I found Steel Seed incredibly enjoyable, pleasantly surprising after a string of dissatisfying stealth mechanics and weak AI in games like Star Wars Outlaws (at first) and Avowed. Given that it’s developed by the team behind the Hitman series, this action stealth platformer has been a refreshing change. The game seems to have a larger budget than suggested, boasting smooth controls and visually striking environments that drew me in with their intricate details. I hadn’t anticipated much from it, but was quickly captivated by its post-apocalyptic setting and the sheer fun an industrial environment offers in its level design. Equipped with a neon sword and accompanied by a loyal turret droid, Zoe navigates a robot-filled facility to awaken her father’s consciousness and aid in humanity’s revival. Let’s delve into what makes this plotline so appealing, shall we?
After playing numerous indie games with mediocre stealth elements, I was taken aback by how gratifying the stealth in this game feels. The debut title from Storm in a Teacup Studios, Steel Seed, surprisingly showcases well-crafted stealth mechanisms that seem to have inherited qualities from games like Hitman. Even the common enemies follow consistent patrol paths, allowing for a stress-free experience when approaching and executing stealth takedowns.
As a gamer, I find myself relishing the tactic of luring enemies with a sonic pulse while crouched behind cover, then ambushing them as they advance. The game is filled with various obstacles for me to hide behind during each skirmish. Plus, there are even areas of holographic grass that conceal me completely when I’m crouching low. Later on, you’ll acquire an ability that scatters these patches of holo-grass remotely, proving incredibly handy in congested zones. What makes this game stand out is its seamless blend of realism and gaming elements – a testament to the exceptional level design we’ll delve into shortly.
“Patches of holographic grass cloaks your visibility when you’re crouched.”
As a gamer, I’ve found that stealth can turn into a frustrating experience when the enemy AI isn’t up to par. In Steel Seed, this certainly isn’t an issue. If you try to rush things, enemies will quickly spot you and sound the alarm, making it clear that I’m not just some random object in their vicinity. Hiding in tall grass or taking cover doesn’t always work here; enemies won’t forget about me so easily. Instead, they relentlessly pursue me until I either vacate the area entirely or find a well-concealed hideout like a tower that offers a bird’s eye view and keeps them at bay. This intelligent enemy AI forces me to be strategic, always assessing my environment for suitable hiding spots and escape routes in case things go south.
It’s fortunate that you can quickly understand the environmental layout in any given situation. Enemies exhibit different levels of awareness, represented by a red exclamation mark when they are actively pursuing and a yellow question mark when they are merely curious. To evade enemy patrols, you can use Koby’s flight mode to tag them individually. Later on, you’ll gain the ability to mark each enemy’s specific patrol path with a patrol path marker.
To sum it up, Koby, your trusty companion, can scan surroundings for places to climb and hide, making you feel like a modern-day Batman with all the information at hand. It’s quite enjoyable using Koby as a shoulder-mounted turret in games with similar mechanics. You know the thrill of having your own remote-controlled attack drone, and Koby provides just that. Throughout the game, Koby acquires several skills, but converting enemies to my side through the hacking skill is particularly enjoyable and never loses its charm.
“Each skill has a prerequisite challenge checklist in order to unlock.”
In the game Steel Seed, each skill comes with a specific task list that must be completed before it can be accessed. For instance, to acquire the Skull Piercer skill, you need to successfully hit 10 enemies’ weak spots. This method of unlocking skills serves as an incentive for strategic play and exploration of different game mechanics. Additionally, there are numerous stealth tools available in the skill tree that I won’t reveal here. However, don’t feel limited to just perception and stealth in Steel Seed; if you prefer, you can opt for close-quarters combat, although it may not be as enjoyable as the other options.
In Steel Seed, the combat isn’t as captivating or thrilling as stealth. You’re provided with a solitary neon-illuminated laser sword and your companion drone Koby for cover fire from turrets. There are no defensive moves like blocking or parrying in the game. Additionally, you can’t customize or enhance your weapon.
In this game, emphasis is placed on evasion and sheer power. A well-timed dodge is particularly vital since Zoe takes significant damage from each strike. On the standard difficulty level, just two to three regular attacks can knock you out. With no blocking options available, dodging is your sole means of avoiding being overwhelmed. Mastering a perfect dodge grants you an opportunity for a powerful counterattack and some energy rejuvenation if you’ve invested in that skill.
“There’s no blocking or parrying in Steel Seed.”
My primary issue with fighting isn’t related to controls or other aspects, but rather the restricted variety of melee moves. You only have a light attack and a strong attack, each having one combo, and unfortunately, you can’t seamlessly combine them. There aren’t any light attack dashes or aerial slam attacks either, which significantly reduces the available melee options.
The lock-on function operates smoothly, and the overall movement feels responsive. While the combat isn’t abysmal, it could use some enhancement during close encounters, as it seems lacking compared to what one might expect, given that hits are very harsh with limited defensive equipment for protection. However, this can be overlooked due to the game’s engaging and diverse stealth mechanics. Yet, when caught in tight combat situations, it becomes noticeable that there aren’t many options other than well-timed dodges.
Regrettably, the enemies you face aren’t particularly intriguing compared to your combat options. The game seems to be lacking in terms of enemy diversity. In the first five hours, there’s almost nothing but standard patrol robots and it doesn’t get much more varied from there. There are fewer boss fights in the game than expected, which I can tolerate given the game’s emphasis on stealth rather than direct combat. However, it seems that the scarcity of enemy types might be due to the advanced AI each type possesses. The developers appear to have prioritized quality over quantity when designing enemies, which is understandable to some degree.
Since the fundamental controls are well-tightened, it means you’ll be able to navigate platforms effectively for a significant part of the gameplay.
Regardless of differences in style, Steel Seed is simply delightful to manage. The movement is swift and Zoe’s turning radius is incredibly precise. She boasts a double jump that effortlessly propels her over the landscape with ease. I must admit, I would have appreciated an air dodge, but the slide-to-crouch and general dodge roll work admirably in most instances. I can hardly fault the camera control, which was previously unstable, but has since been significantly improved with its own sensitivity settings. It’s fortunate that the fundamental controls are as responsive as they are because you’ll be navigating a substantial part of the game through platforming.
3D platform games rank high on my list of favorites, and I must admit that I was pleasantly taken aback by how effectively Steel Seed catered to this preference. I had anticipated a stealth game with a slower pace, but it also offers ample content for enthusiasts of parkour-style movement. The subterranean robot facility you’ll be exploring is a playground for platformers. It’s jam-packed with balance beams, precarious platforms, potentially lethal gaps, wall-run panels, and towering structures adorned with everyone’s favorite yellow dots on climbable ledges.
Each location offers distinct sights and hurdles, ensuring a continually engaging adventure until the very finish.
As a fan, I can’t help but admire the environmental storytelling woven into these platforming sections within Steel Seed. Each step in the robot manufacturing process is meticulously detailed, with refineries radiating intense red heat and labyrinthine caves concealing hidden mysteries. The seamless transition between environments gives a sense of organic progression, making the vast robotic facility feel even more immersive to traverse.
What truly impresses me is the diversity in the environments. I never felt a hint of repetition fatigue (except perhaps with enemy types); every area offers unique visuals and puzzles, ensuring a captivating experience right up until the end. The 3D platforming aspect of the game left an indelible mark on me, ranking alongside stealth as one of Steel Seed’s most impressive features. This brings me to my appreciation for the game’s overall structure and flow – it’s a journey I’ve thoroughly enjoyed!
In essence, Steel Seed doesn’t follow a typical linear structure nor does it offer an open-world design. The comparison might sound unappealing, but it’s the most fitting I can think of. The levels in Steel Seed are organized similarly to games with Soulslike mechanics, such as Demon’s Souls. Fast-travel points divide each large zone (or Nodes, as the game calls them) into distinct stages.
Although this game doesn’t feature much of the recurring loop design typical of Soulslikes, it offers numerous hidden secrets in less-traveled areas with some branching paths sprinkled throughout. The fast-travel points, known as S4VI or Savi, not only allow quick movement but also restore health by reactivating the area’s enemies. These are also where you can acquire new skills and save your progress. The game automatically saves as you play, but your only manual save option is at these S4VI stations. Additionally, fast travel points display the completion percentage for each level, enticing completionists to explore every hidden corner. I found the gameplay loop of navigating through platforming and stealth sequences from one S4VI station to another to be engaging and enjoyable.
Fast travel points show the progress percentage on each level, encouraging completionists to explore every hidden corner thoroughly.
Additionally, you’ll find a central location where you can revisit after collecting each game’s crucial story fragments. Notably, this central area hosts a mini-game involving a piano. If you’ve played ‘Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’, the layout and functionality of this piano minigame will be very familiar to you as it’s nearly identical. However, unlike traditional piano playing, there are no sheet music notes to follow. Instead, you can create simple melodies using scales and chords, and even adjust the pitch range. At present, only basic major and minor harmonies have notation displayed, and strangely, the F note is always sharp. Regardless, it’s an engaging mini-game with a musical twist.
After you’ve finished playing around with the keyboard (or ivories), you’ll find that the central area serves as the main location for most of the game’s storyline and progression. Your primary goal in the game is to collect four fragments, which will help bring your father back from a catastrophic event and save humanity. Although the central area offers a lot of the main plot development, there are additional details to discover through exploration. Scattered throughout the levels are data logs that provide more information about the huge facility’s past.
In a world after a massive catastrophe, progression of the storyline is minimal as you gather the four essential items to save mankind. The straightforward narrative serves its purpose, offering rich details about Zoe’s scientist father and his work at the facility. Despite being set in a post-disaster landscape, the game isn’t devoid of companionship or interaction. Zoe and her robotic sidekick engage in charming dialogues and interactions that kept me engaged without becoming annoying or grating.
The voice acting is consistently excellent and never seems excessive or misplaced. However, the mandatory walking segments during expositions and character interactions can bring things to a grinding halt. The problem is, there’s no option to skip these walks. I prefer conventional skippable cutscenes over these unskippable slow strolls, especially since some of them are strategically placed before difficult battles or parkour sections where reloads may happen due to errors or mistakes.
Walking scenes that are required during the introduction and character responses make everything feel very sluggish.
As a gamer, let me tell you, Steel Seed left me utterly amazed! This stealth action platformer from an up-and-coming indie studio is nothing short of impressive. The immersive atmosphere and inventively designed levels took my breath away at times, and the smooth controls and engaging stealth mechanics made each moment a joy to play. While more melee options would’ve added some variety, it’s still an enjoyable experience overall. If you’re hankering for a good stealth action fix or, like me, can’t get enough of 3D platforming collectathons, Steel Seed is definitely worth checking out!
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
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2025-04-23 15:12