Steelrising

The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frame rate drops, stuttering, and high resource consumption even on high-end hardware. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance with lower settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized and requires significant improvements to be enjoyable for a broader audience. Many recommend waiting for patches or purchasing the game on sale due to these ongoing issues.

The gameplay of "Steelrising" is generally described as solid and enjoyable, featuring a variety of imaginative weapons and mechanics, including a unique stamina cooling system that encourages aggressive play. However, many players note that the game lacks innovation compared to other souls-like titles, with some finding the combat mechanics a bit clunky and the overall difficulty lower than expected. While the game offers a visually appealing setting and engaging combat, it suffers from issues like repetitive enemy design and performance problems, leading to mixed reviews on its overall execution.

The graphics of Steelrising receive mixed reviews, with many praising the game's stunning art style and detailed environments, particularly its steampunk aesthetic. However, numerous players report significant performance issues, including inconsistent frame rates and high system requirements that do not seem justified by the graphical fidelity. Overall, while the visuals are appreciated, the optimization problems detract from the experience, leading to frustration for many users.

The music in Steelrising has received widespread acclaim for its beauty and originality, enhancing the game's atmosphere and storytelling. Many reviewers highlighted the soundtrack's ability to evoke emotions, with specific praise for its ambient compositions and dynamic battle themes. While some found the music occasionally forgettable, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the immersive experience of the game.

The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating design, featuring stunning visuals, detailed environments, and a compelling soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Many reviewers highlight the unique setting, particularly its portrayal of revolutionary France, and commend the effective use of lighting and environmental storytelling. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay balance and technical issues, the atmospheric elements remain a standout feature that draws players into the game's world.

The game is widely reported to be plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with item pickups, enemy AI, and performance drops, leading to a frustrating experience for many players. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain hardware configurations, the overall consensus is that stability remains a significant concern, with many players experiencing crashes and graphical issues. Despite these problems, some found enjoyment in the gameplay, though the technical shortcomings detracted from the overall experience.

Reviews indicate a mixed experience with grinding in the game. While some players appreciate the lack of excessive grinding compared to other RPGs and souls-likes, others find the farming for resources and upgrades tedious and unengaging, leading to a sense of monotony in combat and exploration. Overall, the game is seen as generally respectful of player time, but certain aspects can feel grindy and detract from the enjoyment.

Character development in the game is generally viewed as limited, with secondary characters lacking depth and feeling more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. While the protagonist, Aegis, showcases some surprising development, overall character arcs are considered uninspired, overshadowed by the game's striking aesthetics and character design. Despite the beautiful visuals and engaging atmosphere, many reviewers feel that the character development does not support the game's narrative or gameplay effectively.

Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the variety in character classes, weapon options, and new content in NG+, others find limited motivation for multiple playthroughs due to gameplay balancing issues and a lack of compelling reasons to revisit. The updates have improved playability, but many still feel that the game lacks significant replay value beyond the initial experience and trophy completion.

The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players found the story touching and impactful, culminating in a tear-jerking ending, others felt that technical issues and poor character animations undermined the emotional weight of key moments. Despite the strong voice acting, the disconnect between dialogue and character expressions detracted from the overall experience for many. Overall, the game evokes a range of emotions, from excitement to disappointment, depending on individual experiences with its narrative and execution.

The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding the combat amusing initially, but ultimately frustrating due to performance issues. Cut scenes are noted for their unintended humor, particularly due to the lifeless expressions of characters, which adds a comedic element to the experience. Overall, while there are moments of humor, they are overshadowed by gameplay frustrations.

The monetization strategy features a unique mechanic where players can recover their full stamina bar by successfully timing a button press, which is tied to watching ads. This approach encourages engagement with advertisements while providing a gameplay benefit.