I’m a real sucker for the French Revolution in games, ever since we got our first look at a head being chopped off in Assassin’s Creed Unity. With Steelrising, we again attempt to take down the tyrannical monarchy by any means necessary, however such means include a mechanical super-soldier, and that sounds very, very cool.
Releasing today on Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and PC (sorry old-gen fans, but this one isn’t for you), Steelrising is set in an alternative revolutionary Paris at the end of the 18th century, where the player assumes control of Aegis, a clockwork humanoid who is decked out to the nines with an assortment of weapons – more than forty different weapons can be found across the game, in fact, split across eight categories.
And it’s a good thing that you have so many weapons at your disposal: this is a Soulslike experience, so expect for Aegis to be ripped apart a number of times before you start to get the hang of things, and cut through the King’s machine army piece by robotic piece. Helpfully, the game includes an Assistance Mode in which different elements of the difficulty can be altered, to form the perfect blend of challenge and badass-ery for you.
Among the spectacular dystopian French locales, there are a number of side quests to make your way through, if you feel like fleshing out the expertly-told and unique story. Traversal across the expansive world is aided by a grappling hook unlocked early on in the game, with further tools being unlocked and opening the world further, in true Metroidvania fashion.
A Soulslike Metroidvania certainly sounds like a lot to put on your plate at once, but we’ve loved every moment of our time with Steelrising before today’s release – just check out our full review.
As for purchases, and on Xbox the Standard Edition will set you back £49.99 via the Xbox Store. For £58.49, the Bastille Edition decks your Aegis out with some cosmetics, some added areas, weapons and enemies to discover, as well as the Cagliostro’s Secrets DLC, planned for release in November. Steelrising is also available on PS5 and PC.
Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité!
Game Description:
The city burns and bleeds as it suffers the madness of King Louis XVI and his violent legions of automatons. Aegis, a mechanical masterpiece created by the engineer Vaucanson to be the queen’s bodyguard, must save the French Revolution in this challenging action-RPG.
