Gestalt: Steam and Cinder [Review]
Gestalt is an enchanting pixel art steampunk world.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Credit: Metamorphosis Games / Fireshine Games
Metamorphosis Games’ Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is 2D platformer with a ton of detail and an engrossing story. The game is a metroidvania action RPG fashioned after 16 and 32 bit classics—definitely a sweet spot for me. While my beginning with it was a little rocky, I quickly grew to love the game.
You play as Aletheia, a fierce, red headed Soldner—a mercenary—for the city of Canaan, a steam-powered oasis in a nearly uninhabitable world. Amid a long war between Canaan and an exiled people, Aletheia discovers that the truth is more complex than the city elders make it out to be as she’s forced to contend with what destiny holds in store for her.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Credit: Metamorphosis Games / Fireshine Games
I get impatient with many games’ lore, often made to be far more complex than it needs to be and far too reliant on devices external to the main narrative to communicate. Aside from a brief opening setting up some historic background, most of the game’s lore is dropped in organically over dialogue and cutscenes organically, with restraint. Rather than making my eyes glaze over, I became eager to learn more about Gestalt’s world. I applaud the game finding ways to not rely on dense optional texts and the like. Letting some things remain mysterious is smart. Aletheia is uncovering truths about her world, and so is the player.
The game’s platforming feels smooth and responsive, as does its combat. You begin the game being able to walljump and slide on the ground. Later, you’ll get a double jump and air dash. Aletheia mostly strikes with a sword and has limited number of gunshots that she must use strategically; the energy that powers the gun is also used for heavy sword strikes. Energy recharges when you hit enemies with your sword. As you gain levels, you earn ability points to improve your stats and unlock new strikes as well as augmentations for your gun.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Credit: Metamorphosis Games / Fireshine Games
Dodging forward and backward uses separate buttons which took some time to get used to. The combat hits a good rhythm once you learn that you can’t get many strikes in without getting hit yourself and that you really need to use your gun’s ability to stun enemies to get the upper hand. I had a much harder time with the game’s first boss as I learned these basics than I did with the rest. Upgrading the soulslike regenerating healing flask helped as well.
Aletheia can also equip accessories that augment various stats. She has a single slot at first and four by the end. The blacksmith that upgrades your flask can also craft new accessories by combining old ones with materials. Combining the items to upgrade them was an interesting idea, but the game is a little too short to really flesh out this mechanic, so it feels a little underbaked.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Credit: Metamorphosis Games / Fireshine Games
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder features some gorgeous art. The sprites were average, mostly because a lot of the enemy designs don’t stand out, but the pixel art environments captured my imagination. The game’s ravaged steampunk world is rendered in loving detail; its look is part of what inspired so much curiosity in me to learn more about the world. Each level of the city of Canaan is different, from the upper echelons of society, to the slums, to the forgotten clockwork-run lower levels, to the scrap towers of the outskirts ruled by wastelanders driven mad by the polluted rain.
I completed Gestalt with all upgrades, collectibles, and achievements in around 10 hours. It’s helpful that you’re eventually able to buy upgrades that will populate your map with icons for different types of items you’ve missed. The game’s world is a little small and it becomes obvious why once you finish the game and see its cliffhanger ending. I really hope that Metamorphosis and Fireshine Games produce the sequel that the conclusion of Gestalt: Steam & Cinder demands.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Credit: Metamorphosis Games / Fireshine Games
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is an excellent metroidvania with a story that helps it stand out in a crowded genre. Plus, you get to pet a cute corgi dog as you rescue his 23 corgi friends.
Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is available now for PC on Steam.
Overall Score: 8/10
Played on: Steam Deck
