Guardians of Victoria

Not Recommended

Guardians of Victoria is a steampunk-themed side-scrolling platformer that attempts to blend the adrenaline of endless running with elements of exploration, combat, and character progression. Developed by Tall Story Studios and published by New Reality Games, it transports players into the soaring industrial world of Victoria, a city suspended high above the clouds, powered by mysterious technologies and plagued by the threat of collapse. The premise centers on three playable heroes—Brella, Cutlass, and Firearm—each possessing distinct abilities that allow them to navigate environments in unique ways. From gliding across air currents with an umbrella to smashing through obstacles or unleashing ranged attacks, the game encourages players to experiment with different playstyles as they race through hazardous machinery and precarious platforms while being pursued by deadly forces. The concept of giving players freedom to stop, explore, and backtrack instead of simply running forward offers a fresh take on the runner genre, expanding it into something more dynamic and open-ended. At first glance, the game’s world design is appealing. The city of Victoria captures the essence of steampunk with ornate mechanical towers, cog-filled skylines, and looming contraptions that set the stage for both danger and wonder. There’s a sense of verticality in its levels that makes the player feel constantly on the edge of disaster, balancing speed with precision. The environments alternate between outdoor aerial platforms and confined industrial interiors, forcing players to adapt their approach as hazards change. Each level is structured with objectives and star-based challenges, rewarding those who complete runs efficiently or uncover hidden items. The soundtrack, while repetitive, fits the thematic atmosphere of brass, smoke, and tension, immersing players in the strange rhythm of a mechanical world teetering between beauty and chaos. Unfortunately, despite its creative ambition, Guardians of Victoria suffers from a number of execution problems that weigh down its potential. The game’s controls feel sluggish and often unresponsive, a critical flaw in a title that relies heavily on reflex and timing. Even players with capable hardware report noticeable input delays and inconsistent performance, suggesting optimization issues that were never fully addressed. The physics system, while functional, sometimes miscalculates collisions, leading to frustrating deaths or missed jumps. The pathing through certain stages can be confusing due to cluttered visual design, and some obstacles blend too easily with the background, causing players to make mistakes through no fault of their own. These shortcomings make the gameplay loop feel less satisfying than it should, breaking immersion and discouraging extended play sessions. The variety offered by the three protagonists adds some replay value, but it isn’t enough to fully elevate the experience. Each character is tied to particular levels and has specific powers that can be upgraded with points earned through play, yet the upgrades themselves lack a tangible impact on how the game feels to play. The supposed differences between characters are mostly superficial, with their playstyles only slightly altering the pace or range of motion. The upgrade system—focused on improving speed, jump height, and attack power—sounds appealing but rarely changes the underlying problem of sluggish responsiveness. This makes progression feel hollow, as the core mechanics never evolve beyond their initial limitations. The pursuit sequences that should create excitement often feel unfair because of inconsistent collision detection or lag, robbing them of their intended tension. Aesthetically, the game carries a certain charm. The art direction manages to deliver an appealing steampunk fantasy on a small budget, and some backgrounds and set pieces genuinely stand out for their creativity. Yet this visual promise is undermined by technical instability. Graphical glitches, frame drops, and a lack of polish in animations give the game an unfinished quality. The music, while thematically consistent, can become grating over time due to limited variety and harsh sound mixing. Menu navigation and interface responsiveness also present issues—occasional bugs such as delayed input or freezing on start-up have been reported, further emphasizing the impression that the game was released without sufficient refinement. In the end, Guardians of Victoria feels like a game with a solid concept trapped inside a rough execution. Its premise—melding endless running with exploration and steampunk storytelling—shows creativity and ambition beyond many small indie projects. However, the lack of technical polish, the uneven level design, and the shallow implementation of its mechanics prevent it from realizing that potential. There are flashes of brilliance in its atmosphere and moments when the setting and gameplay align beautifully, but those instances are too fleeting to sustain engagement. The result is a game that invites curiosity but fails to reward it with consistency. For players drawn to steampunk aesthetics and indie experimentation, Guardians of Victoria may still offer a brief, novel diversion. Yet for those seeking precision platforming, smooth performance, and refined challenge, it stands as more of a missed opportunity—a noble but flawed attempt to ascend to the heights its world so vividly depicts. Rating: 4/10

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요즘 힘든 일이 있어서 웃을 일이 많이 없었는데 이 게임이 저에게 실소를 선물해 주었습니다. 완성도도 한참 못 미치고 게임을 시작하면 이미지들이 덜덜덜 떨리면서 속도도 느려지는 데다가 어이가 없는 탄막 판정과 맵 디자인, 만들다 만 그래픽, 무료 음원을 이용한 bgm, 캐릭터들의 스킬들과 점프도 실행되는 판정이 제각각입니다. 공부하기 귀찮아하는 어느 한 디지털 학과 학생이 과제로 만든 것 같은 완성도라서 정말 현실적으로 절망적인 기분이라 이루 말을 할 수가 없네요. 각종 버그와 플레이가 불가능한 각종 거지같음을 이곳에 전부 표현하기에는 제 안의 스팀펑크 좋아하는 마음이 그만두라고 비명을 지르고 있어서 카드만 파밍하고 그만 두기로 했습니다. 게임이 한번 끄면 중지도 안되기 때문에 스팀 내에서 중지 버튼 누르는게 제일 깔끔하게 꺼지는 기분입니다. 진심 게임 플레이 하고 어이가 없어서 한번 피식 웃었는데 누군가에게 웃음을 줬다면 그걸로 됐습니다.

Gas Leeks

Просто мусор, не стоит даже трех копеек по скидке

Its only redeeming feature is its ability to drop worthless cards to feed your hoarding addiction. Aside from that, why anyone would spend more than 15 minutes trying to navigate this broken janky mess is curious.

I picked this up for a few cents thinking I'd found a hidden gem — the Victorian steampunk aesthetic and character-switching mechanics genuinely sounded interesting. But the game is fundamentally broken: constant RAM bloat, inputs that register seconds late, falling through platforms, and a game-over screen that greets you almost immediately. To make matters worse, the game refuses to actually close, silently running in the background and eating up memory long after you've quit. Even the developer themselves posted a negative review admitting this isn't a good game. Save your pennies.

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Guardians of Victoria surprised me with its charming blend of steampunk aesthetics and fast-paced runner mechanics. The hand-drawn visuals capture Victorian London beautifully, with intricate details in the backgrounds and character designs that feel both stylish and immersive. Gameplay is refreshingly challenging yet fair. Switching between characters mid-run to use their unique abilities—whether jumping, gliding, or shooting—adds real depth and variety. It’s not just about reflexes; there’s genuine strategy involved in picking the right moment to change characters. The soundtrack also deserves a mention. It complements the game’s atmosphere perfectly, mixing orchestral swells with subtle industrial tones. If you enjoy 2D runner games but want something with a little more personality and strategy, Guardians of Victoria is definitely worth checking out. It’s a hidden gem in the indie game scene.