Steel Seed: A Comprehensive Review of a Unique Stealth Adventure
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S
Developer: Storm in a Teacup | Publisher: ESDigital Games
Steel Seed immerses players in a third-person action-adventure set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world where humanity has retreated to subterranean facilities overseen by machines. Crafted by the Italian studio Storm in a Teacup, which boasts talents from the renowned Hitman franchise, and featuring a narrative co-written by Martin Korda (known for titles like Fable and The Movies), this game presents a compelling emotional storyline alongside remarkably refined mechanics—especially considering its mid-budget classification.
The central character, Zoe, a partially cyborg individual, awakens in a hostile environment devoid of memories. Accompanied by Koby, a small yet essential drone, Zoe embarks on a quest to restore her father’s consciousness, potentially saving the remnants of humanity in the process. While the premise may seem familiar, Steel Seed skillfully sidesteps clichés by crafting a journey centered on self-discovery and trust. The interaction with Koby, though limited to auditory and visual cues, is filled with emotion and acts as the emotional core of the narrative. The progression of the story is intricately tied to gameplay, making each newly unlocked skill or explored environment deepen the player’s understanding of the game’s universe.
Steel Seed combines elements of stealth, hand-to-hand combat, and parkour exploration in a hybrid structure. Stealth mechanics take the spotlight, drawing inspiration from the principles established in the Hitman series. The enemy AI, while somewhat predictable, is astute enough to penalize mistakes without being overly punishing. Utilizing Koby to mark patrol routes, distract robotic foes, or scan escape routes transforms each location into a small tactical puzzle, encouraging strategic thinking.
In addition, the game features a skill tree with approximately 40 upgrades, which can be unlocked by achieving gameplay objectives such as destroying weak points or executing ambushes flawlessly. Skills like generating "holographic grass" for camouflage, hacking enemies, and deploying Koby as a tactical turret add variety to gameplay approaches.
Conversely, direct combat is functional but somewhat limited. Armed with just a single energy sword and lacking options like blocking or parrying, Zoe must rely on precise dodging to survive encounters. While there are light and heavy attacks, the absence of integrated combos and a lack of diverse enemies—primarily generic robots—render these battles less memorable. Nevertheless, the responsiveness of the controls, precise locking mechanics, and fluid movement help mitigate frustration during combat.
Zoe’s agility shines through in her movement capabilities, featuring double jumps, slides, and wall-running that make the game feel like a competent 3D platformer. The subterranean settings, filled with narrow platforms, chasms, and vertical structures, enhance these abilities, supported by cohesive and rewarding level design. Elements such as climbable towers, wall panels, and hazard zones create dynamic traversal experiences—an impressive feat for a game originally marketed as a stealth title.
Koby is not merely a charming sidekick; he serves as a central tool for both combat and navigation. He scans environments, marks enemies, hacks systems, activates levers, and even distracts or attacks targets. As players progress, Koby unlocks new functions, strengthening the emotional bond with Zoe despite his lack of spoken dialogue. The design choices surrounding Koby’s narrative and mechanics are among the most laudable aspects of the game.
The art direction is another standout feature of Steel Seed. Its detailed industrial environments, artificial biomes, and colossal structures create a persistent sense of scale and decay. Lighting plays a crucial role in amplifying the feeling of isolation, while the atmospheric soundtrack complements the experience without overwhelming the immersive quality of the game.
It’s important to note that the pre-launch version encountered significant technical issues, with visual flickering, bugs in death animations, failures in quick-time events (QTEs), and limitations concerning DualSense controller support (such as continuous vibrations and incorrect icons). On ultrawide monitors (21:9), the visuals may appear stretched, and RAM drops were reported in areas like the Biological Node. The lack of an option to disable upscaling also affected performance on some systems. However, the developer addressed many of these issues with a Day One patch.
While Steel Seed doesn’t completely reinvent the genre, it carves out its own identity by merging solid stealth mechanics, captivating environments, intelligent level design, and an emotionally driven narrative featuring a charismatic duo. The limitations in combat and enemy variety are noticeable but do not detract from the overall experience. In a landscape saturated with generic dystopian themes, Steel Seed distinguishes itself on its own merits—making it a title worth playing for those seeking more than just another robot-centric game.
The game’s ability to engage players through its narrative and gameplay mechanics, combined with its aesthetic appeal, positions it as a unique offering in the realm of action-adventure titles. As players navigate through the challenges presented by both the environment and the enemies, they will find themselves deeply invested in Zoe’s journey and her connection to Koby. This bond not only enhances the emotional weight of the storyline but also contributes to the overall gameplay experience—encouraging players to explore every corner of the intricately crafted world.
In conclusion, Steel Seed emerges as a notable addition to the genre, successfully blending various gameplay elements while delivering a heartfelt story. Its strengths lie in its art direction, engaging narrative, and innovative use of mechanics, which together create a rich gaming experience. While it does have areas that could benefit from further development, particularly in combat variety, its overall execution and vision shine through, making it a must-try for enthusiasts of stealth action games.
