Having a short length wouldn’t even be a bad thing if the game had more replay value. At the same time, gamers have different expectations these days so it would be nice to have more content. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as many old-school classic games such as Contra can be pretty short as well. Once you figure things out, however, you can go through the game pretty quickly. A good part of the game’s length will come from you dying over and over as you familiarize yourself with its stages, mid-bosses and bosses. One thing that would have been nice is if the game was longer. It’s the type of hectic, fast-paced action that harkens back to the 16-bit era that can feel frustrating but also equally rewarding once you get the hang of it. At the same time, you’ll need to attack the boss several times while hanging then jump up once the fire is out in order to avoid being bum-rushed. While fighting a giant robotic drill worm on a flying platform, for example, the boss will set its surface on fire at key points and you will need to jump off then double jump and attach your zipline to a latching point under the platform. The game is hard and definitely involves a lot of trial and error in order to learn enemy placements as well as patterns. You’ll need to use those moves in combination in order to survive because Steel Assault subscribes to the same philosophy as the old-school games it pays homage to when it comes to difficulty. Gameplay also can be described as retro hardcore, which old-school gaming veterans will quickly identify.įurther rounding out Taro’s move set is a slide that provides a split-second of invincibility as well as a double jump that gives added height as well as added maneuverability options. Steel Assault’s old-school bonafides, however, are not limited to its looks. I found the soundtrack to be pleasing overall and it works well with the visuals in evoking a presentation that’s reminiscent of the golden age of 16-bit gaming. It isn’t purely retro but still has a classic vibe to it thanks to generous use of keyboards and synthesizer effects plus old-school electric guitar riffs. Steel Assault’s music, on the other hand, is like a fusion of old-style soundtracks with a more modern twist. It would be good if there was a way to put more visual separation between deadly attacks and backgrounds while still keeping the rich details. It can be hard to discern projectiles and other hazards that you need to avoid in some, a literal killer in a game that requires pinpoint maneuvering to stay alive. The attention to detail is laudable but can also be a bit too busy at times. One stage, for example, features jungle foliage with rain effects plus a wildfire raging in the background. The game’s colorful palette is a treat to behold and it also packs a large amount of detail in its backgrounds. One of the latest games to join the ever-growing pantheon of modern 2D games is Steel Assault, an action platformer with some notable retro chops. In most cases, smaller or indie game developers have led the charge, leading to new cult classics such as Shovel Knight and Cuphead. This makes the resurgence of 2D action gameplay - and their adoption by a new generation - something that warms the cockles of my gamer heart. It’s the video game equivalent of comfort food. Even as 3D titles supplanted 2D games after the turn of the millennium, I continued to yearn for the classic, thumb-blistering gameplay that I grew up playing. That’s exactly what came to my mind as soon as Steel Assault loaded on my Nintendo Switch.Īs someone who cut his gamer teeth during the 8-bit and 16-it era of gaming, I’ve always had a soft spot for the pixel-perfect aesthetics and crazy challenge that games from that era served up. You know a game’s got serious retro vibes when you instinctively want to press up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, when you see it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |