Steel Seed Review

Steel Seed is a stealth action game that promises much but delivers little. With its poorly lit metal halls, flickering neon lights, and a cyborg ninja protagonist, the game has all the ingredients to captivate an audience. Unfortunately, it falls flat due to its uneven gameplay, frustrating combat, and a flimsy story that fails to leave a lasting impression.

The game's hero, Zoe, is an awkwardly presented character who feels out of place in the post-apocalyptic sci-fi world she inhabits. Her generic presentation and reliance on vapid self-reflection make her feel like a caricature rather than a well-developed protagonist. The story is also light on interesting happenings or compelling reasons to continue, relying heavily on clichés and predictable plot twists.

The gameplay itself is a mixed bag. The stealth action and platforming elements are enjoyable, but they are unevenly distributed throughout the 12-hour campaign. Some sections are tense and thrilling, while others feel stale and repetitive. The puzzle mechanics add a welcome layer of complexity to the game, but even these can become tedious at times.

The vast environments that Zoe explores are hit or miss visually. While some areas are filled with interesting details and creatures, others feel generic and uninspired. The levels themselves are often riddled with nooks and crannies to hide in and precariously placed obstacles to use as distractions, making stealth a challenging but rewarding aspect of the game.

However, the combat is a different story altogether. It's frustrating, buggy, and often feels like a chore to navigate. The skills that Zoe unlocks don't make combat much better, despite giving her some strong options for late-game encounters. The overall experience is marred by poor design choices and a lack of polish.

Steel Seed is cursed by mediocrity. Its combat is its biggest problem, but the game's other elements – from the bland characters to the forgettable locations – also suffer as a result. While there are some shiny moments to be found, they're not enough to save the game from its overall lackluster experience.