Severed Steel, a 2021 first person shooter by Greylock Studio, is an incredibly fun game. It’s on sale now for a great price, and you should pick it up. If you’re still on the fence, keep reading.
The game is basically what you get if you combine Superhot and Ultrakill. It’s fast-paced, style based, gun slinging, wall running, time slowing, quick thinking, unadulterated action. Hide behind cover? Hell no, cover is something your enemies use. Blow a hole through the middle of it and dive through. Slow down time, take a shot each at the two enemies hiding behind it. your gun is out of ammo, and there’s a heavy in front of you. Slide between his legs, grabbing the pistol off his belt. Shoot him in the back before your slide finishes. A bullet grazes you from behind, an enemy is on the other side of a chasm, taking potshots at you. Run on the wall towards him, line up a shot, and take it. You still have ammo. Take out a few enemies that are getting into position a dozen meters below you.
Remember to breathe. Enjoy the music for a second. And then dive through a window and continue the mayhem.
Severed Steel has a very replayable campaign, an arena mode, a roguelike mode, and steam workshop support. The campaign is only about 3 hours at its longest, but it has a new game+ mode with new enemies and changed placements, and it’s not like the gameplay is monotonous. It’s thrilling to play, and there’s always something to do. Level objectives have a decent amount of variety, and the levels themselves have different themes and and styles to keep you engaged. Additionally, you can unlock optional modifiers that will affect your gameplay. Such as the ever-classic Big head mode. The Arena and Roguelike modes are, I think, where the game really shines. Taking on a series of levels with acquired boons and penalties, trying to go for the highest score, is a treat. And I really do mean that. Severed Steel is a great score-attack game. Trying to do the most stylish thing possible, keep the combo of action going as long as you can, keep finding new ways to deal with problems. You have an arm cannon that can blow holes in the terrain. Why would you look for the stairs when you can blast a hole through the floor? Why deal with enemy cover when you can get rid of it, and get as close as possible
The soundtrack for the game is stunning, as is the visual style. The game is voxel based, which apart from giving it a unique flair, means that the terrain damage feels fairly natural and avoids some jank. Plus, when the firefight is over and you’re making your way to the exit for the next one, you get to look around and enjoy the makeover you gave the place. Shattered windows, bullet holes, blasted walls, and doors kicked off their hinges into somebody’s face.
Pick it up if you like the sound, and you won’t be disappointed. Just remember to breathe.