There have been games that were ahead of their time for their gameplay. There have been games
that were ahead of their time for their story. This is a game that was ahead of its time,
even though its gameplay and story were pretty much the standard for the time.
So what was so unique about Steel Empire?
Talk to the steampunk kid at the thrift shop, he’ll tell you all about it.
Now, I don’t know this for sure, as I’m not delusional. I live in reality, not a fantasy
world with stupid mustaches and strange eyewear. But I really don’t think the whole “steampunk”
thing was as big in 1992 as it is now. Now, you see it all over the place. Especially
at thrift shops, are you kidding me? You can’t even go into thrift shops anymore.
Not without bumping into…freaking, Emperor Lucas Goodbody III. See, you try to buy a
cheap gift for a person you don’t even like…and you have to deal with all these steampunk
hipsters.
Welcome to 2014, everyone. This is the future.
We were promised hover boards, and we got monocles.
Anyway, point is, when this game was originally released 22 years ago…you didn’t see this
steampunk stuff. I mean, I’m sure it was a thing, but…it wasn’t as big of a thing.
So it makes a lot of sense to take Steel Empire, a steampunk game based on one of the definitive
books in steampunk, culture, or whatever…and put it out now, when it’s more mainstream.
Only problem is, you can’t fashion a 3DS out of springs and gears, so.
Its target audience will never get to play it, anyway.
I’ll tell you what, though. Playing this game now makes me wish it was still 1992.
Not because the most annoying thing people wore back then were Starter jackets…which
were the opposite of annoying…but because video games were awesome. This game is awesome.
It’s way more awesome than the crap that comes out today, that costs a billion dollars
to make and takes seven weeks of your life to actually play.
Steel Empire is a video game.
Not a thesis on interpersonal human relationships in the face of heavy aerial fire, or something…which
probably isn’t even real. But sounds like modern gaming to me.
So what I’ve been trying to say for the last few minutes by complaining like an old
person…is that this is a remake. It’s the 1992 Genesis game, brought back on the
3DS. And brought back pretty damn well, too. I’ve always liked Steel Empire. It was a
solid shooter with a great style, that really set it apart from all the space shooters at
the time.
And the thing about releasing it now is that…side-scrolling shoot ‘em ups aren’t quite as overdone
as they were in 1992. So the game seems fresher now, than it did back then.
So what’s it like? Well, there are seven levels, each inspired by the steampunk concept.
So there’s massive airships, floating cities
in the clouds…silly facial hair. And again, that alone was enough to make Steel Empire
unique. It really did stand out back then thanks to its tremendous art, and it looks
even better now. It hasn’t gotten a serious overhaul, but…everything looks sharper,
and clearer. And the colors are a lot bolder, too.
The 3DS lets Steel Empire look as good as it was supposed to.
And it already looked pretty freaking good.
Of course, the gameplay was pretty standard for its time…but again, going back to it
now, it’s kind of refreshing. Especially given its little quirks. Steel Empire was
a pretty standard shooter, but it did make a few interesting adjustments. So one, you
could shoot backwards, and that’s used extensively throughout the game, the level designs really
take advantage. So you’re swarmed by enemies left and right, the enemies loop behind you…
It really make the game fun.
And two, you also get to choose your ride. You can pick between a huge air ship, which
offers more firepower…or a plane, which is faster and more nimble. And I mean, it’s
only two choices, but…having any choice at all was pretty cool in 1992.
And actually, that’s the drawback of Steel Empire. As awesome as it looks, as great as
the gameplay is…there’s just not much content. There are only seven levels, so it
takes about an hour or so to beat the game. Which is fine, you know, it’s meant to be
played for high scores, anyway. But the problem is…this new version launched for 30 dollars
on the eShop.
And even for a game this good…that’s a lot of money for a game this short.
So that’s obviously something to consider.
This is easily the best version of Steel Empire I’ve ever played. I love how faithful it
is to the original…but looking at it in a modern context also gives you the opportunity
for improvements. Like the graphics, and the music, and the achievements…and the easier
game modes. Which means more people can play and enjoy the game, which is the whole point
of games.
That’s all good stuff.
That price is less good. Especially for a game with a 1992 amount of content. This game
is better than ever on the 3DS…but whether or not it’s worth that price is entirely
up to you.
Maybe you can barter some old watch parts.
Weirdos. It’s Steel Empire for the Nintendo 3DS.