Operation STEEL

  • January 26, 2022
94%
Game Brain Score Based on 49 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Operation STEEL Game Cover
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Operation STEEL is a tactical first-person shooter that takes place in an alternate 1980s universe. Players can choose to be part of the Western Alliance or the Soviet Bloc, each with unique weapons and equipment. The game features objective-based multiplayer modes, where teamwork and strategy are essential to secure victory. Objectives vary from capturing bases to planting bombs, providing a variety of gameplay experiences.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • steam_deck
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 49 reviews
music8 positive mentions
  • Operation STEEL successfully combines roguelike elements with traditional shmup gameplay, offering a variety of weapons, bosses, and procedural levels that enhance replayability.
  • The game features tight controls and a well-balanced difficulty curve, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced players, with modes catering to different skill levels.
  • The art style, while not universally appealing, is complemented by catchy music and engaging gameplay, creating an enjoyable experience that keeps players coming back for more.
  • Some players find the visuals and backgrounds to be bland or reminiscent of older Flash games, lacking the polish expected from modern titles.
  • The randomization of weapon drops and upgrades can lead to frustrating runs where players feel stuck with ineffective loadouts, impacting the overall experience.
  • The game can be punishing for casual players, with some feeling that the novice mode does not sufficiently reduce the challenge, making it difficult for those with less experience in the genre.
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for being catchy, enjoyable, and well-suited to the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience without becoming annoying. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with some even purchasing the OST separately, and it is often compared favorably to classic game soundtracks. Overall, the combination of great music and stunning visuals contributes significantly to the game's appeal and immersive quality.

    • “Great shoot'em up with interesting procedural levels, great soundtrack, and very nice graphics.”
    • “The graphics are simply stunning, the music bangs, and those two alone keep you playing wanting more.”
    • “I had to pause to turn up the music during my first run in the demo and am often killed because I'm too busy enjoying the background music!”
    • “Sound and music are okay.”
    • “And the music?”
    • “I had to pause to turn up the music my first run in the demo and am often killed because I'm too busy enjoying the BGM, lmao.”
  • graphics15 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the elegant art style and colorful visuals, while others find them somewhat bland or reminiscent of older flash games. Despite some critiques regarding repetitive backgrounds, the overall aesthetic is considered competent and enjoyable, complemented by a strong soundtrack that enhances the gaming experience. Overall, the visuals are seen as a highlight, contributing to the game's appeal and nostalgic vibe.

    • “The graphics are simply stunning, the music bangs and those two alone keep you playing wanting more.”
    • “The visuals and music are also pleasing to the eyes and ears.”
    • “Difficulty feels just right and the colorful visuals are a treat.”
    • “The graphics remind me of well-made flash games.”
    • “My only real critique of Operation Steel is that the aesthetics, while highly competent, are a bit bland.”
    • “The only thing I don't like (other than the general art style, which is a personal preference) is that the backgrounds just loop over and over and aren't very interesting, but copious use of parallax makes it 'good enough.'”
  • gameplay14 mentions

    The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring tight controls, engaging mechanics, and a fair difficulty curve that keeps players invested. The integration of roguelike elements enhances the experience without feeling intrusive, while unique features like the coin-sucking mechanic add strategic depth. Overall, the combination of great boss variations, smooth animations, and solid level design contributes to a fun and challenging gameplay experience.

    • “Also has roguelike elements (mostly determining what bosses you'll face and power-ups you'll find) that are incorporated seamlessly and don't feel intrusive to the overall gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay is top notch, the difficulty curve is very fair and engaging, and the level design is fantastic.”
    • “Tight gameplay, awesome weapons, and powerful perks.”
    • “The game does alright for a mechanic I don't think generally works for this genre.”
    • “It just doesn't feel like there's enough meat on the bone of gameplay for me to keep coming back for that.”
    • “As for the gameplay itself?”
  • replayability9 mentions

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple branching paths, weapon upgrades, and the unlocking of new ships, encouraging players to explore different routes and strategies. Each playthrough introduces unique bosses and randomized encounters, enhancing the overall experience and making it addictive. Overall, players appreciate the variety and depth that contribute to the game's replay value.

    • “There are multiple branching level paths to choose from, which adds a lot of replay value.”
    • “Each playthrough (even those cut short by a game over) brings you closer to unlocking new ships and weapons, adding even more variety to an already replayable game!”
    • “Operation Steel manages to squeeze a surprising amount of replayability out of its weapon variety and randomized encounters.”
    • “Operation Steel manages to squeeze a surprising amount of replayability out of its weapon variety and randomized encounters.”
    • “Each playthrough (even those cut short by a game over) brings you closer to unlocking new ships and weapons, adding even more variety to an already replayable game!”
    • “Having different routes really gives it some replay value, and I was happy to see so many unique bosses on each playthrough.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its smooth controls and performance, particularly when using an Xbox controller. Additionally, the shop mechanic is designed to be run-specific, eliminating the need for grinding to earn upgrades, which enhances the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The shop mechanic is scoped to a run, and the credits you earn are based on player performance, so there is no grinding for upgrades, which is good.”
    • “Smooth controls and performance (played on Xbox controller as recommended).”
    • “The shop mechanic is scoped to a run, and the credits you earn are based on player performance, so there is no grinding for upgrades in this, which is good.”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “Despite the smooth controls, the overall performance feels inconsistent, especially in more demanding scenarios.”
  • story2 mentions

    Users express frustration with indie games that focus too heavily on the developer's backstory rather than delivering engaging gameplay. Many players prefer a straightforward experience centered on action rather than narrative depth.

    • “One thing I absolutely cannot stand about a lot of indie games is when the developer gives some sob story about the creation of their game.”
    • “Not bothering me with story; I came to shoot things and dodge bullets.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players appreciate that the game avoids traditional grinding mechanics, as upgrades are tied to performance within each run rather than requiring repetitive tasks to earn credits. This design choice is seen as a positive aspect, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The shop mechanic is scoped to a run, and the credits you earn are based on player performance, so there is no grinding for upgrades in this, which is good.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a heartfelt message that conveys positivity, resonating with players on a personal level.

    • “Just a nice, little heartfelt message with a sprinkle of positivity on it.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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