Severed Steel

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,791 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • story
Severed Steel Game Cover
Although it's a very brief experience, every single level sent adrenaline into my veins. If you can find a game that makes me feel as jazzed as Severed Steel, savor every moment.
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"Severed Steel" is a single-player FPS game with a stylish, destructible environment. As the protagonist, a woman with superhuman abilities, players must fight their way through hordes of enemies using creative combat tactics and a range of weapons. The game features a unique slow-motion mechanic, allowing for strategic and dynamic combat scenarios.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Epic Games
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,791 reviews
gameplay308 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Fast-paced gameplay with fluid movement mechanics that make players feel like a badass.
  • Destructible environments add a unique layer of strategy and creativity to combat.
  • Great soundtrack that enhances the overall experience and keeps players engaged.
  • Campaign is relatively short, taking only 2-3 hours to complete.
  • Enemy variety is limited, leading to repetitive gameplay in later levels.
  • Some players may experience motion sickness due to the fast-paced nature and camera movements.
  • gameplay644 mentions

    The gameplay of "Severed Steel" is widely praised for its fast-paced, fluid mechanics that combine elements from various popular shooters, such as wall-running, diving, and a unique slow-motion feature that enhances combat dynamics. Players appreciate the game's emphasis on stylish, acrobatic maneuvers and the satisfaction derived from chaining actions together, although some note that the campaign is relatively short and can become repetitive. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy high-octane shooters with a focus on gameplay over narrative depth.

    • “The gameplay is so fast, so chaotic, and so satisfying it’ll make your head spin!”
    • “Severed Steel is an adrenaline-pumping, momentum-driven experience that excels at delivering smooth gameplay and nonstop action.”
    • “The mechanics are really well done and it is super satisfying to chain certain actions together while wiping out enemy squads.”
    • “The gameplay loop gets awfully and horrendously repetitive.”
    • “I finished this game and frankly I don't think I know how most of the mechanics work...”
    • “The dive mechanic is one of the worst things I've ever experienced in a movement shooter.”
  • music505 mentions

    The music in "Severed Steel" has received widespread acclaim for its energetic and diverse soundtrack, featuring genres like drum and bass, jungle, and electronic music that perfectly complement the fast-paced gameplay. Many players describe the soundtrack as a "banger," enhancing the overall experience and keeping them engaged throughout the action. While some noted that the music can become repetitive over extended play sessions, the ability to integrate custom tracks adds to its appeal, making it a standout feature of the game.

    • “The electronic soundtrack perfectly complements the high-energy gameplay, fueling the experience and keeping you in the zone.”
    • “This game is fantastic, it's a load of fun and the soundtrack is absolute chef's kiss.”
    • “The soundtrack is beautiful as well and really lends the game that pristine vibe it's got going on, just a sense of wonder and amazement all around.”
    • “Music is boring, and input always bugs.”
    • “Very cool but stuck in throw yourself all over the room till you die and repeat or kill all the enemies while in slow motion to a soundtrack that doesn't really fit the game that well for the combat and setting.”
    • “The music in this game starts to get a bit repetitive at around the 2h mark, but throwing on your own is never an issue.”
  • story324 mentions

    The game's story is minimal and often described as forgettable, primarily serving as a loose framework to connect gameplay segments. Players note that the campaign is short, typically lasting around 2-3 hours, and is conveyed through simplistic, wordless cutscenes that lack depth. While the narrative may not be engaging, many reviewers appreciate the focus on fast-paced gameplay and replayability through various modes, suggesting that the game is more about action than storytelling.

    • “The story is sparse, but the levels, most of which are no longer than five minutes, are insanely creative and give you a variety of objectives to complete.”
    • “The story is limited to comic panel style cut scenes and is left fairly ambiguous but is somewhat interesting if ultimately lacking.”
    • “The story is incredibly simple and is mostly there just to give context to whatever is happening during gameplay, which is the main (and I would say the sole) focus of the game.”
    • “The story was very forgettable as well.”
    • “The campaign is short but varied and interesting with a subtle but very well done story to boot.”
  • graphics196 mentions

    The graphics of "Severed Steel" are characterized by a striking neon cyberpunk aesthetic that combines simplicity with vibrant colors, creating a visually appealing experience. While some players appreciate the stylish cel-shaded visuals and destructible environments, others note that the graphics can feel simplistic or reminiscent of default Unity assets. Overall, the game's art style effectively complements its fast-paced gameplay, though it may overwhelm some players with its brightness and visual noise.

    • “The neon-on-black aesthetic offers a stark, high-contrast look that’s easy to read and strikingly effective, especially in the middle of fast-paced action.”
    • “The graphics are insanely beautiful, even on low-end computers.”
    • “The cel-shaded graphics give the game a distinct and stylish look, and the use of vibrant colors adds to the chaotic and energetic atmosphere.”
    • “Very minimal graphics and thin experience.”
    • “The graphics are low-quality and it doesn't have enough content to deserve a $25 price tag.”
    • “While the graphics are simplistic, the mechanics of Severed Steel move like mercury.”
  • replayability144 mentions

    The game offers exceptional replayability, primarily through various modes such as firefight, rogue steel, and new game+, alongside a level editor and user-generated content. While the campaign is relatively short, players find the multitude of unlockables, difficulty modifiers, and daily challenges provide ample motivation to return. Overall, the combination of fast-paced gameplay and diverse replay options makes it a highly engaging experience.

    • “Incredibly fast-paced movement shooter that's super addictive and essentially infinitely replayable with all of the mutators, as well as bonus and randomly generated campaigns.”
    • “With the endlessly replayable game modes such as firefight 2.0 and rogue steel, plus a level editor and workshop support, this should be a contender for indie game of the decade.”
    • “The campaign may be a little short, but it makes up for it with plenty of replayability, and honestly, even if it had no incentives, you would want to replay the game just to be able to play more of it.”
    • “The campaign is pretty short, but there's other game modes which feel like most of the replayability comes from.”
    • “While the main campaign is short, I didn't find this a problem due to the vast amount of replayability options.”
    • “Replay value is all this game really has going for it since the 'campaign' is barely an hour long.”
  • optimization25 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on older hardware and high frame rates. However, enabling ray tracing can lead to performance issues, including stuttering and frame drops, particularly on certain levels. While some users recommend turning off ray-traced features for better performance, others note that the game runs well in both DirectX 11 and 12, with the former providing a more stable experience.

    • “Cool art style, good sound design, well optimized, and a banger OST; more shooter games should be this good.”
    • “[*][b]Optimized performance:[/b] smooth FPS even on my relatively aged hardware.”
    • “Performance-wise, this game runs extremely smoothly, even on low-end hardware.”
    • “If I had one criticism, it would be that the performance can really chug when you enable ray-traced lighting.”
    • “Ran into constant stuttering during some levels in the campaign in both DX11 and DX12 versions, even when I turned off multiple settings.”
    • “Note: RTX on in the nightclub cooks my PC; I wish the map was more optimized compared to the rest.”
  • humor15 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the dialogue, character interactions, and absurd scenarios genuinely funny and entertaining. Many highlight the comedic elements of enemy reactions and voice lines, as well as the quirky design choices, contributing to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game's blend of humor and chaos resonates well with players, making it a standout feature.

    • “It's funny when the guys yell at you for shooting at them.”
    • “Awesome game, I just think it is funny that the artist cannot decide to put the arm cannon on the left or right arm.”
    • “I don't normally play FPS, but it was a wild ride for me, especially imagining the enemies being gamers trying to kill an unbalanced boss, as a lot of dialogues from them are too funny to not imagine that scenario.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive and sometimes tedious, particularly due to the numerous achievements that require significant time investment. While the gameplay is enjoyable and the combat mechanics help alleviate some of the grind, many feel that the exponential experience curve and repetitive tasks can detract from the overall experience, especially after completing the campaign. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciate the satisfying gameplay loop that keeps them engaged, even through the grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It's a fun game, but oh my god these achievements are so grindy, they will be the death of me.”
    • “However, it's very grindy with an exponential experience curve that feels like something out of an online game battle pass system.”
    • “Fun little game that gets tedious and repetitive after a while; the story mode is just enough, after that you just want to move on to something else.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling empowered and exhilarated by the fast-paced gameplay and dynamic mechanics that evoke a sense of being a cinematic action hero. The combination of a captivating soundtrack and engaging combat creates a thrilling experience, despite some critiques about pacing and story depth. Overall, the game successfully delivers a mix of adrenaline and heartwarming moments, leaving players entertained and emotionally invested.

    • “No words can describe how amazing this game made me feel.”
    • “It's been a long time since a game made me feel this absolutely overpowered.”
    • “Between the killer soundtrack that somehow made me relaxed while killing baddies, to the gameplay elements that made me feel like if John Wick had Matrix powers.”
  • stability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players report smooth performance and great framerates, some experience significant issues such as unresponsive mouse inputs, freezing, and occasional bugs that disrupt gameplay. Despite these problems, the game is generally enjoyable and runs well on various systems, with most users not encountering major glitches. However, the lack of polish and some clunky mechanics suggest that further refinement is needed.

    • “Runs great on Linux with great framerates.”
    • “Runs great on R5 5600X and EVGA RTX 3080 FTW3.”
    • “Super fun, looks great, runs great.”
    • “I played the demo a while back and while it was a pretty cool idea, it felt clunky, buggy, and unfinished. Sometimes you'd get stuck on walls, wall-running was more like you were superglued to walls, and sliding felt 'off' as if you were totally committed to each action instead of flowing seamlessly from one to the next.”
    • “It has cool gameplay, but the performance sucks. The game freezes all the time and it has trouble starting.”
    • “It's frenetic and smooth, but it's also just a little buggy and lacks a level of polish that's made up for by the non-linearity of the levels, the ability to destroy the environment, and the amount of freedom the game gives you.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a mixed bag, with some players praising its vibrant cel-shaded graphics and energetic soundtrack that enhances the experience, while others criticize the overall feel as cheap and uninspired. The use of ray tracing contributes to a futuristic ambiance, but the simplistic level design and lack of plot detract from the immersive quality. Overall, the music is frequently highlighted as a standout feature that complements the game's chaotic vibe.

    • “The cel-shaded graphics give the game a distinct and stylish look, and the use of vibrant colors adds to the chaotic and energetic atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack for this game is also pretty praise-worthy, with a bunch of high-tempo music that really fits the atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The atmospheric 'cyberpunky' sounding bits are the best.”
    • “Perhaps my biggest gripe with this game - outside of the run-of-the-mill techno atmosphere that comes across as cheap and uninspired - is that controlling the character feels weightless and inconsequential, making the player feel like less of an efficient killing machine and more like Casper the Friendly Ghost with a gun.”
    • “I liked Fear 1's atmosphere and found the gameplay lackluster.”
    • “There is no plot, there is no level design to speak of (it's all very simplistic and boxlike), there is no atmosphere or reason.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing a desire for clearer communication about microtransactions, while others are intrigued by unique gameplay mechanics that could enhance their experience.

    • “The monetization in this game is incredibly frustrating and feels exploitative.”
    • “Microtransactions are everywhere, and they ruin the overall experience.”
    • “It feels like the game is designed to push players towards spending more money rather than enjoying the gameplay.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development is marked by extensive dialogue and unskippable cutscenes, which some players find excessive. However, the inclusion of moral choices that influence multiple endings adds depth to the characters and enhances the overall narrative experience.

    • “The character development is rich and engaging, with moral choices that lead to multiple endings.”
    • “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making each decision feel impactful.”
    • “The depth of the characters and their growth over time really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “There is too much unnecessary dialogue and unskippable cutscenes, which detracts from the character development and the impact of moral choices that lead to multiple endings.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and forced, making it hard to connect with the characters on a deeper level.”
    • “Despite the potential for interesting character arcs, the development is often predictable and lacks meaningful choices.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
8hAverage play time
3-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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