[Analysis] Steel Seed: A Diamond in the Rough for Lovers of Stealth and Platforming

I don't tend to get carried away by trailers or studio promises when it comes to stealth games. There are already too many and most of them are so similar to each other that the genre becomes too repetitive and even generic. Steel Seed, the new title from Storm in a Teacup, came into my hands with that mix of hype and skepticism that only fans of the genre will understand. After several hours of jumping, running away, and some getting angry, it's clear to me that this game is full of good ideas, brilliant moments, and decisions that, honestly, don't always work.

Steel Seed is presented as a third-person action and stealth adventure, set in a future where humanity has been practically eradicated and robots dominate an underground world that is as oppressive as it is fascinating. You play Zoe, a protagonist who wakes up converted into a cyborg and who, without time to assimilate her new condition, finds herself involved in the mission of restoring humanity digitized by her own father. The premise sounds powerful (although it's not something we haven't seen before), but the story, although loaded with lore, never quite takes off. There is a plot twist that you can see coming for miles and, in general, the narrative advances more by inertia than by real interest. Honestly, the motivation to keep moving forward is usually more the level design and gameplay than the desire to find out what's going on with Zoe or her father.

Where Steel Seed shines is in its visuals and setting. The first impact is undeniable: the industrial settings, colossal structures and lighting create an atmosphere that immerses you in that robotic dystopia. There are times where I've stood still just to admire the artwork, especially in areas where the game goes to the trouble of showing you the world from cinematic angles. These moments are, without a doubt, the best thing about the game and they make the experience feel much bigger than it really is.

The gameplay is a mix of stealth, platforming and action, but this is where the nuances begin. Stealth is the core of the experience, and it shows that the studio has put care into this aspect. The mechanics are reminiscent of the greats of the genre: patrols with predictable routes, cover, gadgets to distract and areas of holographic grass where you can completely camouflage yourself. The KOBY drone, your inseparable companion, adds an interesting tactical layer, allowing you to activate distant buttons or deploy temporary cover. The stealth is satisfactory and, apart from the occasional AI slip-up, works well. It's especially fun to plan routes, mark enemies, and execute silent assassinations without anyone noticing your presence. Sometimes it reminded me of old times, playing Splinter Cell on my GameCube.

Now, if you decide to get into a fight, prepare for frustration. The combat is, quite simply, the worst thing about the game. Zoe only has one light attack and one strong attack, without the possibility of blocking or chaining together interesting combos. The only real defense is dodging, and although a good “perfect dodge” allows you to counterattack, the feeling is that the system is too basic and punitive. Two or three enemy hits are enough to send you to the last checkpoint, and the lack of variety in weapons or movements makes each confrontation become repetitive and, at times, unfair. More than once I opted to reload the checkpoint rather than face a room full of enemies, because combat experience doesn't reward risk.

The level design, on the other hand, is one of the great virtues of Steel Seed. The game is not completely linear, but it is not open world either. The scenarios are full of alternative routes, platforms, parkour areas and secrets for those who enjoy exploring every corner. It reminded me of those old 3D platforms where every jump and every run had its trick. There are sections where the perspective switches to 2D during chases, adding variety and tension. It is in these moments where the game feels most dynamic and fun, and where it really takes advantage of its industrial and vertical setting.

The skill tree adds some depth, although it doesn't revolutionize the genre either. You earn “Glitch” by completing challenges and eliminating enemies in various ways, allowing you to unlock upgrades for Zoe and KOBY. Some abilities, such as attacking while running or expanding the drone's arsenal, should be available much sooner, because they radically change the way you approach encounters. However, the progression system feels a bit rigid, as you need to meet specific requirements to unlock each upgrade, which can be tedious if you don't like repeating play patterns.

The relationship between Zoe and KOBY is nice, although not memorable. There is dialogue and jokes that alleviate the tension, but sometimes the pacing is weighed down by non-skippable “slow walking” sequences after action scenes, something I will never understand why it still exists in the middle of 2025. This is not exactly a complaint, because I do enjoy a slow pace, but I know well that it is not the standard lately, and the option to skip scenes should always be there, it costs nothing to add it. The dubbing complies, but there are no really emotional moments or scenes that stick in your mind.

The sound section accompanies it well, with effects and ambient music that reinforce the feeling of loneliness and constant danger, although don't expect memorable melodies. The variety of enemies is another weak point: although the robots and mechas are imposing at first, you soon realize that the patterns are repeated and the AI, although decent, is not surprising after several hours.

It is also not a game for those looking for plot depth or a world full of secondary content. Here the story is a mere thread, and although there are collectibles and the occasional secret, the focus is clearly on stealth and exploration. The duration is around 10-12 hours if you dedicate yourself to looking for all the extras, but the main campaign can be aired in much less if you get to the point.

Would I recommend Steel Seed? It depends on what you are looking for. If you are a fan of stealth and enjoy platforms with powerful settings, here is a title that, despite its flaws, manages to offer very enjoyable moments. The combat, narrative, and certain technical issues hamper the whole, but there is enough quality in the level design and atmosphere to justify a playthrough. Of course, if direct action is your thing or you are looking for a story that captivates you from beginning to end, Steel Seed will probably leave you cold.

Personally, I am left with the feeling of having played a title made with passion, but that needs to be polished much more to reach the level of the greats of the genre. It is a game that, with more variety in combat and a more worked script, could have been much more. For now, it is a recommended curiosity for those who know how to enjoy the virtues and forgive the defects of imperfect but soulful games.