A unique physics-based platformer with a stellar 40s setting and atmosphere, let down by its lackluster combat and flat storytelling. Recommended if you enjoy the game's visual appeal as much as I did.

the levels in Steel Rats are simply fun to drive around in. The buzzsaws have a really visceral sound and feel as you tear through pipes and jump from wall to wall. The game's setpieces and stages are pretty varied in the challenges they offer. The bikes could be considered 'floaty' at first, but start to feel natural within the first hour of play. the puzzle elements progress well, the difficulty curve is just about right (save for one section on the Rooftops level), and the majority of the platforming gets a pass.

Sadly, I think the game's combat aspects fall flat, and is the main reason I can't recommend the game for most. A lot of the visual and visceral polish that you'd expect from a combat-focused game just isn't there, in contrast to the great feedback that driving around gives you. Ripping through an enemy with a buzzsaw on a motorbike should be the coolest thing ever, but... 50 seconds into the Launch Trailer? That's exactly how it is for the entire game, and I'm surprised the developers saw no issue with it.

The enemies have great visual designs, but all of the larger enemies (other than Screamers) are a slog to deal with, and the bosses and minibosses are the most unenjoyable parts of the game. The four characters' special abilities don't have any standout differences, synergies or interactions with said enemies, largely due to the lack of feedback from using them. The gun pickups in the game's various levels also lack anything interesting about them, but they're the easiest way to take out most smaller enemies in your path. They feel more like a 'quick-fix' for the combat than anything else, but they do succeed at making the combat more passable.

The world design is fantastic, the cutscenes really well-drawn, but its story doesn't do it much justice. From the antagonists to the main characters to the stakes in play, everything is so cliche and surface-level that it feels like wasted potential. The timeline and events are there, and the level structure does a good job of conveying this, but nothing meaningful ever comes from it, and none of the questions I had were answered by the end. Luckily it's still enjoyable enough to breeze through.

Graphically impressive, particularly for its price, and some of the better sound design I've encountered (despite the issues mentioned above). No slowdowns experienced on a GTX 770. 6-8 hour campaign. No gamepad remapping - L3 and R3 buttons are required. No major glitches, but a handful of minor ones (some wonky physics moments and rare soft-locks) at the time of playing. All in all, a game I really wanted to love.

Game cleared with all secret collectibles obtained. Game key received via a promotional raffle.

A unique physics-based platformer with a stellar 40s setting and atmosphere, let down by its lackluster combat and flat storytelling. Recommended if you enjoy the game's visual appeal as much as I did. the levels in Steel Rats are simply fun to drive around in. The buzzsaws have a really visceral sound and feel as you tear through pipes and jump from wall to wall. The game's setpieces and stages are pretty varied in the challenges they offer. The bikes could be considered 'floaty' at first, but start to feel natural within the first hour of play. the puzzle elements progress well, the difficulty curve is just about right (save for one section on the Rooftops level), and the majority of the platforming gets a pass. Sadly, I think the game's combat aspects fall flat, and is the main reason I can't recommend the game for most. A lot of the visual and visceral polish that you'd expect from a combat-focused game just isn't there, in contrast to the great feedback that driving around gives you. Ripping through an enemy with a [i]buzzsaw on a motorbike[/i] should be the coolest thing ever, but... 50 seconds into the Launch Trailer? That's exactly how it is for the entire game, and I'm surprised the developers saw no issue with it. The enemies have great visual designs, but all of the larger enemies (other than Screamers) are a slog to deal with, and the bosses and minibosses are the most unenjoyable parts of the game. The four characters' special abilities don't have any standout differences, synergies or interactions with said enemies, largely due to the lack of feedback from using them. The gun pickups in the game's various levels also lack anything interesting about them, but they're the easiest way to take out most smaller enemies in your path. They feel more like a 'quick-fix' for the combat than anything else, but they do succeed at making the combat more passable. The world design is fantastic, the cutscenes really well-drawn, but its story doesn't do it much justice. From the antagonists to the main characters to the stakes in play, everything is so cliche and surface-level that it feels like wasted potential. The timeline and events are there, and the level structure does a good job of conveying this, but nothing meaningful ever comes from it, and none of the questions I had were answered by the end. Luckily it's still enjoyable enough to breeze through. Graphically impressive, particularly for its price, and some of the better sound design I've encountered (despite the issues mentioned above). No slowdowns experienced on a GTX 770. 6-8 hour campaign. No gamepad remapping - L3 and R3 buttons are required. No major glitches, but a handful of minor ones (some wonky physics moments and rare soft-locks) at the time of playing. All in all, a game I really wanted to love. Game cleared with all secret collectibles obtained. Game key received via a promotional raffle.