I always smile when a game published by Ratalaika Games S.L. lands on my mat. They have bought many obscure yet interesting titles to the indie scene that I wouldn’t have had a second glance at when there are so many games landing week after week. Steel Defier is the latest one to arrive on the scene which is now available and has been developed by Viridino Studios. This game instantly reminded me of another recent entry known as Disc Room, if you haven’t played it then I urge you to go and check it out on Xbox Game Pass. Steel Defier has a very similar premise in the way it handles and plays and for the low sum of £3.99 on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, you can’t really go wrong.

Gameplay

Steel Defier is simple on paper but perhaps not with the controller in your hands depending on your abilities. After your escape from prison, you’ll dive into a maze of rooms on the spaceship which are filled with obstacles, hazards and traps that can instantly kill. You are required to overcome these and collect 15 cards from each room to proceed to the next and can choose your path throughout. The layout reminded me of games like The Binding Of Isaac or Enter The Gungeon where it is up to you which direction to head in.

Along the way, you’ll get access to suit upgrades which will give you boosts in different ways, such as being able to dash around the room faster. But you must be thoughtful in your movement and pacing since you’ll need to jump to overcome some obstacles. I found that on death, it wasn’t particularly punishing and just restarted you in the room you were occupying, rather than setting you back to the beginning. I didn’t mind this, but some who may want more of a challenge may have liked it to have been perhaps a little harder.

Graphics & Audio

Steel Defier is a very basic-looking game with low poxy models and pixel art visuals, but this doesn’t detract it from being a good experience. I think the aesthetics suit the style of the game and there is enough variance from room to room to present a different feel in each. It keeps the game feeling spontaneous and fresh even if you wanted to play through several times. The synth wave soundtrack pumping out as you played bought some feel of adrenaline as I attempted to perfect everything and blend well with the visuals

In Conclusion

Steel Defier has an addictive and moreish gameplay loop that will keep you determined and focused on battling through to the end. The game is mechanically sound and I had fantastic fun playing but sadly the fun is over in a flash. For a game that costs less than a pint of lager in the pub, the lack of depth and content is reflected in the low price point. Don’t get me wrong, what is on offer here is really enjoyable, I just wish there was more of it for a little more longevity. Sadly once you’ve worked through the game there is little reason to go back since it is one of those titles with an easy 1000 gamerscore in a short space of time. If you’re looking for something to blast for an hour or two though with easy achievements, then it is worth your time.