Summary
- Release Year: 2014
- Genres: Indie, Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS)
- Platforms: Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Worthless Bums
- Publishers: Worthless Bums
Steam Marines: A Deep Dive into the Steampunk Roguelike
Released in 2014, Steam Marines is a squad-based roguelike set on a steampunk spaceship. Developed by Ironclad Games, the game combines tactical gameplay with a unique steampunk aesthetic to create a challenging and rewarding experience.
Gameplay
Steam Marines is played from a top-down perspective, and the player controls a squad of up to four marines. The game is divided into levels, each of which is procedurally generated. The player’s goal is to clear each level of enemies and reach the elevator that will take them to the next level.
The marines in Steam Marines are each equipped with a unique set of weapons and abilities. The player must carefully position their marines and use their abilities strategically in order to succeed. The game features a variety of enemies, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The player must learn how to adapt their tactics to each situation in order to survive.
In addition to the main campaign, Steam Marines also features a number of side missions and challenges. These missions offer the player a chance to earn new weapons and equipment, and to test their skills against increasingly difficult enemies.
Setting
Steam Marines is set on a steampunk spaceship called the Leviathan. The Leviathan is a massive vessel that is home to a variety of different people and factions. The player’s squad of marines is tasked with protecting the Leviathan from a variety of threats, including pirates, aliens, and rogue AI.
The steampunk setting of Steam Marines is one of its most distinctive features. The game’s world is filled with steam-powered machines and gadgets, and the characters wear clothing and armor that is reminiscent of the Victorian era. The steampunk aesthetic gives the game a unique and immersive atmosphere.
Reception
Steam Marines received positive reviews from critics upon release. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, unique setting, and permadeath mechanic. Many reviewers compared the game to FTL: Faster Than Light, another popular roguelike.
Steam Marines was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies in its first year of release. The game has since been ported to a variety of platforms, including PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Conclusion
Steam Marines is a challenging and rewarding roguelike that offers a unique steampunk experience. The game’s tactical gameplay, permadeath mechanic, and procedurally generated levels ensure that each playthrough is different. If you’re a fan of roguelikes or steampunk, then Steam Marines is definitely worth checking out.
Tips for Playing Steam Marines
- Positioning is key. The player must carefully position their marines in order to take advantage of cover and to avoid enemy fire.
- Use your abilities wisely. Each marine has a unique set of abilities that can be used to turn the tide of battle. The player must learn how to use these abilities effectively in order to succeed.
- Don’t be afraid to retreat. If the player’s marines are taking too much damage, it’s important to retreat and regroup. The player can use the environment to their advantage by using cover and choke points to slow down the enemy’s advance.
- Be prepared to die. Steam Marines is a roguelike, and death is a part of the game. The player should not be discouraged if they die, but instead learn from their mistakes and try again.
Additional Information
- Developer: Ironclad Games
- Publisher: Paradox Interactive
- Release Date: March 18, 2014
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
- Genre: Roguelike, Tactics, Steampunk
- ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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