Metal Bringer: Mechs, Mayhem, and Middle Mouse Button Madness

When your mech’s legs are more useful than your own

Launch Day Larry

Welcome to the world of “Metal Bringer,” where the only thing more customizable than your mech is your frustration with the control scheme. This roguelite action RPG invites you to dive into a universe of mech combat, customization, and a story that might just make you wish for a bit more voice acting. Let’s break down what makes this game tick, and what might make you ticked off.

Gameplay: Mech Customization and Combat Chaos

“Metal Bringer” delivers a dynamic gameplay experience that blends roguelite mechanics with action RPG elements, focusing heavily on mech combat and customization. The game shines in its ability to let players tailor their builds and strategies, offering a smorgasbord of weapons and mech parts to collect and permanently unlock at garages. This feature is a dream for those who love to tinker, providing a high degree of personalization.

The combat is engaging, with players facing hordes of enemies and the unique ability to continue fighting even when a mech is destroyed. You can use the pilot’s guns and the mech’s legs to boost or ram enemies, adding a strategic layer to the gameplay. However, the control scheme might have you questioning your life choices, with jump mapped to the middle mouse button and an inability to rebind controls. It’s a bit like trying to play a piano with oven mitts—possible, but not ideal.

While the game starts slowly, it picks up pace, balancing mech power with pilot vulnerability. The roguelite elements ensure that dying isn’t overly punishing, encouraging experimentation and learning from each run. However, the game does feel like a console port, with suboptimal mouse and keyboard inputs that might have you reaching for a gamepad faster than you can say “awkward keybindings.”

Graphics: A Pixelated Punch to the Eyes

Visually, “Metal Bringer” is a feast for the eyes—or a migraine, depending on your tolerance for pixelation. The game employs a pixelation filter that some players find charmingly retro, while others might describe it as “visually sickening.” This faux pixel perfect look, with chunky outlines and dithering, evokes a nostalgic feel reminiscent of early 2000s Japanese video games.

Customization plays a crucial role in the game’s visual appeal, allowing players to design characters and mechs with vibrant colors and unique styles. The detailed 3D mecha models, inspired by a fusion of organic and mechanical elements, are particularly commended for their futuristic and sci-fantasy themes. However, the pixelation effect can cause visual clutter, making it hard to see what’s going on during intense gameplay moments.

Performance-wise, the game runs well on the Steam Deck, though crowded combat situations can lead to drops. Text readability is another issue, with small pixel fonts posing a challenge on certain devices. Despite these hurdles, the graphics are a standout feature, with the art direction and mech designs receiving particular acclaim.

Story: A Text-Heavy Tale of AI and Underground Humanity

The narrative of “Metal Bringer” unfolds through text, which, while effective in conveying the plot, might interrupt the flow of gameplay for those who prefer their stories with a side of voice acting. Set in a world where AI has taken over, forcing humanity to live underground, the story is gradually revealed as players progress. The protagonist controls a robot footsoldier, or “Labor,” which pilots combat mechs known as “Arms.”

While the story isn’t groundbreaking, it integrates well with the gameplay, offering a rich backdrop to the player’s journey. Customization is deeply woven into the narrative, enhancing the player’s connection to the story. However, the lack of voice acting and the text-heavy delivery might not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer a more immersive storytelling experience.

Final Verdict

“Metal Bringer” is a fun, short roguelike experience that excels in mech customization and hack-and-slash gameplay. While it has areas that could benefit from better explanations and UI improvements, it provides a compelling experience for fans of mech combat and action RPGs. The control scheme might have you scratching your head, and the pixelation effect could be a love-it-or-hate-it affair, but the game’s strengths in customization and combat make it worth a try.

Score: 7.8/10