AAA studios have kind of given up on motion video games that concentrate on type, spectacle, and deep fight programs. Fortunately, smaller studios are selecting up the slack, and Morbid Steel from SCREEN JUICE is precisely the type of experimental title I need to see extra of.
I had an opportunity to play the early entry construct of Morbid Steel, and there’s a lot to love right here, with some room for enchancment.
Model Switching? Character Switching!
Morbid Steel is a roguelite hack-and-slash sport with a construction much like one thing like Hades. You progress by fight rooms, acquire rewards and upgrades throughout a run, and earn foreign money to unlock everlasting upgrades for future runs. It’s a tried and examined system, however Morbid Steel wouldn’t stand out as a powerful motion sport if every part got here all the way down to RNG and meta development.
The bottom package of every character has sufficient depth that the roguelite bonuses merely improve an already partaking fight system. The actual hook, although, is the power to modify between characters on the fly. This works throughout fight, traversal, within the air, on the bottom, just about anytime. Having the ability to swap freely means every character brings one thing distinctive to the desk, permitting you to increase combos in inventive methods.
For example, Ekku has a launcher, whereas Flux can blink towards enemies. You’ll be able to launch an enemy, swap to Flux, blink in, land just a few hits, or use a particular, then swap again to Ekku for a downward thrust assault. That is only a primary instance of what’s potential. It’s this seamless switching that basically sells all the expertise.
You’ll be able to stick to at least one character, and you’ll in all probability deal extra injury with a targeted construct, however mixing and matching is the place the true enjoyable lies and the place the fashionable fight actually shines.
Traversal is quick since there isn’t a stamina bar, and the mobility choices really feel glorious. I like which you can zip by a biome in just some minutes in case you are expert sufficient. That mentioned, I’d respect a mini map, because the environments can really feel a bit samey, making it tougher to inform which room results in upgrades. One thing much like Returnal’s HUD map would enhance navigation.
It’s additionally pretty easy when it comes to controls. There are not any directional assaults, complicated inputs, or something intimidating on a mechanical stage.
Model Meets Some Friction
There are just a few fight quirks that I’m not absolutely offered on but. In lots of motion video games like Satan Might Cry and Bayonetta, enemies can not assault from off-screen. This permits builders to design extra harmful enemies with out making encounters really feel unfair. Morbid Steel doesn’t really feel unfair total, however some enemies use projectiles, and coping with them off-screen might be irritating even when there may be an incoming injury indicator. It jogs my memory of the newer God of Battle titles, the place enemies stay in an assault state even outdoors your view, which I’m not significantly keen on.
One other facet that would use enchancment is the cooldown system for specials. Most motion video games don’t depend on cooldowns for traditional talents, reserving them for stronger or final assaults. Right here, having cooldowns on specials can restrict your skill to chain fashionable combos, as you might be continually managing timers. On the flip aspect, enemy assault telegraphs for excellent dodges really feel a bit too beneficiant, and I feel tightening these home windows barely might make fight extra rewarding.
That mentioned, these are all areas that may be refined throughout early entry. Even with these considerations, Morbid Steel is shaping as much as be a strong motion sport that’s straightforward to choose up, gives loads of combo potential, and options characters which might be genuinely enjoyable to play.
Morbid Steel launches in early entry on April 8, 2026. You’ll be able to add it to your wishlist now on Steam.
