Steel Seed: The Dystopian Adventure That Will Challenge Your Humanity

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In the realm of independent game creation, not many studios tackle the task of combining immersive storytelling, stealth-based gameplay, and profound philosophical ideas quite like Storm in a Teacup. Their latest venture, Steel Seed, which is distributed by ESDigital Games, invites gamers into a bleak sci-fi universe where human existence teeters on the edge. This title boasts a captivating storyline, intriguing exploration mechanics, and an AI sidekick influencing the player’s adventure. Steel Seed aspires to establish its unique identity within the stealth-action genre.

In a chat with Game Rant, Ilia Svanidze, the brand manager at ESDigital Games, shared details about what players can anticipate when Steel Seed is released. During this conversation, Svanidze discussed various aspects of the game, including its storyline, gameplay mechanics, environment design, duration, and numerous other features. (The transcript has been condensed for conciseness and clarity.)

Steel Seed Is a Stealth-Action Sci-Fi Adventure

Sure! Could you provide a brief overview of Steel Seed, focusing on the narrative and gameplay elements that players might encounter?

Steel Seed: On the Verge

Steel Seed is an undercover action-adventure game set in a grim sci-fi landscape where humanity hangs by a thread. After a devastating occurrence, machines have taken over the survival of mankind, and they’ve built an underground facility. The central question becomes “At what price? And how will they use the human population?” Players will delve into a meticulously crafted world brimming with strategic combat, intimidating adversaries, and an engrossing narrative that provokes thoughts on the essence of humanity.

In our narrative, the protagonist, Zoe, isn’t your typical superhero. Instead, she embodies a survivor navigating her world. Waking up in a robotic form with no recollection of how she ended up there, Zoe finds herself abandoned in a menacing AI-controlled facility. Her odyssey is marked by survival, self-exploration, and primarily, the search for her father. The development team and writers of this project aim to portray the intricate blend of humanity and artificial intelligence, offering players an insight into the mental and philosophical dilemmas faced by a person confined in a mechanical body. This tale draws inspiration from timeless sci-fi films such as Blade Runner, RoboCop, and Terminator. Thus, Zoe’s journey represents both an emotional and physical metamorphosis that players will find relatable as they advance in the game, ultimately posing the intriguing question “What truly defines being human?

In her travels, Zoe isn’t venturing on her own; instead, she’s accompanied by KOBY, a cutting-edge drone engineered to aid her. At first, KOBY was merely a tool, but as time went on, it transformed into something more – a friend and a source of emotional support for Zoe. It scans its environment, locates hidden paths, interacts with various elements, and even helps solve puzzles by activating switches and mechanisms. This partnership is characterized by camaraderie and trust, highlighting the bond between human intuition and artificial intelligence.

The setting for Steel Seed is an expansive, mechanized environment tailored more for machines than people, divided into distinct zones. Each zone offers unique obstacles, atmospheric storytelling, and dangers, ranging from colossal industrial landscapes to diverse ecosystems. Essentially, the realm of Steel Seed blends advanced technology with an engrossing experience. It is essential to note that it’s not an open-world game with various NPCs and checkpoints scattered on a map. Instead, it follows a linear narrative, boasting vast locations interconnected to the main storyline. Later in the game, you can revisit certain levels to complete optional missions, although side quests are relatively limited. We opted for a smaller world to avoid having players spend excessive hours playing due to health concerns.

Steel Seed provides an exceptional mix of stealth, parkour, and combative gameplay, enabling players to tailor their strategies based on various scenarios. For instance, if one wishes to sidestep a confrontation with adversaries, utilize shadows and the surroundings to evade enemies and strike them from behind unawares. Conversely, if you prefer to engage in head-on combat with your foes, feel free to do so. Few games can boast such versatility because most tend to fall into either the action or soulslike genres.

In this game, you’ll encounter multiple types of adversaries and formidable bosses, each with distinct abilities and behaviors. Your approach to conquering each level is entirely up to you, as the developers aim to provide a non-pressuring gaming experience. The game offers three unique skill trees: two for Zoe and one for KOBY, granting a total of 40 skills to unlock. For instance, if you master the skill to take over enemies’ minds, you can use it both pre-battle and during combat, turning them into valuable allies.

A: Instead of asking about KOBY directly, could we discuss the development of KOBY’s character as it unfolds in the story? Given that Zoe’s tale provides a fairly obvious context, I am curious to know how KOBY changes or grows throughout the narrative.

The robot companion won’t resemble a soulless automaton for Zoe, but rather serve as an emotional support system throughout the story. Their relationship will develop and be evident both at the end and at certain points in between. There are some surprises involving KOBY as well, but I can’t reveal those just yet. Initially, you’ll find him as a small robot who attempts to rouse Zoe from her slumber, and following that, she interacts with him. He communicates through beeps, but Zoe comprehends his messages. They engage in brief conversations throughout the narrative, during which he provides insights about the world and himself. Additionally, some plot twists will revolve around his true identity and reasons for working with Zoe. However, I can’t disclose any further details at this time.

A: It appears that Martin Korda, a writer for Destiny, is also involved with Steel Seed. Could there possibly be an impact on the storyline due to the connection between the Ghost and Guardian in Destiny?

A: Ha ha ha. No. No. But yes, he worked on the project.

Steel Seed Wants You to Play Your Way

A: In your discussion, it was mentioned that the game doesn’t intend to push players into a particular playstyle, be it stealth or open combat. Could you share some insights on how the game ensures that players have the freedom to approach any situation using their preferred method in every instance?

In our game, there’s a spacious play area resembling a sandbox, offering more freedom for the player. You won’t encounter scenarios where multiple enemies are right next to you, leaving you with only one choice: to eliminate them, as there’s no other viable option like moving elsewhere or performing alternative actions. We’re not trying to manipulate or coerce players; we simply want to provide an engaging environment without limiting choices unnecessarily.

In this setting, you could find yourself in an area with a single tower, a group of five or six adversaries. Some are weaker, simple robots, while others might be a Stalker armed with two large knives who can scan the surroundings, or a big Brute – a muscular guy. You have the option to eliminate them all or attempt to sneak past without causing harm. KOBY, your companion, can scan the area and detect enemies, allowing you to locate their positions.

Carlo Ivo Alimo Bianchi, the founder of Storm in a Teacup and game director for Steel Seed, has experience working on games like the Hitman series, making him well-versed in stealth gameplay and how to effectively incorporate it into game design.

Q: Can you tell us more about the three skill trees?

To start with, you’ll earn Experience Points (XP) in battles and afterwards. You have at your disposal three skill trees, two for your main character and one for your companion. Some of these skills serve as additional perks, while others are primary ones that you must select. As you progress and gain XP levels, you won’t be able to distribute all the points across all three trees. By finishing every mission in the game, you still won’t be able to unlock everything. Consequently, you’ll need to carefully choose which abilities you decide to activate.

Certain abilities are passive in nature and provide additional benefits during combat, such as boosting your attack power. Another ability enables KOBY to utilize his weapon more frequently during battles. Additionally, some skills expand the range of your scanner when exploring the environment. Essentially, different skills cater to distinct playstyles; some will be essential for specific gameplay approaches, while others may be considered less crucial based on your preferred method of play. The choice is ultimately yours.

A: Could there be a nonviolent gameplay option that avoids killing characters altogether, aside from perhaps certain crucial story moments?

A: Yes, yes.

As a gaming enthusiast who has been diving deep into the “soulslike” genre lately, I must admit that I’m craving for something fresh and different. So, could you tell me about the challenge level in Steel Seed? How does it compare to these hardcore games I’ve been playing?

Setting the game difficulty is straightforward: We offer three levels: easy, medium, and hard. There’s a nice blend among them, allowing you to tailor your gaming experience according to your preference. If you’re interested in the storyline, opt for the easy setting. For tougher battles, go with medium or hard. Contrary to games like Soulslike, this one doesn’t follow a single difficulty level where bosses get progressively harder with unique behaviors, HP, and other features.

A: If you opt for tougher challenges, what changes can we expect in combat? Will the enemies simply have more health, or are there also fresh mechanics that will be added to make things more challenging?

The game isn’t just focused on Health Points (HP), but rather on the actions taken by the Artificial Intelligence (AI). For instance, selecting a more challenging mode might result in distinct AI behaviors, such as enemies deploying unique attacks or intensifying their search for you. Consequently, it’s not merely about differences in levels and HP; there’s a lot more to consider regarding the AI’s actions.

A: It appears the environment will offer a high level of interaction. Will there be numerous opportunities for creative problem-solving, or will the gameplay be more structured and predictable in dealing with various scenarios?

Each stage offers a distinct setup and aesthetic, resembling a playground, allowing for flexibility in how you accomplish them. You’ll encounter various settings. For instance, you could eliminate an opponent by leaping from behind or another angle, or use KOBY to shoot a large crate that takes out two or three foes. This means you’ll discover multiple strategies for handling situations within each setting, making it more like a sandbox where you choose your next action. Additionally, KOBY possesses various abilities, some of which are environment-specific, as you’ll soon discover.

A: Despite your mention that Steel Seed isn’t an open-world game, which is intriguing, could you share your thoughts on the anticipated length and rhythm of the gameplay experience?

The time required to complete the game isn’t set in stone, as it depends on your gaming skills. For our internal tests, we found that it might take up to 15 hours to finish. However, if you’re not an experienced gamer, it could potentially take longer. Our professional testers, who are skilled and familiar with various games, typically complete it within about 15 hours, but the time may be longer for others.

A: Are there many extra features like collectibles and additional activities that might make the game last longer too?

Absolutely, the game is filled with various collectibles such as documents and audio logs that help piece together the narrative. Gathering these items will not only flesh out the story but also provide answers to questions like what led to the tragic event on Earth, why people perished, and where humanity currently stands. Therefore, if you aim to uncover the entire tale, it’s essential to gather as many collectibles as possible.

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2025-03-11 00:29