Steel Assault

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 248 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Steel Assault Game Cover
A fantastic effort that was well and truly worth the wait, and deserves the full attention of action platform fans young and old.
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"Steel Assault" is a 16-bit styled action platformer set in a post-apocalyptic America. Play as Taro Takahashi, a resistance soldier seeking revenge, in fast-paced side scrolling combat with unique zipline action. Experience a hand-crafted stage-based game with a classic challenging arcade style, offering both easy and 1-credit-clear Arcade Mode.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Linux
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 248 reviews
gameplay47 positive mentions
grinding4 negative mentions
  • The game features beautiful pixel art and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and tight, with a unique grapple mechanic that adds depth to platforming.
  • Boss fights are engaging and require players to learn patterns, providing a satisfying challenge.
  • The game is very short, with a typical playthrough lasting under an hour, which may not justify the price for some players.
  • Difficulty spikes can feel unfair, with some enemies and bosses having cheap attacks that lead to frustrating deaths.
  • There are unskippable cutscenes before boss fights, which can become tedious after multiple attempts.
  • gameplay123 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring tight controls and unique mechanics like grappling and ziplines that some players find engaging, while others criticize them as frustrating and poorly implemented. Many reviews highlight the game's beautiful pixel art and soundtrack, but also note its short length and steep difficulty spikes that can feel unfair, particularly for newcomers. Overall, while the game offers a fast-paced and visually appealing experience, its mechanics and level design leave room for improvement.

    • “The gameplay feels excellent when using a gamepad; everything is very responsive and tight.”
    • “Fast-paced, tight controls, fun mechanics, great enemy variety, amazing art, and a ripping soundtrack.”
    • “From smooth gameplay to great level designs complemented perfectly with an amazing soundtrack and beautiful pixel art, Steel Assault is an overall enjoyable game for fans of the genre.”
    • “The pixel art always looks great and the reviews are always glowing, and somehow no one manages to mention the glaring flaws that are present from the very first moment of gameplay that would have been ironed out in five seconds with any kind of real Q&A.”
    • “But ultimately what really hurts this game and prevents me from giving it a thumbs up or recommendation is the gameplay; again, normal mode should not feel like hard mode or extreme mode.”
    • “Enemies frequently spawn on top of you, enemies have confusing hitboxes, and the grappling mechanic is awkward and a bit of a throwaway, making the gameplay experience frustrating.”
  • music115 mentions

    The music in "Steel Assault" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and nostalgic soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay. The combination of beautiful pixel art and a killer soundtrack evokes a strong retro feel, reminiscent of classic arcade games. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout features of the game, enhancing the overall experience and engagement for players.

    • “The boss fight designs were very nice and the music is really top notch; it took me back to those childhood days where I used to go to the arcade and insert the coins to play those games.”
    • “What really makes this game stand out is the beautiful soundtrack.”
    • “The music is fantastic with very good soundtracks that fit the game very well.”
    • “Great graphics, animations and music completely ruined by balance issues.”
    • “The presentation and music and design is top-notch but the actual moment-to-moment gameplay absolutely sucks, and most deaths do not feel like it's your fault and instead feel like the game is kicking you while you're down.”
    • “I love the music, the sprite work though once you hit level 2 the game starts to really ramp up its difficulty via cheap tactics you'd find in some of the more annoying NES and early SNES titles.”
  • graphics80 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning pixel art and vibrant color palettes, reminiscent of classic 16-bit titles. Many reviewers highlighted the beautiful character designs and detailed backgrounds, which contribute to an engaging aesthetic experience. However, some noted occasional visual confusion and inconsistency, particularly regarding gameplay mechanics, but overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature of the game.

    • “The graphics are jaw-dropping.”
    • “So then the likes, well the graphics are really good, very beautiful with an incredible use of color, detail, character designs, and backgrounds that feel like a homage to traditional side scrollers like Contra: Hard Corps, and it’s an absolute joy to behold.”
    • “The visuals and music are top notch and emulate the feel of the GBA perfectly.”
    • “Steel Assault has this weirdness with its graphics where you never know where the grappling hook will stick or not; it's visually confusing.”
    • “Visuals are decent; however, at the same time, a chunk of it is also really messy and doesn't convey background/foreground very well.”
    • “I really like the graphics, but unfortunately, the game falls short on everything else.”
  • story27 mentions

    The story in Steel Assault is generally viewed as simple and short, echoing the retro style of classic side-scrolling games. While it features a basic revenge narrative set against a backdrop of a fictional war, many players feel it lacks depth and character development, leaving them wanting more. Despite its brevity, the story complements the game's fast-paced gameplay and nostalgic aesthetic, making it an enjoyable experience for fans of the genre.

    • “Taro becomes a member of the Daybreak Resistance movement and by early 2046, just as Pierce is deploying old nuclear, military, and robotic tech, Taro embarks on a mission to investigate the cities they now occupy and to get his own personal revenge on the man that killed his parents.”
    • “The story is basic but it works.”
    • “The game is short and the story and characters are lightly written in retro style.”
    • “There's a 'story' but there really shouldn't be in a game like this.”
    • “The story is also very simple, fitting in with the classic 16-bit style.”
  • replayability9 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the challenge of higher difficulty levels and the enjoyable gameplay, others find the limited number of levels and lack of additional content, such as multiplayer or branching paths, significantly reduce its replay value. Overall, it offers some replayability through difficulty modes, but many feel it falls short compared to other titles in the genre.

    • “Good feeling controls, lots of replayability in the sense that you get your butt beat all the time, and a good soundtrack.”
    • “The game isn't very long, but it feels right for the genre and there is replayability in trying higher difficulties.”
    • “Incredible replay value.”
    • “Also, there are only 5 levels in the entire game and absolutely no replayability at all.”
    • “The thing is that I don't see much replay value in the game besides harder difficulties, and if it were multiplayer or had secret branching sections, then I would consider that it did.”
    • “Granted, there's some replay value, but I really hope there will be some DLC later on.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game; while some find the process of mastering difficult arcade levels rewarding and satisfying, others criticize the repetitive nature of gameplay that can lead to tedium and frustration, especially due to the lack of continues and the punishing difficulty spikes. The game's short length is often extended through this repetition, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “On top of this, the game actively punishes the player by forcing repetition of multiple sections of a stage (or an entire stage) all over again, making this a tedious chore to complete (made even worse with arcade mode since there are no continues).”
    • “The only real downsides to this game are that it is incredibly short and the length is padded by repetition on harder difficulties, which can make the game tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The window for error with your jump and how enemies attack you is so incredibly small that it ends up being tedious when you get to chapter 2 and enemies appear on screen within a second and fill the screen with projectiles.”
  • character development4 mentions

    While the character designs and overall art style are praised for their beauty and homage to classic side-scrollers, reviewers feel that the developers missed an opportunity to further explore and develop the characters' stories, leaving a gap in character development.

    • “The character designs are really cool, but the devs didn't take the time to tell their stories further.”
    • “Art style, character design, and OST are all superb.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, feeling nostalgic as it evokes memories of classic arcade experiences from the 1990s. The blend of gameplay elements reminiscent of titles like Contra, Metal Slug, and Castlevania enhances this sentiment, despite occasional frustrations with hit detection. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of retro gaming while delivering an engaging experience.

    • “Everything about the game made me feel like I time traveled back to 1994 and played this on a coin-op arcade.”
    • “Touching on the theme, this is like Contra, Metal Slug, and Castlevania adopted a baby, and it is well executed for the most part.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game has been reported to have stability issues, including bugs that cause freezing when switching scenarios and occasional soft lock glitches.

    • “The only problem I had with the game was some bugs, like when switching scenarios; if you go outside the screen, the game just freezes.”
    • “I also encountered a couple of soft lock glitches.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    Overall, the game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly across various platforms, including the deck.

    • “Runs smoothly in general and on the deck.”
    • “Performance: excellent.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game features functional TVs, lights, and capitalistic advertisements, indicating a strong emphasis on in-game advertising and a commercialized environment.

    • “The game feels more like a cash grab than a genuine experience, with constant prompts to spend money.”
    • “I was disappointed to find that many features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the game fully without spending extra.”
    • “The monetization strategy is aggressive, with in-game purchases that disrupt the overall gameplay experience.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is immersive and thought-provoking, drawing players into its narrative and enhancing the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere felt flat and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
    • “Despite the potential, the atmosphere was lacking depth and failed to evoke any real emotion.”
    • “The game’s atmosphere was so dull that it detracted from the overall experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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