Games such as Many Souls have graced the genre over the years and have attempted to rival 2009’s Demon Souls, which is considered by many to be the progenitors of the genre. From development studio Spyder, SteelRising is one of those games that comes out swinging in hopes of taking at least some of Automate down with it.
In an alternate history steelmaking takes place during the French Revolution where King Louis XVI brings powerful robots (automats above) to rule Hell in Paris. You play as Aegis, a beautiful puppet-style woman turned robot warrior, and takes on Louis XVI’s army of mechanized monsters. Although SteelRising makes its mark in some areas, it largely misses out in others. Given that the developers have little experience in making games like Soul, this is to be expected.
a twisted french revolution
The main aspect of SteelRising that sets it apart from other games in the genre is its unique 18th-century France setting. Walking the streets of Paris and fighting automats that are reminiscent of the clock machines of time gives a strange, but exciting experience. Each enemy, while similar in style, ranges from chain-ball-wielding Iron Maiden robots to automatons with weapons and cannons for noble aim. While I’m a veteran of games like Souls, I wasn’t prepared for some of the enemies I encountered. They gave me a run for my money but never felt so challenging that I couldn’t beat them with some well-rounded strikes and a little planning.
Screenshot by Gempur
Aegis is much more than a robot – it’s a fighting machine, and true to that genre, it should be outfitted with weapons and armor that matches your playing style. I started the game with Steele fans who were quick hits but felt awkward. After about 5 to 6 hours of gameplay, I upgraded my arsenal to a pistol that dealt frost damage, and a ball and chain that could explode in flames. While I chose to stick with primarily these weapons, there were more I found and tested that each felt unique and had amazing abilities that were worth looking into for a second play.
basic but not bad
I could easily describe Steelrising as a decent soul-like game with a few issues, but doing so is like describing each soul-like game from Lords of the Fallen to Thymesia. SteelRising has something in common with games like the rest of Souls, which is that it doesn’t do enough to set itself apart from the rest. The game has a unique style and setting, but there are no mechanics or story elements that set it apart from the next game on the list.
Screenshot by Gempur
The character creator only has a few options, which is frustrating when you get used to the long list of options or the built-in sliders that let you warp faces to your own specifications. Maps, while detailed, are very linear and don’t give you enough room to explore. For someone who likes to see every nook and cranny of an area, I figured I could easily run without looking back, except when I ran into a devastating wall. While the combat is exciting, nothing ever breaks free from the basic spirits formula with the slightest of victories. Every movement Aegis makes seems to lag or budge, and combat doesn’t feel as smooth when you’re trying to dodge or strike an opponent.
almost like spirits
Screenshot by Gempur
SteelRising is definitely a game that’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of Souls games or want a new action RPG. While I haven’t worked my way up the entire game, it’s one I plan to explore more of in the coming weeks. In its current state, Steelrising ranks above other Souls-like games on the list, but lower than Kings of the genre. Despite its shortcomings, SteelRising is a great start for developers who don’t have a ton of experience in a spirits-like genre.
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