosphere, the overwhelming grind and lack of meaningful rewards make it a challenging experience that may deter casual players.

    • “The main flaw with this game is that it takes a lot of grinding.”
    • “It's a fun idea, and I love match-three games with interesting mechanics, but it gets grindy and boring really, really fast.”
    • “Ironcast offers some frantic match-3 action in a Victorian steampunk setting; sadly, this great premise is squandered by an often frustrating and grindy gameplay.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich steampunk setting and immersive world-building, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the compelling storyline, polished graphics, and satisfying gameplay mechanics, all of which enhance the game's engaging atmosphere. The combination of elegant design and atmospheric music further solidifies its appeal, making it a standout choice for fans of the genre.

    • “The atmosphere and the steampunk setting is just awesome and there has been put quite the effort into world building and storytelling.”
    • “The steampunk atmosphere is lovely and the whole game feels very polished and responsive; even the act of clicking buttons feels satisfying.”
    • “Good art style that fits the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and the steampunk setting is just awesome and there has been quite the effort put into world building and storytelling.”
    • “It can be grindy, but any match-3 puzzle game is by its nature extremely grindy; but the atmosphere and artwork, as well as elegant design, really make this a must-buy for match-3 fans.”
    • “Personally, I like the low-key graphics; they don't distract from the core gameplay, but they give the right atmosphere, which is important here.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mix of quirky writing and amusing dialogue, often reflecting a comedic take on 19th century England. While some players find the humor effective and entertaining, others note that certain jokes fall flat or are overshadowed by gameplay imbalances. Overall, it serves as a light-hearted distraction, with moments of genuine wit amidst the chaos of gameplay.

    • “The dialog is well-written and funny at times, bringing to life 19th century England on a budget.”
    • “This game is really well done... great humor, tense perma-death gameplay, awesome puzzler and sweet art!”
    • “The vanilla game is pretty funny.”
  • stability12 mentions

    The game's stability is mixed, with some users reporting a generally smooth experience free of crashes and major bugs, while others highlight significant issues with the save system that can lead to lost progress during battles or after crashes. Although a new publisher released a bug-fixed version for the Switch, players on PC still encounter frustrating glitches and bugs, particularly related to saving and freezing during gameplay. Overall, while some players enjoy a stable experience, others face recurring issues that detract from their enjoyment.

    • “No glitches, and the game runs exactly as it was intended to.”
    • “It runs great, bug and crash free.”
    • “On the plus side, the presentation of the game is good and it is bug free.”
    • “Buggy game was abandoned a few months after the Kickstarter release in 2015; a new publisher released a bug-fixed version on Switch which they never backported to PC.”
    • “The weird way the roguelike aspects are coded leads to the loss of all campaign progress if it freezes while inside a battle, which is super frustrating after having sunk 2 hours into a playthrough!”
    • “If you quit during a mission, or the game crashes, or freezes, or the cursor freezes up so that you can't do anything, or your computer reboots for an update, you lose everything.”
  • optimization8 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game has received mixed reviews. While some players report smooth performance without crashes or significant issues, others experience stuttering and performance drops, particularly due to RNG factors affecting gameplay. The game's extensive upgrade and combat systems are praised, but the inconsistency in performance can detract from the overall experience.

    • “Link gems allow you to create multi-colored chains, and are where most turn efficiency and optimization comes from.”
    • “Ironcast has an extensive upgrade and combat system that is very well integrated, with a wide variety of enemies that appear in the missions, providing gamers with a simple 'immune-from-defeat-super-optimized' build that most puzzle games notoriously possess.”
    • “Performance should not be an issue unless your computer is literally a potato - I ran this on a Dell laptop with an i3 and it ran just fine.”
    • “At one time this connection probably worked, but it doesn't anymore, and that timeout is what's causing the stuttering every 30 seconds or so.”
    • “The reason why I am not recommending this game and am advising you not to purchase it like I foolishly did is the game's performance.”
    • “Unfortunately, I don't know that it will improve the performance of some.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, which enhances the overall experience and value for players who have paid for it. Reviewers appreciate that it avoids the common pitfalls of free-to-play models that often pressure players into spending more money to progress.

    • “There are no microtransactions, which I like a lot.”
    • “It's hard to thumbs down a game that works properly, doesn't have microtransactions and tons of DLC.”
    • “If I hadn't paid good money for this, I'd expect to see it as a free-to-play on my phone - the kind that all but forces one to engage in microtransactions to progress.”
    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game purchases.”
    • “It's frustrating to see essential content locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
    • “The game is fun, but the aggressive monetization tactics really detract from the overall experience.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its intense and heart-wrenching themes of repeated loss, which may overshadow the engaging gameplay mechanics. This emotional weight can detract from the enjoyment of the resource gathering elements, as players may find it difficult to fully appreciate the gameplay due to the heavy narrative.

    • “Suggested for anyone who can stomach repeated and heart-wrenching loss.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in the game features a cross-game progression system, where players enhance their characters' stats and equipment through repeated play. This design encourages players to engage in multiple games, often facing high odds of losing initially, to accumulate upgrades necessary for a better chance against tougher challenges, particularly the final boss.

    • “The cross-game character development system is impressive; as you progress through multiple games, you start with increased health and better equipment. The balancing is well thought out, requiring players to engage in several games to gather enough upgrades for a fair chance against the final boss.”
    • “Character development is deeply rewarding, as it allows players to see tangible growth in their abilities and resources over time, making each game feel more impactful.”
    • “I love how character development is tied to the overall gameplay experience. It encourages players to invest time and effort into their characters, leading to a satisfying sense of progression.”
    • “The character development feels incredibly slow and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “I found the character progression to be unbalanced, as it requires an excessive amount of grinding to unlock meaningful upgrades.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in character development left me feeling disconnected from my character's growth.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

64% average critic score

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Play time

24hMedian play time
30hAverage play time
10-50hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

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