As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I approached Gestalt: Steam & Cinder with a sense of anticipation and excitement. With its Metroidvania-style exploration, skill trees, and boss fights, it seemed to tick all the right boxes for me.
Title “Steam & Cinder” by Metamorphosis Games: The debut project that leaves an impressive mark. With a compelling narrative and meticulously crafted 2D art and animation, the game gives off an experienced team’s vibe. Occasionally, minor issues like uneven combat balance surface. Nevertheless, the game exudes a sense of ambition and skill that enables it to surpass expectations. Despite some uncertainties regarding the storyline towards the end, “Gestalt” effectively grasps its concept and explores intriguing ideas, sometimes hitting the mark and other times coming close.
Reading is good for you, kids
Metroidvanias typically evoke strong emotions and intricate storytelling, but Gestalt stands out with its more extensive dialogue. Drawing inspiration from games like Symphony of the Night, the developers didn’t shy away from interrupting exploration with lengthy conversations. The narrative is filled with dramatic irony as players are forced to wait while events unfold between characters in different locations. This unconventional approach for the Metroidvania genre feels akin to visual novels, and despite the extended playtime required, Gestalt generally justifies it well.
In this rendition, you assume the role of Aletheia, a tenacious “Soldier” inhabiting a realm on the brink of cataclysmic upheaval. Though essentially a mercenary, she is incessantly solicited with employment opportunities by her military acquaintances. Aletheia exudes an air of badassery, blending elements of Carmen Sandiego’s elusiveness and Indiana Jones’ adventurous spirit. Her distinctness sets her apart, engendering a substantial market for her formidable abilities. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes apparent that Aletheia’s uniqueness extends beyond what anyone could have foreseen, positioning her as a pivotal figure in a clash between two contrasting cultures, a conflict that appears to carry existential implications.
As a gamer, I can tell you that Gestalt offers an engaging backstory without overwhelming you with excessive details or turning it into a novel. The major political conflicts are shrouded in mystery, adding intrigue as two influential figures argue over ominous prophecies. This game takes its time to develop the central characters and their complex relationships, which become even more entangled as tensions rise. With approximately ten hours of gameplay, Gestalt manages to provide a clear understanding of each character’s motivations and reasons for their actions, making it easier for players to connect with them.
The content is robust and the writing is solid, with a unique style that sets it apart from the ordinary. The narrative avoids being cheesy or predictable, which is not uncommon in initial works. However, I was left feeling unsatisfied with the story’s conclusion. Was this due to a hidden meaning or an intended cliffhanger that failed to deliver? Regardless, the ending didn’t leave me with a sense of accomplishment from a story I had grown fond of, nor did it leave me intrigued by what could potentially follow.
There’s a map too, right?
The game Aletheia presents itself as a typical Metroidvania with its collectible maps, warp and save points, boss fights, and character progression through a skill tree. However, despite these features, I’m not completely convinced that the storytelling in this game fully embodies the spirit of a Metroidvania. While it exhibits the characteristics, it seems more like a duck in appearance rather than in essence. The linear progression and perfunctory nature of the gameplay elements cast some doubt on its authenticity as a full-fledged Metroidvania experience.
During my gaming experience, I seldom felt lost or uncertain about my direction, as each previous location led me towards a clear objective. New abilities usually guided me intuitively without raising questions about their usage. The game’s organic progression kept me focused on the main path, minimizing the need for explorative “search actions,” except when the map became part of a puzzle solution. It was an enlightening moment when I approached the game’s conclusion, realizing that I had overlooked using several warp points despite activating them earlier. While there were unfinished side objectives and long-term collectible tasks, the game’s design is compact and aimed at maintaining forward momentum.
As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I’ve played countless Metroidvania games where exploration and pixel hunting are key elements that add depth and richness to the gameplay experience. However, playing Gestalt was a refreshing change of pace for me.
Devil may frown in displeasure
Initially, Gestalt’s combat appears engaging with an abundance of customizable skills, combos, and quirky elements. At times, it hints at a Soulslike experience, complete with a well-timed dodge roll constrained by stamina. However, this mechanic becomes frustrating during certain enemy engagements, where foes relentlessly attack using only one move. These encounters force you to carefully time your strikes and rolls, making progress tedious rather than rewarding. Consequently, the specific roll limitations and recharge timing in these situations prove irritating, disrupting the flow of gameplay and causing unnecessary annoyance. (Note: This paraphrased version aims to preserve the original meaning while improving readability and naturalness.)
Over time, as your character becomes stronger and gains access to additional health, damage, and basic attack sequences, the complexity of the game seems to simplify. In the latter stages of the game, even the supposedly challenging bosses become manageable with sheer strength. Aletheia, who should be formidable with her spinning sword, instead appears more like a nuisance as she tosses health potions at you like bottles of bourbon. This is where inexperience becomes apparent, as different aspects of the combat system appear to clash. When it’s more effective to rely on brute force than to abide by the rules, there are rough edges that require smoothing out.
Personally, I had an engaging experience playing Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Though the story’s resolution left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied, the journey was filled with superb mechanical writing, character growth, and intriguing world-building that relied heavily on proper nouns. The visuals were nothing short of impressive, boasting exquisite 2D art with meticulous attention to detail and fluid animations that rivaled classic games. Combat had its rough patches, but exploring the world, encountering bizarre enemies, and employing skills and combos through dynamic animations kept me entertained. I eagerly anticipate future projects from Metamorphosis Games, particularly if they delve deeper into this captivating universe.
The game “Gestalt: Steam & Cinder” will be released for PC on July 16, 2024. A version for Nintendo Switch is scheduled to come out at a later time. I have received a code from the publisher for previewing the game.
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2024-07-15 16:28