Gestalt: Steam and Cinder has been on my Steam wishlist for ages, and newcomers Metamorphosis Games are at the forefront of launches this month with its debut title.
You’ve likely noticed we’re experiencing a renaissance of Metroidvania titles. I’ve played more within the genre this year than any other, yet I’m open to experiencing more of them.
Gestalt: Steam and Cinder is filled with exposition
In Gestalt: Steam and Cinder, players assume the role of Aletheia, a bounty hunter. She maintains a somewhat amicable relationship with those running Canaan, a post-apocalyptic city. The world has recovered from the Calamity, which set the world on fire and reigned chaos among the inhabitants. The world attempts to move forward after the Gate to the Abyss opens, but peace seems tenuous, hinting at an impending end. Over the years, Canaan officials sought help from Soldners, those willing to put their lives on the line. Still, it turns out that she has consistently chosen to pursue her path, embodying a self-reliant protagonist. The story begins as Aletheia heads down to search for a scientist working on the Tether, a machine which once powered rare power armour that vanished.
I won’t try to persuade you that combat is anything other than good; I found it fun. I felt earlier sections were more challenging than the latter stages because of the lack of upgrades and skills acquired throughout the campaign. Bosses are where I think I had the most trouble because they’re deviously crafted to test your patience in surviving the assault each time. Aletheia’s weapons include a sword and a ranged weapon with only one bullet, which you unlock using melee attacks to build the meter.
As Aletheia, the player unlocks new abilities throughout her journey. Gestalt features a standardized ability tree, with upgrades to health, gun, and melee damage, as well as various powerful blade attacks and the ability for her energy-powered rifle to fire more shots.
An engaging world to explore
Additionally, crucial new abilities are earned through defeating bosses, including the favourites like a double jump and air dash. The new skills provide access to previously inaccessible map areas, allowing Aletheia to collect documents filled with elusive treasure locations.
The exploration is comprehensive, but the map has some shortcomings. Due to their clear layout, the maps in games like Metroid and Castlevania are the gold standard. Gestalt’s map includes padding between blocks and lines connecting exits to entrances, and sometimes confusing rooms overlay one another. This complicates the process of navigating the map. You can backtrack if needed, and you’ll likely need to get to some of the new areas—it’s a decent romp through an engaging world.
Gestalt has a rich backstory with many specific names and places, but it’s not overwhelming with complicated data ils. The main plot is intentionally kept mysterious, focusing on the drama surrounding Aletheia and her situation. The rest of the story is spent adding central characters to the plot and gets a bit more insane as the story presses forward. The story lasts seven to ten hours, and by the end, you’ll have learned enough to feel comfortable with the world and its languages.
Verdict
Gestalt: Steam and Cinder is fun, engaging, and brimming with intricate details. It is a relatively short runtime but exhibits a strong passion for the genre. The developers have invested a lot of effort in creating an engaging world and story crammed into the seven-hour playthrough. Despite minor issues I had with it, Gestalt provides an enjoyable experience filled with beautifully animated visuals paired with some great animations.
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: PC
