PGC NEWS

The card game genre often evokes images of intense player-versus-player battles in games like Yu-Gi-Oh, Hearthstone, and Magic: The Gathering. Slay the Spire breathed new life into the genre by blending card battles with roguelike RPG elements, achieving significant success on Steam. Now, Swedish developer Image & Form offers another unique take on the genre with SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech, combining rich RPG elements with engaging card-based combat. This review explores what makes SteamWorld Quest a compelling experience.

SteamWorld Quest: The Hand of Gilgamech

A Whimsical Steampunk World

Fans of Image & Form’s SteamWorld series will recognize the charming robotic characters, now set against a vibrant fantasy backdrop. This blend of steampunk and fantasy aesthetics creates a unique and visually appealing world. The game follows Armilly, an aspiring hero who idolizes the Guild of Heroes, on a quest to save the guild and ultimately, the world. She teams up with a colorful cast of companions, each with their own distinct personalities and motivations.

The narrative, while reminiscent of classic JRPGs, shines through its well-developed characters. From the hero-obsessed Armilly to the studious Copernica and the laid-back but reliable Galleo, each character’s personality is expertly conveyed through dialogue and combat style.

The game’s soundtrack complements the world beautifully, with gentle melodies accompanying exploration and energetic tracks heightening the excitement of boss battles. Every element works in harmony to create a lively and immersive world.

SteamWorld Quest: The Hand of Gilgamech

Refined and Accessible Gameplay

Despite its card-based combat, SteamWorld Quest retains the core mechanics of turn-based RPGs, similar to Final Fantasy. This results in a faster and more streamlined combat experience compared to traditional card games.

Players assemble a three-member party, with each character equipped with eight cards. The initial roster expands throughout the game, allowing for diverse party compositions and strategic customization. Armilly focuses on physical attacks and buffs, Copernica specializes in elemental magic attacks, and Galleo provides healing and defensive support.

Combat involves drawing six random cards from each character’s deck, with the option to redraw twice per turn. Players can use up to three cards per turn. Basic cards generate SP (essentially mana) to power more potent cards. Using all three cards from a single character activates a powerful Heroic Chain ability, determined by the character’s equipped weapon.

SteamWorld Quest: The Hand of Gilgamech

With a total of 24 cards in play per battle, deck building is crucial. New cards can be found in treasure chests or crafted/upgraded at shops. The wide variety of cards ensures balanced gameplay, encouraging synergy between characters.

A challenging aspect for newcomers is that a fallen character’s cards remain in the deck. Drawing unusable cards can significantly increase the difficulty, especially if multiple party members are down. Keeping the entire party alive is paramount to success.

This accessible yet strategically demanding gameplay caters to both newcomers and seasoned card game veterans seeking a unique challenge.

Room for Improvement

While the streamlined gameplay is appealing, SteamWorld Quest’s level design feels somewhat simplistic and repetitive. Despite offering branching paths for exploration and item discovery, the levels lack challenging puzzles or obstacles. Progression primarily involves defeating around six enemies per level, culminating in a boss battle.

Enemy variety is also limited. Aside from unique bosses, most enemies share similar characteristics. Bees primarily focus on evasion and stinging attacks, while giant enemies tend to have rage mechanics and high health. This lack of enemy diversity, coupled with a straightforward narrative, can make the game feel less challenging.

SteamWorld Quest: The Hand of Gilgamech

Conclusion

SteamWorld Quest: Hand of Gilgamech successfully blends charming aesthetics with accessible yet engaging card-based combat. While its simplified level design and limited enemy variety might detract from the challenge, the game offers a delightful experience for RPG and card game fans alike. Its focus on character development, strategic combat, and whimsical world-building makes it a worthwhile addition to the SteamWorld universe.