So, from one Steampunk game on the PS2 to another – this time a film tie in to the rather beautiful, but unsatisfying anime film, Steamboy. Now again – this is not a game that I have played, but I’ve tried to read up about it, and the press aren’t saying terribly nice things. The basics – it’s a 3rd person action platformer – which means death defying jumps, and baddies to battle. The good: It’s graphically ok, our main character is the main character from the film, and we’re running around the mechanical depths of a steam powered, Victorian era castle. There seems to be pipe-based minigames, and your main ‘tool’ is a steam venting device which will give you your attack, and your double jump. Also, collecting goodies will let you unlock media related to the film – concept art and stills, etc.

The (apparent) bad: The controls are supposed to be horrible to use – with character inertia and your attack causes you to get thrown backwards – invariably off a high platform. The level design is also purported to be less than top notch.

Personally, I think I’ll be avoiding this one. Which is a shame because everything Steamboy could have done so well. The film, the game – both reeking with potential and let down. Maybe I just wish it had done better. sighs

(Screenshot taken from IGN – here’s their preview and screenshots.)