Steel Storm: Burning Retribution
- May 11, 2011
- Kot in Action Creative Artel
Get on SteamSteel Storm: Burning Retribution is a top down action shooter with old school spirit. It marks the return of top-down shooters with new twists. The game has score oriented competitive gameplay, and is designed for people who like fast paced action, hordes of smart enemies, destructible worlds and ground shaking explosions. The events take place in an alternative universe where you control an advan…
Reviews
- Fast, dynamic, and fun gameplay reminiscent of classic twin-stick shooters.
- Offers a nostalgic old-school feel with engaging mechanics and weapon unlocks.
- Great for casual play, allowing players to pick it up and enjoy short sessions.
- Enemies often spawn right behind the player, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
- The game suffers from average graphics and a lack of visual polish, which may deter some players.
- Objectives can be unclear, causing players to waste time searching for unmarked points.
- gameplay10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a mix of simple mechanics and nostalgic elements, appealing to fans of old-school shooters, but it suffers from significant issues such as a poorly designed camera that can induce nausea and frame rate problems that disrupt the experience. While some players find it enjoyable and reasonably priced, others criticize the lack of content and the need for console commands to fix performance issues. Overall, the gameplay is described as fun yet flawed, with a steep learning curve for some.
“This gameplay doesn't have a steep learning curve; the controls are basically WASD + mouse. The camera rotates with your hovertank, which might be confusing, but you can turn that off.”
“The gameplay's simple, but fun.”
“The gameplay is fun, and the difficulty ramps up nicely.”
“The camera is so poorly designed that it is the only game I have ever played that made me feel sick; my friend and I couldn't even last 20 minutes of gameplay time without feeling nauseous.”
“However, the gameplay is ruined by the poor frame rate.”
“This gameplay doesn't have a steep learning curve; the controls are basically WASD + mouse, and the camera rotates with your hovertank, which might be confusing, but you can turn that off.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered weak and simplistic, with many players finding it unengaging and lacking depth. While there is a narrative present, it takes a backseat to the gameplay, which is more focused on mission creation and combat mechanics. Despite the lackluster story, some players feel the overall experience is worth the low price.
“This approach also opens the door towards having multiple missions taking place on the same map to fully utilize its potential.”
“Sandstorm is a wonderful idea: it allows you to place enemies, objects, triggers, etc. in a separate file and test your mission instantly without waiting for a lengthy lightmap compilation.”
“There is a story, but it's a shooter, so don't expect to be gripped.”
“There is a story, but it's a shooter so don't expect to be gripped.”
“Boring... kinda storyless... simple though... it was cheap though... you have to really love top down I guess...”
“The storyline is rather lame and transparent but the game itself is well worth the $1.24 I paid for it on sale.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players noting average visuals and a lack of visual appeal, while others appreciate the good aesthetics and smooth controls, especially considering the game's age. Overall, the graphics are described as decent, with some positive remarks about weapon upgrades and sound design.
“Great aesthetics, fun for such an old game.”
“The visuals are nice and the controls are smooth.”
“Graphics are good, weapon upgrades are cool, and gameplay is straightforward and easy to learn.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally considered less engaging, though it complements the visual and sound effects well. While it may not appeal to everyone, players have the option to turn it off and use their own music if their hardware allows.
“The visual effects and sound effects suit the game perfectly, as does the music for the most part.”
“As with anything, however, music is down to personal taste, and you can always turn it off and play your own if your hardware can handle it.”
“The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“While some tracks are decent, many of them just don't fit the game's atmosphere.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Users report mixed experiences with optimization; while some can run the game smoothly at 1440p/60fps on ultra settings, others note that it struggles with higher graphical demands, suggesting limitations in its optimization for advanced rendering technologies.
“I can run this on 1440p/60fps ultra with no stuttering whatsoever!”
“The optimization is impressive; I experience smooth gameplay even in the most demanding scenarios.”
“The game runs flawlessly on my setup, showcasing excellent optimization for various hardware configurations.”
“Apparently this is because the game is not optimized; it can't handle anything above OpenGL 2.”
“The performance issues are frustrating, as the game feels unpolished and poorly optimized.”
“I experience frequent frame drops and stuttering, which makes the game nearly unplayable.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted as amusing, though some players find it ironic or hypocritical, especially given the game's stability issues.
“That's funny.”
“Pretty funny coming from a couple of code monkeys who can't make a stable game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's poorly designed camera has led to a significant negative emotional response, with players reporting feelings of sickness and nausea, ultimately making it difficult to enjoy the experience for even short periods.
