Gestalt Analysis: Steam and Ashes

At Eurogamer.es (remember, your friend’s page today and always), we always talk about genres. Video games, of course. And while in this and other areas – and especially when it comes to footage – we let everyone determine their own destiny, there are moments when we inevitably have to delve into the cumbersome debates about whether this or that album is “Unicorn Death Metal” or not. The dangers of blurring gender lines are these. For every work that challenges established conventions, there are now many creative efforts that, when they come to light, highlight the fact that not all great ideas survive their implementation with the necessary fortitude. We won’t name names, but I’m sure each of you has a few examples that come to mind.

And if you can’t think of anything, know that Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is one of them.

Developed by Metamorphosis Games and published by Fireshine Games, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is a 2D action game that straddles the line between a Metroidvania with strong doses of adventure game and an adventure game with Metroidvania elements. But before we get into the real mess of figuring out what all of this means, it’s worth a few notes on its story. The Gestalt plot, centered on the city of Canaan, puts us in the shoes of Aletheia, Soldner – a sort of elite mercenary – who will be drawn into a conflict pitting the city’s dominant elite, the Comitium, against the Achaeans, followers of a dark doctrine that wants to awaken the dark forces of the Abyss at any cost. And while Aletheia will logically be a key part of this steampunk drama, not all of the story will be told from her perspective. Palace intrigue, double dealing, and other unexpected twists and turns will unfold thanks to a large cast of characters who will contribute to the story.

Given the plot, it should be noted that the caution with which we approach the gameplay does not extend to the artistic part. Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is a game that undoubtedly wants to win the player’s eyes and ears. Its impeccable pixel art has many aspects in which it shines with its own light: from the detailed settings to the smooth animation of our heroine and the portraits that accompany ordinary conversations, all its manifestations pass the test with distinction. The same can be said for its soundtrack, a vast collection of compositions that move from ambient to epic as easily as they fit the situations for which they were written.

However, the seamless connection that emerges in the visual and audio spheres does not result in an equally compact mechanic. Although its gameplay fundamentals are solid – precise controls, as well as promising combat and movement dynamics – it is during their development that many contradictions begin to emerge. Thus, the fantastic duo that makes up Aletheia’s sword and revolver, which, along with her wide-brimmed hat and her unmistakable posture, is one of many references to Bloodborne, will see us develop it through blood, fire and, of course, experience points in a tree full of abilities, each of which is more unbalanced. The resistance meter will not develop in the same way, which unfortunately will forever limit us to a single dodge move until the bar recharges, while the rest of the mechanics will progress as we progress.

And if this element feels like it’s just there for the occasion, the same goes for the Metroidvania elements we mentioned a few paragraphs ago. This feeling comes from details like its late introduction, the fact that movement skills have little impact on exploration, or that the maps, despite being connected by portals, require little backtracking. In short, these elements are easily identifiable to those familiar with the genre, but they don’t provide any distinctive element in the design of a game whose structure is much more focused on adventure and action than on exploration.

In fact, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder would benefit from being more focused on its one offering. By incoherently mixing Metroidvania and action elements, its great aesthetic successes are diluted by a lack of specificity and important aspects, such as the imbalance of its abilities or the disappointing ending of some others. It’s hard to know who the target audience is, but those who prefer a meticulous pixel art aesthetic and an offering that focuses on slightly lighter action may find what they’re looking for in Gestalt: Steam & Cinder. Meanwhile, Metroidvania purists will have to keep exploring.