Steelrising is a single-player action RPG set in an alternate-history version of the French Revolution. Players control Aegis, a mechanical bodyguard built to protect the queen, as she battles through a Paris overrun by King Louis XVI and his legions of automatons. The game blends challenging third-person combat with exploration across a vertically layered city and light role-playing progression that lets players shape their approach to fights and traversal.
Gameplay
Combat forms the core loop. Encounters require precise timing with dodges, parries, jumps, and attack chains against both standard automaton soldiers and larger mechanical bosses. Stamina governs actions, and death causes the loss of Anima Essence, the game's primary resource, which can be recovered once before it disappears. Checkpoints called Vestals serve as rest points where players spend essence to level up or repair.
Progression centers on six stats: Power, Agility, Durability, Vigour, Engineering, and Elemental Alchemy. These feed into four distinct playstyles that emphasize different weapons and abilities. A ruthless warrior focuses on heavy melee, a bodyguard prioritizes defense and counters, a deadly dancer uses agility and mobility, and an elemental virtuoso incorporates status effects and ranged options. Over twenty weapons appear throughout the campaign, many with unique special moves such as projectile attacks or temporary shields.
Exploration rewards patience. The grappling hook and dash ability open vertical routes and hidden paths across multiple layers of Paris. Secret passages, carriages, and a detailed map encourage repeated visits to areas. Metroidvania-style shortcuts and upgrades gradually expand access to previously unreachable sections.
Game Modes
Steelrising offers a single continuous campaign. There are no separate multiplayer modes or competitive formats. The experience revolves around the main story path through revolutionary Paris, with side content and optional areas that deepen the alternate-history narrative involving figures such as Marie-Antoinette, Lafayette, and Robespierre.
Players advance by clearing districts, defeating bosses, and making choices that influence alliances and outcomes. The structure remains linear in its objectives while allowing nonlinear exploration once new movement tools become available.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds in a clockpunk Paris where the Revolution has been crushed by the king's automaton army. Aegis must navigate political intrigue and mechanical threats to restore the revolutionary cause. Allies and enemies present shifting motives, and the story integrates real historical names into its fictional conflict without requiring prior knowledge of the era.
Environmental storytelling highlights the city's decay through ruined landmarks and automaton patrols. The setting stands out for its blend of historical detail and mechanical horror, giving each district a distinct atmosphere.
Is It Worth Playing?
Steelrising suits players who enjoy souls-like combat and deliberate exploration in a distinctive setting. The alternate-history premise and automaton designs provide consistent visual interest, while the weapon variety and stat-driven playstyles support multiple runs with different approaches.
Technical performance and occasional clunkiness in movement have drawn criticism from some players, though patches addressed several launch issues. The 2022 release includes one story expansion, Cagliostro's Secrets, which adds a new area, enemies, and bosses accessible after substantial campaign progress.
Those seeking a focused single-player action RPG with strong atmosphere and methodical fights will find the most value. Players who prefer fluid or fast-paced action may find the pacing and responsiveness less satisfying. Current player numbers remain low years after launch, indicating a niche but dedicated audience.
