Fimbulvetr
Member
I was waiting for impressions from gaffers whose opinions I trust. I saw a few, so I guess I'm in.
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In Defense of S.T.E.A.M.: A Great, Original Game Is About To Fall Through The Cracks!
- Thread starter Watch Da Birdie
- Start date
theprodigy
Member
InfiniteNine
Rolling Girl
Well I probably would have picked it up down the line if you didn't tell me Adam Baldwin was involved so I'll wait and see if he isn't involved in a sequel then.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
its more the characters and setting are shit to put it bluntly.
its getting ignored due to people being turned off by the overall design and do not blame them either.
that splatoon example someone else gave was good. as the design captured the attention of many in a good way and why there is so much hype behind it.
MisterHero
Super Member
I want to support Intelligent Systems because they made a genuine attempt at game focused on westerners without doing the obvious thing and aping Hollywood movies.
Strong manga/anime influences are becoming more and more limiting to games Nintendo wants to sell worldwide. Example:
STEAM's aesthetic might not stick but IS deserves tons of credit for trying.
Strong manga/anime influences are becoming more and more limiting to games Nintendo wants to sell worldwide. Example:
Xenoblade X
STEAM's aesthetic might not stick but IS deserves tons of credit for trying.
Not to single you out, but I just don't understand the overwhelming amount of complaints the artstyle's gotten. While I love me some Lovecraft, I'm not an American literature expert but I love the way they've interpreted these characters and I think the artstyle is vibrant and uses the comic book aesthetic well (at least this is impression I get from the demo). I'm also way into alternative-history fiction.
Even if it's not your cuppa tea, there's a level of craft and care put into the art that disqualifies it from being shit imo.
Basileus777
Member
It feels like something hobbled by the platform it is on. From the cramped map design, to the slow pacing, to the poor visuals. I'm as disinterested in it as I am in handheld Valkryia games. It doesn't help that I have zero interest in the setting/characters.
Prime crotch
Banned
I really hate the name, for the longest time I thought it was something like project hammer and just didnt check into it. It does look cool, anything that reminds me of Valkyria Chronicles is a-ok by me, albeit slow.
Parakeetman
No one wants a throne you've been sitting on!
It looks like something that came out of a 5th graders notebook. Seriously. NOTHING redeeming about the style for the characters and its way too focused to have any sort of mass appeal outside of America or Nintendo hardliners.
RyougaSaotome
Member
Super uninterested in the premise and actively dislike the visual style. Also I'm pretty much done with steampunk for the next decade.
I can normally force myself through a game if it's only one of those things I have issue with, but in this case the combo is too much for me.
Enemy turn times also destroy it for me since I'd largely be playing it on commutes to work. Also not super crazy about alternative-history fiction most of the time. Probably the singular exception I make to that is Sengoku Basara tbh.
I can normally force myself through a game if it's only one of those things I have issue with, but in this case the combo is too much for me.
Enemy turn times also destroy it for me since I'd largely be playing it on commutes to work. Also not super crazy about alternative-history fiction most of the time. Probably the singular exception I make to that is Sengoku Basara tbh.
Ultimadrago
Member
What's the voice actor issue?
Edit: Okay, saw the Baldwin one. Wowza. Now looking for the Wil Wheaton deal.
Edit: Okay, saw the Baldwin one. Wowza. Now looking for the Wil Wheaton deal.
TheSlySoul
Member
Ouch, but yeah Rainbow Curse was a bug disappointment after Canvas Curse.
I am waiting for the EU release. Not supporting NoA anymore.
WrenchNinja
Member
There's nothing wrong with Will Wheaton unless you really really hate Wesley
You must know some pretty talented fifth graders if you think that's a comparable style. And you know there is something 'redeeming' about the art-style; I'm a sucker for the Silver Age aesthetics and the blending of vibrant colorization really speaks to me on a personal note. Oh and about appeal; I've had several friends and acquaintances be interested enough in getting the game just on the absurdity of Lincoln vs Aliens and find themselves laughing at how Henry Flemming is steampunk Captain America. None of them are from the States by birth , have English as a second language and the 3DS is the first Nintendo console most of them have owned. The appeal is there.
Yeah yeah I know; he said she said 'friend of a friend.'
nobodyshero
Banned
I bought it, I did my part to support it. But with Majora, MH4, and a bunch of console games, it'll be awhile before I even break the plastic open.
Only out in the US at the moment. Comes out in Europe and Japan in a few months, maybe that's where the confusion is coming from?
"Jack Kirby? Pfft, everyone knows Stan Lee did everything with Marvel. I don't know this Steve Ditko but he sounds like a fraud"
Seriously, read an old comic book people.
Beelzebufo
Banned
I didn't buy it right away because I'm not huge on the art style and I was saving for Bloodborne, but I thought I'd just wait for a sale after seeing the reviews. And now Adam Baldwins in the game? Ick. Does he play a bad guy at least?
Haunted
Member
I think comparing the in-game 3D look of the game to Mike Mignola's sublime art is borderline insulting.
like what the fuck are you even saying
If you want to insist on invoking Mignola as inspiration for the 2D character drawings, my honest impression is that they've just flat-out failed. The most diplomatic reply I have is that they tried to do it... and maybe managed to produce something on the level of a cheap saturday morning cartoon knockoff.
like what the fuck are you even saying
If you want to insist on invoking Mignola as inspiration for the 2D character drawings, my honest impression is that they've just flat-out failed. The most diplomatic reply I have is that they tried to do it... and maybe managed to produce something on the level of a cheap saturday morning cartoon knockoff.
Baron von Loathsome
Member
Bruce Timm was cited as well.
I think comparing the in-game 3D look of the game to Mike Mignola's sublime art is borderline insulting.
like what the fuck are you even saying
I'm thinking Mignola is more the enemy designs. With the differences in the color usage, though, it's probably not as evident an influence.
Yep, also I can run Valkyria Chronicles in 4K so that's another plus.
The enemy designs are a lot more detailed than people give credit. The prowler in particular actually has a very detailed model (and those assholes are everywhere), you just can't see it unless you're really close. My favorite detail is how they ruffle their spines.Bruce Timm was cited as well.
I'm thinking Mignola is more the enemy designs. With the differences in the color usage, though, it's probably not as evident an influence.
I think comparing the in-game 3D look of the game to Mike Mignola's sublime art is borderline insulting.
like what the fuck are you even saying
Exactly, My thought...
Please, I'm maybe bigger fan of Mignola or Darwyn Cooke than most people here, not gonna related at all to why I dislike this game art.
This like 10+ level above.
SerTapTap
Member
Only complaints I see about X's visuals are the awful faces. Those are not "anime" faces. Those are some unholy fusion of realism and anime done in the worst way.
I do think they tried something interesting here but a zoomed out 3d game on a 240p screen has very limited options for art styles and this just didn't work.
OP and Riposte's makes me really want to give a chance to this game. But like Riposte had said, the release time for this game is really bad. It was releases after MH4U and MM. By the time people done with either two or both, Bloodborne, MLB, and/or Pillar of Eternity come out.
Castef
Banned
Also, try Ghost Recon Shadow Wars on 3DS, it has a very nice Xcom feeling.
Tried STEAM demo, did not like it.
yoshiunity
Member
Yeah, the art definitely isn't Mignola. In no way, shape or form does it have any of his creative use of ink and line work. But you know what? And that's fine because it doesn't try to be that, or else it would look more like what the Darkest Dungeon was going for. (And I'm not saying Darkest Dungeon and Hellboy artstyle are exactly the same. Just similar.) Plus, with the overall tone of Code Name S.T.E.A.M., Mignola would have been the last style they would want to achieve.
If anything, it's more Golden Age comic, mixed with the anatomy similar to Bruce Timm. Or something of Batman: The Brave and the Bold with a hint of anime. Either way it's spun, I honestly dig it.
Or they could just buy Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. The game has enough content to warrant the price, and if they liked what the demo offer then they should be cool with actually purchasing the full game. Then be ready to delve into other games like X-Com and VC if this prove to be a genre that they can get into.
If anything, it's more Golden Age comic, mixed with the anatomy similar to Bruce Timm. Or something of Batman: The Brave and the Bold with a hint of anime. Either way it's spun, I honestly dig it.
Or they could just buy Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. The game has enough content to warrant the price, and if they liked what the demo offer then they should be cool with actually purchasing the full game. Then be ready to delve into other games like X-Com and VC if this prove to be a genre that they can get into.
Off-topic but just want to say, the Hellboy books are incredible. Not even a comic person, but I inhale those books as soon as they come out. Which isn't often, since I wait for the trades, and Mignola takes his sweet time completing each arc or story collection. But boy are they worth the wait. Such a wonderful character and world.I think comparing the in-game 3D look of the game to Mike Mignola's sublime art is borderline insulting.
like what the fuck are you even saying
If you want to insist on invoking Mignola as inspiration for the 2D character drawings, my honest impression is that they've just flat-out failed. The most diplomatic reply I have is that they tried to do it... and maybe managed to produce something on the level of a cheap saturday morning cartoon knockoff.
Watch Da Birdie
I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
Yeah I find the alien designs in this game to be pretty great, really a different flavor from the usual Nintendo-enemy...
"Star-Face" is seriously one of the coolest Nintendo villains in the last couple of years. I literally want him in Smash Brothers 5 to some extent.
"Star-Face" is seriously one of the coolest Nintendo villains in the last couple of years. I literally want him in Smash Brothers 5 to some extent.
Riposte
Member
I just wanted to add the multiplayer may just be my favorite part of the whole package, and it's easily the most overlooked in an already overlooked game. While there are a few games somewhat like it, CN:S has enough colorful mechanics in the form of weapons and character abilities, in addition to overwatch and TPS mechanics, to differentiate it into a unique experience.
With a human as your opponent, watching with a limited view during their turn becomes more meaningful and necessary, a far cry from whatever complaints one may have for the singleplayer. Said turns are timed at 60 seconds, which makes it a balancing act between using the steam of each character effectively. Despite the turn-based nature of the game, matches are fast and brutal, usually lasting no more than a half dozen turns and that's often with players clinging to dear life as they try to find a way to comeback. Considering overwatch and stuns, it's not rare where you'll end up stepping right into a momentum-shifting ambush. In my experience, this hasn't lead to a very defensive heavy game, probably due to the small map sizes and pick-ups that can give you a major edge (especially when combined with explosive characters). While I could see this being very frustrating to players and may make the multiplayer a harsh learning experience at times (as I've witnessed with a few rage-quit disconnects lol), it makes for a very tense skirmishes, especially between players of almost equal skill. I wish I could show you replays of some of my more interesting matches, because I think they would sell the concept much better than what I'm trying to say.
One major downside though is that you almost have to play through the campaign to keep up (if not all of it, then at least until you get almost all of the characters). While the "upgrades" in this game (weapon and boiler unlocks) tend to be horizontal (as in, merely increasing in variety than better), one big exception is the final boiler you unlock after collecting the three gears of every map (I would recommend doing this on your first playthrough of every map); it's basically one of two big end-game rewards (the other being a character I haven't unlocked yet) and it's better than most of the boilers in the game, effectively replacing a few outright. Additionally, it's generally more frustrating to lose when your opponent has access to something you don't (and I think in the case of the "Sentry" sub-weapon that something may be pivotal the game's overall strategy). The game has a decent sized cast with unique abilities and main weapon with quite a large list of sub-weapons, however it's no so much where you won't immediately recognize who you are facing or what gun they just used. There are somewhere like six very different maps, which have been fun adapting my otherwise successful team to. It's far too early to say what options are decidedly best and worst, and I can only hope this game musters a small scene of sorts, like Days of Ruin did.
On another note, I want to also appreciate the game's music, which has already an early contender of my favorite soundtrack of the year. This shouldn't surprise anyone who's been following the game and knows it has the same composer as Intelligence System's Advance War series, Yoshito Hirano. On the battlefield, you usually get two sets of songs, for you and your opponent, and each song is broken down into three "phases" a la Metal Gear Solid where it shifts between these songs based on the current status of battle. Unfortunately, I can't post the whole series of my favorite song, so I'll just link the middle part of it. Although it isn't my favorite, I did manage to find one full series and like most songs in the game, it's very good: 1, 2, and 3 (from "quiet" to "loud"). My perfectionism has led me to listening to these tracks more than most people will, but I've never gotten sick of them (in part thanks to how dynamic it is in action). For those interested, you do unlock a soundtest after clearing the game's campaign (then names for these songs are different than what the youtube videos describe, with my favorites being called Deadly Dance I, II, and III).
With a human as your opponent, watching with a limited view during their turn becomes more meaningful and necessary, a far cry from whatever complaints one may have for the singleplayer. Said turns are timed at 60 seconds, which makes it a balancing act between using the steam of each character effectively. Despite the turn-based nature of the game, matches are fast and brutal, usually lasting no more than a half dozen turns and that's often with players clinging to dear life as they try to find a way to comeback. Considering overwatch and stuns, it's not rare where you'll end up stepping right into a momentum-shifting ambush. In my experience, this hasn't lead to a very defensive heavy game, probably due to the small map sizes and pick-ups that can give you a major edge (especially when combined with explosive characters). While I could see this being very frustrating to players and may make the multiplayer a harsh learning experience at times (as I've witnessed with a few rage-quit disconnects lol), it makes for a very tense skirmishes, especially between players of almost equal skill. I wish I could show you replays of some of my more interesting matches, because I think they would sell the concept much better than what I'm trying to say.
One major downside though is that you almost have to play through the campaign to keep up (if not all of it, then at least until you get almost all of the characters). While the "upgrades" in this game (weapon and boiler unlocks) tend to be horizontal (as in, merely increasing in variety than better), one big exception is the final boiler you unlock after collecting the three gears of every map (I would recommend doing this on your first playthrough of every map); it's basically one of two big end-game rewards (the other being a character I haven't unlocked yet) and it's better than most of the boilers in the game, effectively replacing a few outright. Additionally, it's generally more frustrating to lose when your opponent has access to something you don't (and I think in the case of the "Sentry" sub-weapon that something may be pivotal the game's overall strategy). The game has a decent sized cast with unique abilities and main weapon with quite a large list of sub-weapons, however it's no so much where you won't immediately recognize who you are facing or what gun they just used. There are somewhere like six very different maps, which have been fun adapting my otherwise successful team to. It's far too early to say what options are decidedly best and worst, and I can only hope this game musters a small scene of sorts, like Days of Ruin did.
On another note, I want to also appreciate the game's music, which has already an early contender of my favorite soundtrack of the year. This shouldn't surprise anyone who's been following the game and knows it has the same composer as Intelligence System's Advance War series, Yoshito Hirano. On the battlefield, you usually get two sets of songs, for you and your opponent, and each song is broken down into three "phases" a la Metal Gear Solid where it shifts between these songs based on the current status of battle. Unfortunately, I can't post the whole series of my favorite song, so I'll just link the middle part of it. Although it isn't my favorite, I did manage to find one full series and like most songs in the game, it's very good: 1, 2, and 3 (from "quiet" to "loud"). My perfectionism has led me to listening to these tracks more than most people will, but I've never gotten sick of them (in part thanks to how dynamic it is in action). For those interested, you do unlock a soundtest after clearing the game's campaign (then names for these songs are different than what the youtube videos describe, with my favorites being called Deadly Dance I, II, and III).
cooljeanius
Member
While I love the game, I'd only agree with your statement as far as aesthetics go. When it comes to stuff like usability, though, there are many UI elements that many people seem to miss if they aren't in the habit of clicking on everything like I am...
Mr. Nice_Guy
Member
Great write up OP, but this is pretty much it for me. I just haven't heard from anywhere that it even comes close to these levels, I don't need it to be there, but from what I played in the demo it seemed like a very light version of those. Maybe I'll pick it up someday and be happily proven wrong.
That being said, I would hate for a game that clearly tried very hard to succeed fail because of gamergate nonsense and people being finicky over an art style.
That's the player's fault that they choose not to delve into the game, not the designers.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
I absolutely support new IPs when they appeal to me.
This does not in any capacity.
This does not in any capacity.
The art style and the cute girls, for what I have seen.
Watch Da Birdie
I buy cakes for myself on my birthday it's not weird lots of people do it I bet
Well about that...spoilers for the last character...
The final character in S.T.E.A.M. is a cute girl with a paint-gun more or less.
She's incidentally the only character I don't find interesting from a gameplay perspective, but I'm tempted to say the game would've gotten more interest from a lot of...uh...certain fans...if they showed her off in promotions.
Her and the second-to-last character are oddly still under Embargo, which is odd since they're pretty obvious. I will say the other "secret character" has a great and silly motif that I love IS went with, and his unique ability adds a ton of strategic potential and changes how you play the game.
She's incidentally the only character I don't find interesting from a gameplay perspective, but I'm tempted to say the game would've gotten more interest from a lot of...uh...certain fans...if they showed her off in promotions.
Her and the second-to-last character are oddly still under Embargo, which is odd since they're pretty obvious. I will say the other "secret character" has a great and silly motif that I love IS went with, and his unique ability adds a ton of strategic potential and changes how you play the game.
John Harker
Definitely doesn't make things up as he goes along.
Picked it up. On Ch 2. So far so good! Pretty different premise and interesting mechanics.
Why do people hate the voice actors?
I don't get that part
Why do people hate the voice actors?
I don't get that part
I´m not that far yet in the game but I couldn´t resist reading the spoiler, thanks god its really not a spoiler since it doesn´t really gives away anything of importance, it just made me more excited to keep playing it.
Also, the game is HARD, but not unfair, I love the way the difficulty its balanced and how it lets you change characters and their display to keep you on your toes.
I´m so sad this game might follow up in The Wonderfull 101 footsteps and sell poorly...
Moon_frogger
Member
I hate when someone rejects a game because of art style. I thing Street fighter IV is dog ugly and a slap in the face coming after 3rd strike but it's still one of my favorite fighting games of all time.It gets worse if you think about redoing some of the missions
I've played to chapter 5 and my impression is that this would have been much better with a fast-forward button. The art style also prevented my friends from buying it too which is kind of sad. Also the GameStop employee where I live said they only sold five copies since launch.
I kind of like the removal of the map, makes it more challenging so that's a plus. The characters are just boring paper cuts which I can't feel anything for. Every characters is just there, they may have some unique feature, but for me they all feel like just characters with different stats, like the fodder demons in Disgaea.
All in all, it's a good game for fans of the genre which I am, but I honestly cannot recommend it to casuals who just want to have fun with some strategy.
Jackie Chiles
Banned
Whoa, I didn't know Adam Baldwin was in this. I loved him in Firefly!
Picked my copy up earlier tonight. Got through the first stage before dinner, really dug the general atmosphere. Art style grew on me since the reveal last summer, I was really down on it. Don't have much experience with SRPGs, but I don't want to chance this game going out of print insanely quick like some niche 3DS titles have.
Picked my copy up earlier tonight. Got through the first stage before dinner, really dug the general atmosphere. Art style grew on me since the reveal last summer, I was really down on it. Don't have much experience with SRPGs, but I don't want to chance this game going out of print insanely quick like some niche 3DS titles have.
zero shift
Banned
I'm on board with everyone else. In theory I should want the game for gameplay alone but the name and setting of the game are just painfully bad. It's as if Nintendo deliberately tried to make the game unappealing. The Saturday morning cartoon look to the game just looks silly. While the name is probably the worst name given to a video game that isn't from a shovelware company that I can think of. It doesn't help that the name makes me think of a distribution client as well.
Splatoon was initially received lukewarm. It wasn't until the Treehouse gameplay videos that people started to turn their heads.
Splatoon was initially received lukewarm. It wasn't until the Treehouse gameplay videos that people started to turn their heads.