Steam Marines

53%
Game Brain Score Based on 189 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • music
Steam Marines Game Cover
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"Steam Marines" is a turn-based tactical game where players control a squad of steampunk marines fighting through procedurally generated ships filled with enemies. With a variety of weapons, items, and upgrades, players must strategize and adapt to survive each encounter. The game features permadeath, adding a layer of tension and challenge to every decision.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

53%
Audience ScoreBased on 189 reviews
gameplay7 positive mentions
music3 negative mentions
  • Steam Marines offers a challenging and strategic gameplay experience that rewards careful planning and tactical decision-making.
  • The retro pixel art style and atmospheric soundtrack contribute to an engaging and nostalgic gaming experience.
  • The game features permadeath and a variety of classes, adding depth and replayability as players learn from their mistakes.
  • The procedural generation often results in poorly designed levels, including rooms without exits, which can lead to frustrating gameplay.
  • The user interface is clunky and unclear, making it difficult for players to understand mechanics and manage their squad effectively.
  • The steep difficulty curve and lack of clear tutorials can make the game feel punishing and unwelcoming for new players.
  • gameplay47 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it initially satisfying but ultimately repetitive and lacking depth. While the mechanics are reminiscent of classic tactical games like XCOM, the unclear tutorial and clunky controls hinder the experience, leading to frustration rather than strategic enjoyment. Despite its retro charm and potential for fun, the game struggles with balance and variety, leaving some players disappointed.

    • “The gameplay itself can be surprisingly satisfying.”
    • “If you like roguelikes and you like tactical gameplay, and you don't mind (preferably like) the retro presentation, it's a pretty fun game.”
    • “What is fun about this game is that each scenario is completely random, so each start is almost like a fresh new start ... details, like paying attention to ammo, to doors that have bombs on them, or learning when it is worth to break down a wall to move to another room instead of using doors can mean the difference between life and death.”
    • “The actual game mechanics are centered around counting tiles your enemies will move next turn, staying out of their way, and guarding to shoot them when they advance.”
    • “Movement can be clunky sometimes and other mechanics are just plain awkward.”
    • “The game is fun for a little bit, but as you get farther along there's little variance in gameplay.”
  • graphics18 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that evokes a 90's 16-bit aesthetic, which many players appreciate for its nostalgic appeal. However, there are criticisms regarding the clarity and functionality of the visuals, as some users find them confusing and detrimental to gameplay, particularly in terms of item differentiation and navigation. Overall, while the art style contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, it also presents challenges that can hinder the player experience.

    • “Great art style.”
    • “Nice pixel-art style graphics and a well-chosen score set the mood for this broody journey through a spaceship taken over by killer robots!”
    • “It's got lovely pixel graphics and a very appropriate sense of gallows humor, but more importantly, it's a textbook example of classic turn-based design, applying the very best lessons from Sid Meier, to a small but very clever roguelike.”
    • “Graphics don't lend themselves towards differentiating items and terrain.”
    • “Total shit graphics, I can't even see what my units are doing.”
    • “It has promise but the game lacks decent graphics and sophisticated tactical gameplay.”
  • music9 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players find the soundtrack memorable and enjoyable, others criticize it for lacking variety and functionality, with instances of music stopping entirely. Overall, the sound design is seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing the positive aspects of the game's audio experience.

    • “I still hum the soundtrack every time I think of this game.”
    • “Game works pretty well on eyefinity/surround and features a nice soundtrack.”
    • “Sound and music: these are wholeheartedly terrible.”
    • “Often times the music stops working entirely, leaving you in silence, listening to the 8-bit 'pew-pew' noises of your guns.”
    • “There is no music, there is no variety; the tutorial in no way prepares you for the amount of missing information you'll find in the game.”
  • story6 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed reception regarding the story aspect, with some players noting a lack of narrative depth while others appreciate the improved storyline compared to previous iterations. Although the missions can be unclear, the engaging gameplay often overshadows the story's shortcomings, making it less of a focal point for many players. Overall, those seeking a strong narrative may be disappointed, but the gameplay experience remains compelling.

    • “Try halfway, it's very similar but seems to have dropped the complete randomness for a better storyline and a much more enjoyable play.”
    • “Want a squad-based game with RPG elements and story.”
    • “There is no story at all.”
    • “Unclear missions.”
    • “If you are looking for story, it seems that's all you're getting, but the gameplay is so engrossing you'll forget that pretty quickly!”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, "stability" in Steam Marines is a mixed bag; while some users report game-breaking bugs and glitches that detract from the experience, others note that the game performs relatively well for a title still in beta, with only minor control issues.

    • “Though Steam Marines was always a buggy mess not worth investing in.”
    • “That's exactly what he did, leaving tons of game-breaking bugs and glitches.”
    • “Controls seem on occasion buggy, which can be a minor nuisance.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The game features a blend of challenging gameplay and humor, characterized by its gallows humor and clever design. Players appreciate its funny moments and rewarding mechanics, making it an engaging experience for short gaming sessions. The pixel graphics complement the overall comedic tone, enhancing the enjoyment of the tactical gameplay.

    • “Its brutally hard, very funny, and rewarding.”
    • “It's got lovely pixel graphics and a very appropriate sense of gallows humor, but more importantly, it's a textbook example of classic turn-based design, applying the very best lessons from Sid Meier to a small but very clever roguelike.”
    • “The result is an at times funny, challenging, thrilling, and replayable team-based tactics game that is perfect for short gaming sessions.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The game is praised for its strong atmospheric elements, particularly evoking the feeling of a derelict spaceship reminiscent of the beloved board game. However, some users suggest that alternative titles, like a space hulk game on Steam, may offer a more satisfying experience in this regard.

    • “Overall, the game is very atmospheric.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategy has been criticized as resembling a cash grab, with users expressing skepticism about the developers' focus on advertising rather than delivering value.

    • “Looks like another Kickstarter cash grab to me.”
    • “Good job with the advertising, devs.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game offers high replayability through randomly generated levels, making it ideal for short gaming sessions while allowing players to refine their strategies and improve their squads. Its blend of humor and challenge further enhances the incentive to replay.

    • “The result is an at times funny, challenging, thrilling, and replayable team-based tactics game that is perfect for short gaming sessions.”
    • “Randomly generated levels provide endless replayability to perfect and level up your squad.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and monotonous, characterized by a slow progression through levels and a lack of engaging challenges, leading to a frustrating experience.

    • “It's neither of these, and just a boring slog through levels, tediously opening up rooms and waiting for enemies to come to you.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
    • “I found myself doing the same tasks over and over, which quickly became tedious and unfulfilling.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    The game's optimization is actively being enhanced by the developers, who are focused on improving performance and incorporating new features and animations.

    • “The developers continue to enhance performance, making the game better with new features and animations.”
    • “The optimization updates have significantly improved the game's responsiveness and overall experience.”
    • “I appreciate how the team is dedicated to refining the game, ensuring smoother gameplay and better graphics.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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