Developer – Storm in a Teacup

Publisher – ESDigital Games

Platforms –   Nintendo Switch , PS5, Xbox Series S|X,PC (Reviewed)

Review copy given by Publisher

Most people recognize Storm in a Teacup for their work on N.E.R.O. and Close to the Sun, two titles that stood out thanks to their strong emphasis on storytelling. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for weaving emotional narratives into their games, and in that respect, Steel Seed continues the tradition. The story here is compelling and thoughtfully crafted, showing that the studio hasn’t lost its touch when it comes to narrative depth.

However, Steel Seed isn’t the kind of complete experience you might expect if you’ve followed their previous work. While the storytelling remains a clear strength, it feels like almost everything else that made their past titles memorable has been left behind. The game struggles in areas where Storm in a Teacup used to shine—whether it’s in gameplay design, pacing, or atmosphere—and as a result, it feels like an unbalanced effort. In focusing so heavily on delivering a great story, it seems they forgot to give equal care to the other critical pieces that make a game truly resonate.

Set in a bleak and mesmerizing sci-fi future, Steel Seed invites players into a crumbling world where humanity teeters on the edge of extinction. You step into the role of Zoe, a determined and resourceful protagonist, accompanied by her loyal flying drone companion, KOBY. Together, they must navigate the twisted depths of a hostile underground facility, seeking not just answers, but a way to ensure humanity’s survival.

Long after a devastating cataclysm poisoned the surface of Earth beyond repair, machines rose to dominance, assuming control over the last embers of human civilization. Deep beneath the ruined wastelands, an enormous underground complex was constructed — not to shelter mankind, but to serve the cold, mechanical future the machines envisioned. This facility is a labyrinth of towering metal corridors, decaying biodomes, and strange industrial cathedrals, each area steeped in environmental storytelling. The deeper Zoe ventures, the more she uncovers the chilling remnants of humanity’s past and the dark secrets hidden by its would-be saviors.

Steel Seed’s world is a masterpiece of oppressive atmosphere, where every shadow could conceal a new threat, and every corner might hold a vital clue. From hazardous landscapes crackling with malfunctioning energy to eerily quiet maintenance halls swallowed by nature, each region is painstakingly designed to feel alive — and hostile. Players will face a dynamic array of enemies, environmental hazards, and complex challenges, all while piecing together a narrative that questions what it truly means to be human in a world built for machines.

Although Zoe is tough and determined, she is not alone. Her only true companion is KOBY, a prototype drone originally engineered for simple utility tasks. What begins as a relationship of necessity soon evolves into something deeper. Despite KOBY’s limited communication — relying on beeps, flashing lights, and subtle movements — it becomes an essential emotional anchor for Zoe. As they traverse the hostile facility, their bond strengthens, adding emotional weight to every encounter and decision.

KOBY isn’t just along for the ride; it’s an active participant in Zoe’s survival. Players will rely on KOBY’s abilities to unlock doors, manipulate the environment, distract enemies, and solve intricate puzzles. In combat scenarios, KOBY’s quick thinking and upgrades can tip the odds in Zoe’s favor, offering tactical support and opening new strategies for survival. Their synergy is key, and learning how to blend Zoe’s agility and combat prowess with KOBY’s versatility will be essential to overcome the increasingly deadly threats lurking within the facility.

Despite its powerful narrative core, Steel Seed struggles to deliver a truly complete package. The game’s uneven pacing often saps momentum from critical story beats, creating stretches that feel either overly drawn out or frustratingly abrupt. Exploration, while initially intriguing, becomes repetitive as level layouts and enemy encounters start to blur together. The environmental design, though visually striking in moments, lacks the consistent tension and variety needed to maintain the oppressive atmosphere the story demands. As a result, the sense of danger and urgency that should fuel Zoe’s journey gradually fades, leaving players more detached than invested as the hours wear on.

Gameplay design further weighs down the experience, with mechanics that feel serviceable but rarely inspired. Combat lacks the depth or excitement needed to match the stakes of the narrative, and many of the environmental puzzles, while clever in concept, repeat themselves too often without meaningful escalation. Even KOBY, as endearing as the companion is narratively, sometimes feels underutilized in gameplay outside of specific scripted sequences. Storm in a Teacup clearly poured their heart into Steel Seed’s story, but by neglecting the equally vital pillars of pacing, gameplay engagement, and atmospheric immersion, the game ultimately delivers an emotional journey that resonates — but doesn’t fully satisfy me.