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[radioactivez0r]

I want to check it out, but my biggest concern is as a sort of niche game it may disappear from retailers quicker than usual. I just finished a game and am ready for Bloodborne to take up my time. Will check out demo sooner rather than later to come to a decision.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

Errr, I love Valkyria Chronicles, but there's some faults with that game that this game doesn't have .ie how broken scouts were in the vanilla game, the lack of variety in characters (all scouts were pretty much the same, and all lancers were the same so you pretty much had 6-7 types).

Hell even some of the complaints listed in reviews Valkyria doesn't fare well in either character development (only the core four characters get in it Valkyria); and the spikes of difficulty in the game (I remember that desert stage being a good amount harder than any surrounding stages).

Being short of Valkyria Chronicles and XCOM (never played xp so I'm not going to do a comparision of it) is not a bad thing either.

I still prefer Valkyria as I loved the canvas engine and setting, and it's one of the best games available on the ps3, and there's not many in that genre. Doesn't mean that a game that doesn't hit all the highs shouldn't exist.

Great post as usual, my friend!

Something else I would add is that S.T.E.A.M. is a much more dense and compact game than VC or XCOM. Instead of moving a large team through a large map you are working with only 4 units on maps that are generally fairly small. This allows for some really tight map design that helps to show off the unique abilities of many of the characters (like using Lion's jump attack to reach high areas or using Henry to break certain types of crates).

This game is very similar to VC and XCOM on the surface but it has quite a different feel to it in terms of the moment to moment gameplay.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

The artstyle makes it look like shovelware.

 

[Coconut]

In what way? Outside of the very infrequent crash, the game is technically impressive for the system.

It's too easy to piecemeal the enemy if you're not pressured. Outside of maybe the Miskatonic U library (so far), I'd argue it's too easy in general.

Well I petsonaaly feel that a handheld game should be able to have a full filling and complete experience in short burst sessions while still feeling like a full product. And from all that I've read about the game it doesn't lend itself to that kind of experience it sounds like something that should be on the WiiU. Again that's just me.

 

[Shaanyboi]

I'm largely enjoying it. Yeah the turn thing is fucking obnoxious but the actual design is super interesting.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Actually, Scouts are pretty good in this game...

Tom and Scarecrow can run circles around foes, easily stun them (which doubles damage), and grab items and run back without worry. You probably wanna use at least one of them in each Map, at least through the scenario to collect Gears.

Scarecrow's in my opinion the most broken character when you know how to use him. Pumpkin Bombs + Crossbow WRECKS enemies.

But honestly all the characters, except the last one you get oddly enough who I've yet to figure out how to use and didn't bother with during the main game (and is technically unrevealed by Nintendo, thus a spoiler), can be pretty great depending on the situation. And there's probably some broken combinations people will figure out as the mechanics are figured out.

 

[SuperOrez]

Bought it day one and am absolutely loving it.

 

[Draxal]

The artstyle makes it look like shovelware.

3ds games look horrific in videos and screen shots, it's much more palatable on the actual hardware.

 

[Regiruler]

Well I petsonaaly feel that a handheld game should be able to have a full filling and complete experience in short burst sessions while still feeling like a full product. And from all that I've read about the game it doesn't lend itself to that kind of experience it sounds like something that should be on the WiiU. Again that's just me.

It's turn based. Rather easy to chunk off, in that regard.

Although it's probably a 3DS game moreso for budget reasons. I don't have access to my WiiU anyway so I get to longrun it.

Actually, Scouts are pretty good in this game...

Tom and Scarecrow can run circles around foes, easily stun them (which doubles damage), and grab items and run back without worry. You probably wanna use at least one of them in each Map, at least through the scenario to collect Gears.

Scarecrow's in my opinion the most broken character when you know how to use him. Pumpkin Bombs + Crossbow WRECKS enemies.

IMO, tom's hop makes him better than scarecrow, not to mention having a more reliable super (you try getting that candy 5 spaces away without getting overwatched or killed next turn).

 

[Mupod]

It came out in between monster hunter and bloodborne? Uh...sorry, I guess I'll wait.

 

[Nyoro SF]

Errr, I love Valkyria Chronicles, but there's some faults with that game that this game doesn't have .ie how broken scouts were in the vanilla game, the lack of variety in characters (all scouts were pretty much the same, and all lancers were the same so you pretty much had 6-7 types).

Hell even some of the complaints listed in reviews Valkyria doesn't fare well in either character development (only the core four characters get in it Valkyria); and the spikes of difficulty in the game (I remember that desert stage being a good amount harder than any surrounding stages).

Being short of Valkyria Chronicles and XCOM (never played xp so I'm not going to do a comparision of it) is not a bad thing either.

I still prefer Valkyria as I loved the canvas engine and setting, and it's one of the best games available on the ps3, and there's not many in that genre. Doesn't mean that a game that doesn't hit all the highs shouldn't exist.

While I agree about the balance problems, saying all Scouts and Lancers are the same is 100% not true. Their potentials were different enough to be crucial to certain missions; for instance Elysse and Walter on chapter 7 is a MUCH better pick than Rosina or Yoko. I could go on.

And the focus on four characters in story development was very deliberate to keep the story tight-knit; I'm sure you've seen other media that tries to incorporate too many characters at once which dilutes the story. Military stories usually don't cover the whole unit for that very reason, usually just a group within it.

 

[WonderRade]

I'm largely enjoying it. Yeah the turn thing is fucking obnoxious but the actual design is super interesting.

This makes me want it more cause I didnt even mind the load times in Lego City

 

[Ninja Scooter]

3ds games look horrific in videos and screen shots, it's much more palatable on the actual hardware.

I mean even the art on the cover or in marketing material. It's hideous. Compare the boxart to something like Fire Emblem. Steam looks like a bad licensed kids show.

 

[semiconscious]

The wait for turns is nothing to me, the biggest flaws are the lack of a overhead map to know where the hell to go and the infinite respawns that happen often

& done...

really don't wanna hear about this being 'immersive' or 'innovative'. what it is is very limiting design decision. for s.t.e.a.m., it's the #1 'bad' imo...

 

[Maintenance]

I bought this game only to support Intelligent Systems, maybe in the future I'll eventually play it.

 

[Fury451]

I mean, I should be supporting Nintendo's original IPs, but the game in motion looks so unappealing.

This is my hang up with it. It looks like gameplay I would like, with fun quirky characters, but I just get stopped by the art and presentation.

 

[KingV]

In what way? Outside of the very infrequent crash, the game is technically impressive for the system.

It's too easy to piecemeal the enemy if you're not pressured. Outside of maybe the Miskatonic U library (so far), I'd argue it's too easy in general.

If the AI was less static this wouldn't be an issue.

I actually find the game quite difficult compared to AW or FE. Currently stuck on the mission in the

Spoiler

graveyard. I dont know what to do about the lurkers, and had similar trouble with the eyes spotting for the artillery

 

[Dominator]

I'll be honest, I bought it day 1 and absolutely hated it. Even when it was my own turn I found it incredibly boring and un-fun, but the enemy turns were icing on the cake for my hate. I sold it the next day and I'll never return, but I'm glad some are enjoying it.

 

[Coconut]

It's turn based. Rather easy to chunk off, in that regard.

Although it's probably a 3DS game moreso for budget reasons. I don't have access to my WiiU anyway so I get to longrun it.

IMO, tom's hop makes him better than scarecrow, not to mention having a more reliable super (you try getting that candy 5 spaces away without getting overwatched or killed next turn).

See when I use my 3DS i generally don't know if I'm going to able to play with it for 5 minutes or 30 because I use it to kill time while I'm running errand or when I don't have anything going on at work. So I could not play it for days and then only get to use it for 15 minutes in a given week. To me that's not the ideal way to play an RTS.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

IMO, tom's hop makes him better than scarecrow, not to mention having a more reliable super (you try getting that candy 5 spaces away without getting overwatched or killed next turn).

Yeah, Tom's good for grabbing Gears.

But Scarecrow can completely own the field. You can easily pull off two Pumpkin Bombs, and throw them in a way to help block of paths from the enemies, or get them to herd together. Then they go off, stun the foe, and Scarecrow's got basically all his steam back. He goes great with John and Queequeg, who can then send an explosive at the stunned foes.

Then block the path again with the Pumpkin Bombs, and watch as the enemies try to move near you but are blocked.

 

[Regiruler]

& done...

really don't wanna hear about this being 'immersive' or 'innovative'. what it is is very limiting design decision. for s.t.e.a.m., it's the #1 'bad' imo...

1. The two words aren't even remotely similar, despite both being thrown around like candy.I admit to using the former, no-one is claiming the latter.
2. The game would be piss easy with it, and entire maps would be ruined. Maps like the Miskatonic Library would pose no challenge if you could see everything around you with no risk.

If the AI was less static this wouldn't be an issue.

I actually find the game quite difficult compared to AW or FE. Currently stuck on the mission in the

Spoiler

graveyard. I dont know what to do about the lurkers, and had similar trouble with the eyes spotting for the artillery

I actually don't know if there's a limited number of lurkers or not, so I just stayed on the stone. However, it made the one shortcut near the beginning impassible as there's no way to get through that much dirt with even the largest steam maximum, so there's something I'm not doing right in that regard (it leads to a gear in the church, but you can get it later).

For the eyes, you can be in its sight and under cover, and bait them every turn. When there are no other party members near, just get behind a wall so it can't see you, and it will disappear at the start of the enemy turn.

 

[Draxal]

While I agree about the balance problems, saying all Scouts and Lancers are the same is 100% not true. Their potentials were different enough to be crucial to certain missions; for instance Elysse and Walter on chapter 7 is a MUCH better pick than Rosina or Yoko. I could go on.

And the focus on four characters in story development was very deliberate to keep the story tight-knit; I'm sure you've seen other media that tries to incorporate too many characters at once which dilutes the story. Military stories usually don't cover the whole unit for that very reason, usually just a group within it.

The variance in characters is not as strong as Steam where characters have unique main weapons and special abilities (and there's more of them). I understand Valk 2/3 have more classes (and I'm really upset about 3 not being playable here).

And I think the character development complaint about Steam is incredibly silly myself, not knocking Valkyria Chronicles in that regard. The enemy turns taking too long (and it's not as long as I thought it would be based on the demo) is still by far my biggest fault with the game.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

I never really had trouble figuring out where the exit was...

A few times it was blocked, but usually by a giant Boss enemy so it was obvious I needed to go through them.

I actually find the game quite difficult compared to AW or FE. Currently stuck on the mission in the graveyard. I dont know what to do about the lurkers, and had similar trouble with the eyes spotting for the artillery

Spoiler

Do you mean the worms?

Pay attention to the ground, they only pop up where the cement is broken. That's the level that teaches you to look at the ground too.

On your turn, you can move along the ground but look for glowing spots, as they'll pop out if you touch them. Or if you use Scarecrow's bombs, you can stun them. I believe there are only two at a time (you can kill them, but they'll respawn), so move carefully and you should be able to get near the boss. Around the boss is mostly cement, so the worms won't get to you there. Use Pumpkin Bombs to stun the enemies, and aim for the Alien Mother's eye. Punching it with Tom's Punch Gun works great.

 

[Of All Trades]

I've ignored it in large part because it sounds/looks "whacky" in a trite, insipid way, rather than a clever way, and all the positive comments have reaffirmed that impression.

 

[The End]

This game feels like it's hobbled by both dumb design decisions (the enemy turn issue, lack of minimap or pre-mission briefings) and technical considerations (slow, wonky camera, poor draw distance, ugly ugly graphics)

Do yourself a favor, if you enjoyed the demo go buy the X-Com: Enemy Unknown complete pack on steam for $10 and install the long war mod, it's a waaaaaay better game.

 

[rawktapus]

The artstyle makes it look like shovelware.

I've seen far more shovelware that uses the generic anime artstyle FE implements, frankly STEAM is a breath of fresh air in the character design department.

 

[Mesoian]

And the port-begging begins...

It's not really port begging. I feel like there are some very real technical limitations on the 3DS that keep STEAM from being a truly excellent game. It's good on the 3DS, but...the stuff that the lack of processing power or draw distance hinders hurts the overall game.

This game feels like it's hobbled by both dumb design decisions (the enemy turn issue, lack of minimap or pre-mission briefings) and technical considerations (slow, wonky camera, ugly ugly graphics)

Do yourself a favor, if you enjoyed the demo go buy the X-Com: Enemy Unknown complete pack on steam for $10 and install the long war mod, it's a waaaaaay better game.

Or Valkyria Chronicles 2. STEAM feels a lot like VC2 with a lot of the leveling quirks ironed out, but is hobbled the technical limitations.

 

[Baron von Loathsome]

I got it on launch day. I haven't played it much, but it gives off a great first impression to me.

 

[Regiruler]

Yeah, Tom's good for grabbing Gears.

But Scarecrow can completely own the field. You can easily pull off two Pumpkin Bombs, and throw them in a way to help block of paths from the enemies, or get them to herd together. Then they go off, stun the foe, and Scarecrow's got basically all his steam back. He goes great with John and Queequeg, who can then send an explosive at the stunned foes.

Then block the path again with the Pumpkin Bombs, and watch as the enemies try to move near you but are blocked.

Honestly the bombs just feel too costly to me. What you say can basically be done by john alone if you equip the stun grenade, which is half the cost.
Not to mention the punch gun has probably one of the highest stun rates in the game (outside of stun-based weapons like the pumpkin bomb, obviously).

It's not really port begging. I feel like there are some very real technical limitations on the 3DS that keep STEAM from being a truly excellent game. It's good on the 3DS, but...the stuff that the lack of processing power or draw distance hinders hurts the overall game.

Why draw distance? The maps are rather small and the enemies, if you have line of sight, are always visible. The only complaint I would have is that you can't see if an enemy is stunned or not when you're far away (which is a big deal when you're playing Queequeg).

Processing power I'll give you: it'd help speed up turns.

 

[AndrewDean84xX]

I really don't consider controversial voice actors to be a problem because they have zero impact on the development, but then again, I realized I tend to separate the artist from the product very often.

Very true. I still like watching Tom Cruise movies, despite his over the top religious beliefs. In terms of entertainment, I leave real world stuff at the door and can enjoy what's on the screen.

 

[The End]

Or Valkyria Chronicles 2. STEAM feels a lot like VC2 with a lot of the leveling quirks ironed out, but is hobbled the technical limitations.

Or VC1 for that matter, which is regularly $10 or less these days and runs just fine on really modest hardware.

 

[Mesoian]

Why draw distance? The maps are rather small and the enemies, if you have line of sight, are always visible. The only complaint I would have is that you can't see if an enemy is stunned or not when you're far away (which is a big deal when you're playing Queequeg).

I ran into a few instances where enemies on raised platforms either aren't visable or are barely visible from not that far off of a distance, even when someone else has their painted in their vision. Though that might be more an error of the FOW rather than draw distance, which, if so, is a different but still just as a severe, problem.

Or VC1 for that matter, which is regularly $10 or less these days and runs just fine on really modest hardware.

I compared it more to VC2 as STEAM's class/character system is much less exploitable than VC1's, in which scouts are gods.

 

[SinCityAssassin]

I fully enjoyed the game so it gets my support.

My complaint is that I didn't get that fucking Majora's Mask pin bonus because the gamestop I ordered from only had like 10 shipped in.

 

[Regiruler]

I ran into a few instances where enemies on raised platforms either aren't visable or are barely visible from not that far off of a distance, even when someone else has their painted in their vision. Though that might be more an error of the FOW rather than draw distance, which, if so, is a different but still just as a severe, problem.

What chapter was this? I can't think of anything particularly severe, outside of (again) Miskatonic U's bookshelf jumpers.

 

[Neiteio]

Incredible OT. Seriously tempted to pick this up this weekend. So addicted to RER2 right now, though. And Bloodborne this Tuesday. :/

 

[Overside]

Very true. I still like watching Tom Cruise movies, despite his over the top religious beliefs. In terms of entertainment, I leave real world stuff at the door and can enjoy what's on the screen.

Some of us don't.

 

[Neiteio]

What chapter was this? I can't think of anything particularly severe, outside of (again) Miskatonic U's bookshelf jumpers.

Miskatonic University is a location in the game?!?

 

[KingV]

1. The two words aren't even remotely similar, despite both being thrown around like candy.I admit to using the former, no-one is claiming the latter.
2. The game would be piss easy with it, and entire maps would be ruined. Maps like the Miskatonic Library would pose no challenge if you could see everything around you with no risk.

I actually don't know if there's a limited number of lurkers or not, so I just stayed on the stone. However, it made the one shortcut near the beginning impassible as there's no way to get through that much dirt with even the largest steam maximum, so there's something I'm not doing right in that regard (it leads to a gear in the church, but you can get it later).

For the eyes, you can be in its sight and under cover, and bait them every turn. When there are no other party members near, just get behind a wall so it can't see you, and it will disappear at the start of the enemy turn.

In my game, the boss ran to the back where you have to cross the dirt... Maybe it was just bad luck for that part.

 

[Regiruler]

Miskatonic University is a location in the game?!?

Yeah, it's where you find Carter.

In my game, the boss ran to the back where you have to cross the dirt... Maybe it was just bad luck for that part.

I ran Queequeg so that actually wasn't an issue for me. I could see how it would be annoying though.

 

[Draxal]

Miskatonic University is a location in the game?!?

Lovecraft's self insert character is a playable character in the game.

 

[The_Darkest_Red]

Miskatonic University is a location in the game?!?

Yep! There is a lot of Lovecraftian stuff going on in this game. Randolph Carter is even a playable character.

 

[Watch Da Birdie]

Miskatonic University is a location in the game?!?

The Lovecraft Mythos-influence really ramps up at that part.

After you get Randolph Carter, he adds bestiary entries for all the aliens you've encountered full of Lovecraft shout-outs and referencing how is dream journeys. There's some name drops of things like Whateley, Dunwich, Innsmuth, etc.

 

[cvben]

I just can't be bothered to support Nintendo any longer, so no thanks.

 

[PSqueak]

This game feels like it's hobbled by both dumb design decisions (the enemy turn issue, lack of minimap or pre-mission briefings) and technical considerations (slow, wonky camera, poor draw distance, ugly ugly graphics)

Do yourself a favor, if you enjoyed the demo go buy the X-Com: Enemy Unknown complete pack on steam for $10 and install the long war mod, it's a waaaaaay better game.

"If you enjoyed the demo for a game I didn't like, please don't buy the game you did enjoy, buy something else for an entirely different platform because i think it's better. Because it's unthinkable that you could buy and enjoy both!"

 

[Tain]

I still gotta beat Valkyria Chronicles and XCOM, and I find this game's aesthetics super unappealing. Can't really justify getting it.

 

[JacksUsername]

I find it hard to blindly recommend the game since it definitely has major problems, the enemy turn length being number one. I'd like to see a sequel where these issues get addressed, but in such a competitive gaming climate, it feels like if you don't hit it out of the park on your first go, then you're most likely not going to get a second shot (unless you have sales like Destiny). A shame, since there's a lot to like, and it could be a good foundation for a great series, but the drawbacks in this first installment are just too great imo.

 

[Malio]

The art style looks like shit, the game-play videos look...unappealing. It's on a handheld system which I don't own and don't plan to own. Sorry.

 

[digita1alchemy]

I want it but Monster Hunter 4U is completely monopolizing my 3DS time right now. I'm confident I'll enjoy it and I'll likely grab it in a few months.

 

[semiconscious]

1. The two words aren't even remotely similar, despite both being thrown around like candy.I admit to using the former, no-one is claiming the latter.
2. The game would be piss easy with it, and entire maps would be ruined. Maps like the Miskatonic Library would pose no challenge if you could see everything around you with no risk...

1) i never said they were similar. i've seen the decision to go with a forced third-person pov described as 'innovative'...
2) the answer is called 'fog of war', & used in a number of srpgs. the map's revealed as you progress, & the overhead view gives you a more concrete idea of where enemy movement is occurring. now, if there're maps that're designed in such a way that they'd still be ruined even by using fog of war, i'm not sure what to tell you ...

 

[Edag Plata]

Oh shoot Adam Baldwin is one of the voices?

I'm in now.