It's fair to say that Steambot Chronicles is unlike any other game you'll have played, and it's probably best suited to fans of eclectic games.  It is a fusion of game styles using elements of a sim-type game, a few economic principles, vehicle combat, roleplaying story, with some emphasis on musical performances.  In other words, it's hard to define by normal game labels.

The game is not a big-budget production, and I would not want to pay full price for it.  But as a collector of off-the-wall or niche games, this one is a perfect addition to my library.  It makes me laugh, keeps me curious, and is usually relaxing.

You can only play as a boy character, a teenager who has lost his memory during a cruise ship accident.  The technology is early 1900's, in a fictional country similar to the US.  However, this world has developed the splendid Trotmobile, a sort of 19th century robot that requires a pilot.  Your trotmobile can be used for commerce or combat and is the focus of the game.  However, you will also spend a good deal of time meeting people, running errands, and raising money to support your other habits.

The game should not be taken too seriously, partly because is intentionally light, and partly because it's a bit choppy in places, and you'll be disappointed if you depend on every plot twist to make sense, every action to have a logical result.  But if you can take the story with a grain of salt, it is wonderful and very charming.  The graphics are not first-rate, but they do have a unique style and simple charm.

Technical prowess is not one of the game's strong points.  There are sometimes load lags, as you pass into new territories, which seem unreasonably long.  The camera work is sometimes choppy, and the camera angles are occaisonally frustrating.  I find myself able to forgive these weaknesses for the sake of playing in this game world, but it is something to consider, if technical finesse is important to you.

Parents:  Language used in the game is almost completely mild (there will be the occasional minor expletives).  There is no graphic sexual or violent content.  There are mild references to romance, as dating is a part of the game.  There is also violence, as you'll be clubbing and shooting mechanical opponents fairly regularly, but it's all within tasteful limits, in my opinion.  I would let a small child watch me play without any worries.  A lot of girls might like this game,  so it's a real shame they didn't allow for a female lead character.

The reviewers here critical of this game should probably be playing a more mainstream, less artful game.  This game is for the rest of us, who enjoy a break from the dull, repetitive products that come from the major game houses.
It's fair to say that Steambot Chronicles is unlike any other game you'll have played, and it's probably best suited to fans of eclectic games. It is a fusion of game styles using elements of a sim-type game, a few economic principles, vehicle combat, roleplaying story, with some emphasis on musical performances. In other words, it's hard to define by normal game labels. The game is not a big-budget production, and I would not want to pay full price for it. But as a collector of off-the-wall or niche games, this one is a perfect addition to my library. It makes me laugh, keeps me curious, and is usually relaxing. You can only play as a boy character, a teenager who has lost his memory during a cruise ship accident. The technology is early 1900's, in a fictional country similar to the US. However, this world has developed the splendid Trotmobile, a sort of 19th century robot that requires a pilot. Your trotmobile can be used for commerce or combat and is the focus of the game. However, you will also spend a good deal of time meeting people, running errands, and raising money to support your other habits. The game should not be taken too seriously, partly because is intentionally light, and partly because it's a bit choppy in places, and you'll be disappointed if you depend on every plot twist to make sense, every action to have a logical result. But if you can take the story with a grain of salt, it is wonderful and very charming. The graphics are not first-rate, but they do have a unique style and simple charm. Technical prowess is not one of the game's strong points. There are sometimes load lags, as you pass into new territories, which seem unreasonably long. The camera work is sometimes choppy, and the camera angles are occaisonally frustrating. I find myself able to forgive these weaknesses for the sake of playing in this game world, but it is something to consider, if technical finesse is important to you. Parents:  Language used in the game is almost completely mild (there will be the occasional minor expletives). There is no graphic sexual or violent content. There are mild references to romance, as dating is a part of the game. There is also violence, as you'll be clubbing and shooting mechanical opponents fairly regularly, but it's all within tasteful limits, in my opinion. I would let a small child watch me play without any worries. A lot of girls might like this game,  so it's a real shame they didn't allow for a female lead character. The reviewers here critical of this game should probably be playing a more mainstream, less artful game. This game is for the rest of us, who enjoy a break from the dull, repetitive products that come from the major game houses.