SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech
- May 31, 2019
- Image & Form Games
- 18h median play time
A delightfully whimsical steampunk-RPG romp and you’d have to be malfunctioning to miss out on it.
Get on SteamSteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech is a role-playing game with deck-building mechanics set in the SteamWorld universe. Players control a party of steambot heroes, using cards to plan attacks and strategize during battles. The game features a hand-drawn art style, a rich story, and various customization options for the characters and their decks.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Engaging card-based combat system that allows for strategic deck building and character synergies.
- Charming art style and humorous writing that adds personality to the characters and story.
- Decent length of gameplay with a variety of cards and characters to experiment with.
- Repetitive enemy encounters and linear level design that can lead to boredom.
- Lack of meaningful character development and a predictable story.
- No option to save deck loadouts, making it tedious to switch between different strategies.
- story545 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Steamworld Quest" is generally described as charming and lighthearted, featuring a classic good versus evil narrative with humorous elements. While many players find the characters likable and the writing enjoyable, the overall plot is often criticized for being predictable and lacking depth, with some noting that it feels more like a children's tale. Despite its simplicity, the story serves as a backdrop for engaging gameplay, though it may not hold the attention of those seeking a more complex narrative.
“The story is light and full of humor, as was also the case for other Steamworld games.”
“The story is a well-struck balance between crude humor and sweeping narrative with strong themes that display heroism in all shapes and sizes.”
“The story is cute and the characters are very likable and fun to play/experiment with.”
“The story is lackluster, the mechanism of how you navigate the world isn't very fun, and generally the game feels like a bit of a slog.”
“The story leaves a bit to be desired and the characters aren't as charming as the game thinks they are, but the actual gameplay with the cards is a good time.”
“The story is very straightforward, but the typical humor comes through well without getting too corny.”
- gameplay365 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Steamworld Quest" is characterized by its engaging card-based mechanics that blend traditional RPG elements with deck-building strategies, offering a fun and accessible experience. While many players appreciate the charming art style and the variety of card combinations, some criticize the gameplay for being simplistic and repetitive, particularly in the later stages. Overall, the game provides a solid foundation for both newcomers and fans of the genre, though it may lack the depth and challenge sought by more experienced players.
“Beautifully combining the uniquely charming art style and witty character writing that is a staple of all games in the 'SteamWorld' series with a simple to understand but addictively fun gameplay loop, 'SteamWorld Quest' might turn some fans of the genre off due to its overall simplistic approach to its story and combat mechanics, but for everyone else, it's a really fun turn-based RPG that is neither any more complicated than it should be nor overstays its welcome.”
“The balance is really good, the diversity and creativity in gameplay is awesome, and the style of randomness in this deckbuilder has a unique twist compared to other deckbuilders.”
“The gameplay is excellent, showing great ideas as a card-based RPG.”
“The downside to this game is, in fact, the gameplay.”
“While the combat as a whole is fine, (although a bit simple), the mechanics aren't that deep or exciting.”
“The gameplay itself isn't that amazing to justify that amount of cutscenes.”
- graphics160 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received a mixed reception, with many praising the charming and colorful art style, which is consistent with the SteamWorld franchise's aesthetic. While some players appreciate the hand-drawn visuals and unique character designs, others have noted issues such as low resolution on higher settings and a lack of graphical options. Overall, the visuals are generally considered appealing and engaging, contributing positively to the game's whimsical atmosphere.
“The captivating narrative, accompanied by stunning visuals and an enchanting soundtrack, immerses players in a steampunk-fantasy world.”
“Beautifully combining the uniquely charming art style and witty character writing that is a staple of all games in the 'SteamWorld' series.”
“An utterly delightful game set in a beautifully designed world with whimsical artwork and music.”
“The graphics are very amateurish, very muddy.”
“A huge step back considered the very clean and stylish graphics of the former SteamWorld games.”
“For some reason the developers didn't give players the option to change the resolution, so the graphics are pretty bad and fuzzy on my 1440p monitor.”
- music123 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting standout tracks, particularly during combat and boss battles. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, detracting from the enjoyment. Overall, the combination of engaging music and beautiful visuals contributes significantly to the game's charm and atmosphere.
“The captivating narrative, accompanied by stunning visuals and an enchanting soundtrack, immerses players in a steampunk-fantasy world.”
“The game's story does not disappoint and is enhanced by a wonderful soundtrack.”
“An utterly delightful game set in a beautifully designed world with whimsical artwork and music.”
“The music is thematically fitting if a little unimpressive but does a well enough job enhancing the experience while not being particularly noteworthy.”
“The music is uninspired.”
“As good as some of the tracks are, it's just really boring when the same song plays over and over again.”
- grinding85 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's grinding aspect has received mixed feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, especially in the late game where battles can feel drawn out and unengaging. While some appreciate the option to grind for upgrades and materials, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, making the gameplay feel unnecessarily prolonged. However, a few players noted that it's possible to complete the game with minimal grinding if strategic choices are made, suggesting a balance between casual play and the grind-heavy elements.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“On my first playthrough (no grinding), I did game over a total of three times, two because I refused to use a revive item.”
“But this one stuck out to me due to its repetitive post-game, making it quite tedious to complete.”
“Whenever the game forces you to adopt certain characters, fighting styles, cards, or upgrades, you'll end up grinding for them, which just kills the vibe of the game in my opinion; similar to Pokémon, only leveling up in Pokémon can be fun, here it really isn't.”
“The game is also quite long, and honestly got a bit tedious at the end.”
- humor76 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is generally well-received, characterized by quirky dialogue, charming characters, and a lighthearted tone that aligns with the SteamWorld universe. While many players appreciate the comedic elements and find them enjoyable, some critiques note that the humor can occasionally fall flat or feel forced, with a few reviewers describing the story as basic and not particularly original. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its gameplay mechanics, making for an entertaining experience.
“The story is light and full of humor, as was also the case for other SteamWorld games.”
“The cheerful banter between the characters is absolutely spot on, with a few moments so unexpectedly funny I was just gaping at the screen before laughing.”
“It has a funny and decent story with well-defined characters.”
- replayability39 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the New Game+ mode and different character choices that offer varied experiences, while others find the story-driven nature and lack of randomization limit replay value. Many reviews highlight that while there are options for higher difficulty and some unique mechanics, the overall replayability is not particularly high, with several players expressing satisfaction after completing the main story without a strong desire to replay.
“With 3 out of 5 characters to choose from, your story mode will be different from your neighbor's, and there's some room for replayability.”
“New game+ gives more replayability.”
“This game does have replayability; there is an arena which is fun, and you can start new game+ with all your cards, items, and money and get to play on a harder difficulty (which is much harder).”
“The main campaign isn't especially long, and the lack of randomization and meaningful deck building definitely hurts replayability, but it's not a bad campaign by any means and you do have some additional difficulty modes.”
“Unfortunately it's relatively short and has low replayability.”
“It is a solid game, but do not confuse it with a punishing roguelike; you will not get replayability or challenge on par with Slay the Spire.”
- character development24 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the character development in the game is a mixed bag; while the character designs are praised for their uniqueness and artistic quality, many reviewers feel that the depth of character development is lacking, with some describing it as simplistic or insufficient to engage players fully. The integration of character design with gameplay elements, such as deckbuilding, is noted as a positive aspect, but the narrative itself often serves as a mere backdrop rather than a driving force for character growth.
“The story is fairly simple and seems to serve mainly as a backdrop for our heroes' character development.”
“Character development is top notch; I wish full party-based RPGs had character development this good.”
“Great combination of storyline, character development, and seamless gameplay.”
“The story is very boring and has essentially no character development; certainly did not encourage me to continue.”
“The only character development is contained entirely within the story.”
“Tldr - no decisions to make whether it is actual combat, character development/deckbuilding, or exploration.”
- emotional16 mentions
- 94 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its heartwarming story, charming characters, and beautiful soundtrack, which evoke feelings of nostalgia and innocence. Players appreciate the balance of humor and heroic moments, creating a wholesome experience that resonates deeply, though some critique the narrative dissonance and find it less impactful for seasoned RPG players. Overall, it offers a touching journey that leaves a lasting emotional impression.
“The soundtrack is beautiful and emotional, especially the last song.”
“This is the first time in a long time that I have felt that innocent wholesome happiness from recent media, not just video games.”
“Playing through SteamWorld Quest was heartwarming and provided the right amount of challenge on the Legend difficulty to keep it entertaining while the classic tale about good and evil and camaraderie unfolded.”
“The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
“I found the narrative to be dull, lacking the emotional depth I was hoping for.”
“The emotional aspects of the game were overshadowed by a tedious storyline.”
- atmosphere12 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its vibrant visuals, superb soundtrack, and charming character interactions, which enhance the overall experience. While many reviewers appreciate the whimsical and mythical art direction, some feel that certain aspects of the world can feel bland or unfinished. Overall, the combination of great design and engaging sound contributes to a memorable atmosphere, despite some inconsistencies in execution.
“Actually, it outdoes the previous games in some aspects - the visuals are great, the soundtrack is once again superb, the atmosphere is brilliant and the cheerful banter between the characters is absolutely spot on, with a few moments so unexpectedly funny I was just gaping at the screen before laughing.”
“That all being said, this game has an amazing art direction, soundtrack, sound design, and overall atmosphere as always.”
“I love the art style, really lends a mythical, whimsical type atmosphere to the game.”
“The battle music is perfect, but the exploration music doesn't quite fit the atmosphere.”
“While the game has an amazing art direction and sound design, the overall atmosphere feels lacking.”
“The art style lends a mythical, whimsical type of atmosphere to the game, but it doesn't fully immerse the player.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally well-received, with some players appreciating the absence of DLC and microtransactions in a single-player experience. However, others criticize the presence of microtransactions, claiming they can diminish enjoyment and make the game feel less rewarding. Overall, opinions are mixed, with some valuing the straightforward approach while others feel it leans towards exploitative practices.
“No complaints, everything is tight and well-tuned. There's no DLC or microtransactions; it's a single-player game that stands on its own, and that's something that doesn't happen often these days.”
“At least there are no microtransactions.”
“Microtransactions make the game easier.”
“The art style, developer, writing, advertising, and skill ramp all give the illusion that this is just trying to be fast food (low-cost, low-investment fun).”
- optimization4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is well-optimized for controller use, providing a smooth experience, but players have noted that it lacks optimization for PC. While a well-optimized deck is essential for success on harder difficulties, the game maintains stable performance even on older hardware.
“I can see that on hard difficulty, an optimized deck would be needed for consistent success.”
“This one, though, has a very pleasant soundtrack, nice art, non-aggravating controls, and really stable performance even on my old laptop.”
“I can see that on hard difficulty an optimized deck would be needed for consistent success.”
“The game is 100% optimized for controller and doesn't feel optimized for PC.”
“The game is 100% optimized for controller and doesn't feel optimized for PC.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, users report a stable experience with no bugs or crashes, highlighting smooth gameplay and good graphics even on low-end systems. The game is easy to learn and performs reliably across various setups.
“Runs great with good graphics and low system requirements. No bugs or crashes, making it simple to learn and enjoy.”
“The game is incredibly stable, providing a smooth experience without any interruptions.”
“I appreciate how well the game performs; it has no bugs or crashes, which enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
