A steam city, hand crafted 2D art, and a community profile that pulls no punches.

On the gut choice, with no criterion, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is ahead of only 18% of games. That is low. The detail confirms it almost everywhere. Fun sits ahead of 3% of titles, the wish to rediscover it ahead of 4%, the soundtrack ahead of 5%, attachment ahead of 6%. Feel with a controller in hand only climbs to 20%, on the eight duels that make up its best sampled line. Two lines save some honour, barely: the desert island question and the art style come back near the middle, but on three duels only, so treat that as unconfirmed. There is no tension here, there is consistency. The game wins you on the image and loses the moment you talk emotion, fun or handling.

The genre is merciless. A 2D action platformer is judged on feel down to the frame, and in duels it runs into the titles that set the standard. A careful tribute to 16 bit classics is not enough anymore.

So, who is it for? For you if you love hand drawn steampunk, twist heavy storytelling and retro inspired 2D, with the patience that comes with it. Much less so if you want combat that snaps and a session you cannot put down.