SENTIENT STEEL

About

SENTIENT STEEL is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by Etcher and was released on February 9, 2024. It received positive reviews from players.

BYTE BACK! In an instant, the city is overrun with Machines. A synthetic infection crawls its way through the streets. An underground society, with experimental tech in hand, scrambles to stop the rogue Artificial Intelligence and its creations. Face the fight alone, or team up with a friend, and stop the destruction! COMBAT SENTIENT STEEL features intense and accessible combat, which can be gr…

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90%

Audience ScoreBased on 10 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

character development1 negative mentions

Engaging and fun gameplay combining wall running, sword, and gun combat with a modern yet nostalgic 2.5D platformer aesthetic.
Well-designed levels with smooth progression and frequent introduction of new mechanics, keeping the gameplay fresh and challenging.
Strong indie development with polished visuals, enjoyable co-op mode, customizable upgrades and modifiers, and a catchy soundtrack.

Movement and controls can feel stiff and slower than expected, especially dashing and jumping mechanics, detracting from fast-paced platforming.
Story and character development are minimal and uninspired, with limited impact on player engagement.
Side-scrolling shoot-em-up segments are simple and less satisfying, offering little challenge or excitement compared to core gameplay.

gameplay
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
37%
27%
The gameplay is engaging and well-paced, blending flashy mechanics like wall running and mixed weapon combat with smooth, intuitive progression and tutorials. Mechanics are introduced thoughtfully to maintain freshness without becoming repetitive, making it accessible for both newcomers and experienced platformer fans. Overall, it offers a solid challenge and satisfying platforming experience with clear guidance and varied level design.
- “All the mechanics are introduced in a way that makes sense, without being shoehorned, and the levels are all a good length without overstaying their welcome.”
- “A really well thought through introduction to new mechanics during the levels and never leaves you confused about what you’re supposed to be doing.”
- “The tutorial doesn’t bore you to death; instead, it smoothly ropes you into the gameplay, which is pretty neat, especially if you're playing with someone who's not a platformer pro.”
- “Nice platformer with the basics, but still makes challenge the core of the gameplay.”
- “Gameplay and controls are spot-on for a platformer, though the no vertical shooting mechanic feels like a quirky design choice that may frustrate some players.”
- “Sometimes you might learn a mechanic that could have been used in an earlier level to access a hidden unlockable, which disrupts the flow and rewards exploration inconsistently.”
graphics
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
57%
The game's graphics feature a nostalgic, charming 2.5D art style with beautiful colors and dynamic day-night shadows that enhance readability during fast-paced gameplay. The consistent yet varied environments keep the visuals engaging, making it a well-crafted indie title with appealing aesthetics.
- “I really like the art style; it feels quite nostalgic with beautiful colors and shadows for the day-night cycle.”
- “The art style did not bother me; in fact, I found it surprisingly readable while playing for something so fast-paced.”
- “The game looks and sounds great, giving a strong and charming aesthetic.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The story is minimally developed and somewhat lackluster, providing just enough context to convey the game’s setting. Main character design is also uninspired, while the mission structure remains straightforward without much narrative depth.
- “The music is decent, and the story isn't massively developed, but just enough that you get a bit of a feeling for the world it is set in.”
- “As you complete missions, more areas open up on the map you're moving through.”
- “A mission is a pretty straightforward mix of platforming and shooting where the objective is to reach the end and destroy the machine heart.”
- “Story and main character design are lackluster.”
- “The story isn't massively developed, offering only just enough to give a bit of a feeling for the world it is set in.”
- “The narrative lacks depth and fails to engage the player meaningfully.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music features a great and catchy soundtrack that effectively complements the game's world, leaving a memorable impression on players.
- “Great soundtrack.”
- “The music is decent, and the story isn't massively developed, but just enough that you get a bit of a feeling for the world it is set in.”
- “The soundtrack is incredibly catchy, and I caught myself humming along on more than one occasion.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is generally seen as weak, with the story and main character design described as lackluster and unengaging.
- “Story and main character design are lackluster.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers strong replayability, particularly appealing to speedrunners, with potential for multiple playthroughs and skill improvement.