Aether & Iron

Superbly written and acted with some of the finest worldbuilding in any RPG this decade, Aether & Iron is an instant classic and one of the best games of the year.

Aether & Iron is one of the most atmospheric video games I've played in recent memory. Even characters who show up for a scene or two seem to have an inner life, and the aether-powered New York is an excellent example of alternate history. After a while, I started playing in shorter sessions, completing only two or three quests at a time, to extend my time with the game. Car combat is a good gameplay system, adding variety and tension, but the mechanics do not match the storytelling. The vehicle customization is a little fiddly, while the idea of environmental dangers for flying cars is a little incongruous. These are minor issues for Aether & Iron, which is impressive in its ability to marry a cool world and strong characters with decent, if not innovative, gameplay.

Aether & Iron pulls players into the role of a well-written anti-heroine and a gorgeously-drawn art deco setting, and adds turn-based vehicular combat and a simple-but-effective RPG system to create a fantastic debut title for developer Seismic Squirrel that feels thematically relevant to our modern struggle. Its worldbuilding leaves a bit to be desired, but if you can take it for what it is, it delivers on its promises very well.

Aether & Iron delivers a narrative-driven noir adventure that can be both enjoyable and frustrating. This “decopunk” New York is beautiful, brutal, and sets the stage for great stories, even with some flaws in the pacing. Its combat is interesting enough to provide a break between episodes, but it’s up to the player to decide whether or not they’re in the mood to make the most of it.

Aether and Iron presents a dark-toned experience with metallic resonances, offering a lucid management system embodied by a lively and resolute protagonist. Set in the heart of a decopunk New York, layers of violence unfold, requiring the player to navigate them to complete each mission. Its mechanics, seemingly simple at first glance, flow with an almost contemplative rhythm, yet remain sufficiently immersive to sustain both the narrative dimension and encounters of notable solidity.

Aether & Iron offers a story-driven noir adventure that can both satisfy and frustrate. The retro-futuristic depiction of 1930s New York with floating cars on flying islands is enticing, complete with factions and seedy characters. Turn-based combat on high-speed streets is engaging and satisfying, offering some new considerations to your typical turn-based experience. While the story and characters are worth experiencing, some of the storytelling mechanics can feel frustrating and unwieldy. That said, the patient, strategic gamer looking for a well-told story will find a good time with Aether & Iron.

Aether & Iron is a very promising title that tells a highly compelling story of power and class, and is crowned with one of the most clever SRPG battle systems on the market. However, it is full of disruptive glitches and bugs that rear their heads far too frequently, which prevent the mind from fully engaging with the wonderful story. Signs indicate that the developers are quick to fix issues as they arise, so there is reason to believe they will get fixed over time. However, at the moment of writing, the flaws are too numerous to overlook. This makes it difficult to fully recommend the game to a wider audience than hardcore SRPG and aetherpunk dystopia fans. For those that love these aspects, though, there are few titles on the market that will scratch that itch as well as Aether & Iron.

This game is very much right up my alley. I'm always craving more narrative experiences and the melding with tactics combat has really got me hooked. I've been smashing through it and am currently in the second island and having a blast. The characters, the writing, the art and the combat all an amazing time for me so far.