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Looking out in the window to a living landscape
A lot of care went into crafting the world of Steambot Chronicles. There are four segments of each day, and everyone has their own schedule for each time. Some stores close up and the trains stop running at night, while people walking around town during the day might take in an arena battle or get a few drinks at the local bar. A bustling city that can be admired from out the window of your local inn, even while busy discussing matters of vital importance with your new band mates, where you get to choose nearly every response Vanilla ever makes. Will you play him as the noble hero, or demand payment any time anyone asks him to stick his neck out? One of my favorite things to do was snapping off a sharp military salute whenever I was introduced to someone, who would in turn treat you like you came from another planet. These actions don't have a huge effect on the story, but they add a personal flavor that's lacking from most RPGs. You can also dress however you want with what clothes you find or buy from shops, from a down home cowboy to a slick white-suited moonwalker. Both clothes and actions effect what people will start calling you as your fame begins to spread, everything from a Gigantic Boss to a Half-Naked Poseidon. Then rent a room, decorate it how you want, and call over Connie for a little female companionship.
The story is delightfully low-key, following the troubles of the Garland Globetrotters against various trot-riding criminals and the mystery of Vanilla's shipwreck, with things only really switching into high with the massive battle near the end. The downside is someone sticking to the plot could finish it off in under fifteen hours, and even with multiple endings and playable epilogues, it still ends up feeling as if it ends only just as it was getting started. On the up side, the game is packed with side quests and other optional activities that'll take at least forty hours to wrap up. These side-quests tend to focus more on the personality of the people involved so you want to help them, instead of enduring the task for the reward involved. One of the first minor characters you can meet is a mill owner, who will offer you a arm part for your trot free of charge, so when I found out he was having troubles later on, I was eager to give him a helping hand. Yet these actions have consequences, and not always what you think. You might start off with the best of intentions, but sometimes the people would have been better off if you had left well enough alone. They're usually not meant to be finished in one go either, but gradually while exploring the world around you, finding small pieces of the puzzle as you progress through this leisurely adventure.
How to afford all those wonderful toys
Money makes the world of Steambot Chronicles go round, so it's a good thing there's so many ways to earn it. Aside from beating up bandits and sidewalk performances, you can haul goods for high profits, be a bus driver for people who can't brave the bandits on their own, excavate ancient artifacts to sell to the museum, play the stock market where your actions can effect the value of each company, explore ancient dungeons, put a wager on the latest arena battle, or even play billiards for high stakes. Even though it wasn't very profitable, I enjoyed the bus driver aspect because nearly every fare had their own story, even if it was just visiting a friend or doing to the mines with the hope of getting rich. While one of the more disappointing aspects were the game's three dungeons, which were too small, too plain, and had most of their treasure chests full of moldy bread. Like every other game type, billiards has been fully fleshed out with detailed play mechanics and over a dozen opponents, each with their own play styles and skill levels. Though one of the things I liked most about it was seeing the locale of the game in the background, with people drinking and chatting as part of this lively world. Making it more than just a game.
Incredibly unique and immersive, Steambot Chronicles is a rarity in an environment where RPGs often have double digit numbers after their names: because it plays like nothing that has come before it, and takes the idea of a non-linear experience with a huge helping of personality. The only real detractors are the inescapable slowdown, the poor dungeons, and the way it leaves you wanting more. It's not easy to get into, but it's an experience I won't soon forget. |
