Steel Assault

This is a "not quite not recommended" review, especially considered that the game is a debut. But unfortunately, even though it has its qualities, it also has a number of issues. So, Steam Summer Sale, perfect time to grab some smaller games in between ARPGs and other sh1t I'm playing. I love 2D retro action games, so I finally decided to check out Steel Assault, the first game by Zenovia Interactive, after enjoying the demo for their upcoming sophomore effort, Neon Inferno. And it seems like these fellas really stepped out their game, because man, Steel Assault is ROUGH. First and foremost, the game is INSANELY short. I cleared it in 40 minutes of actual gameplay. The default asking price is metaphorical robbery at gunpoint, and even the super-heavily discounted during the sales feels steep. A very short length isn't an issue, per se, but the game has loads of smaller problems which compound quickly. I was even temped to refund the game, but I never do that with those titles I actually complete, as that would be unfair and downright mean to developers who are clearly talented and just needed to find their footing a bit. On a positive note, the presentation (most inspired by Nazca/SNK and the Metal Slug Series, I feel) is largely phenomenal. The pixel art for the levels' splash screens is immaculate, and so are the versus screens for each boss. The levels themselves are full of colours and fairly detailed, with (mostly) slick animations. The music is banging, and sets the tone perfectly for the adventure ahead. But even here we can hear something creaking, as the game commits the cardinal sin of occasional poor visibility, with effects like rain making it difficult to gauge the situation in a split second. It's not constant, but it's there, and shouldn't be there. The game is kind of a Contra Hard Corps with a dash of Bionic Commando and even some Super Castlevania 4. It has a very similar (if more anime-y) vibe to the batsh1t crazy Genesis Contra game, but with much less ingenuity and variety. You have five very simple levels, each featuring some setpieces and otherwise classic run 'n gun progression, except you fight with a whip and have a grappling hook that feels very Bionic Commando, but it's mostly a glorified higher jump. Whipping is eight-directional, like in SCIV, and you also have a double jump and a slide with invincibility frames. On paper, everything is there, but the fundamentals of the gameplay aren't very refined. Movement doesn't feel precise, with the double jump and slide especially being incredibly lackluster in their range and general feel. The hook is responsive and speeds you up nicely, but it's often unclear where you can and can't use it because platforms can easily blend in the background so you can't tell which is which. The most egregious example is the second stage's boss, who has you avoid fire by jumping off a ship, awkwardly somersaulting back, but beneath the platform you were standing on, and using the grappling hook between two protrusions that look like any other decorative element. That had me RAGING. Aside from that, the game is just kind of mediocre and unmemorable. In general, most levels and bosses are "fine", but blander versions of situations you might have encountered in other 2D action games. They're undoubtedly references, but pale in comparison to the real thing (two example: the stage 3 boss being basically the same concept of Hard Corps' Noiman Cascade from the Junkyard, or stage 4's boat section mirroring the iconic minigun boat from Metal Slug's final mission). As a first effort, Steel Assault is pretty impressive all things considered, but not very fun to play. I will be however follow Neon Inferno with particular interest, as it looks like the devs are firing on all cylinders for that one.