Smelter

As others have said, I want to like this game so much. There is so freaking much greatness I want to hug whoever did the writing, graphics, overall design, and sound. On the other hand, I wanna PUNCH whoever signed off on the finished product. This is not okay! This game is not finished and it plays like you had zero QA. Whoever you are, you ruined a potentially awesome game and you should feel bad. The good points: The graphics - retro, cutesy, and perfect really. I love them so much I'm almost willing to forgive the pile of other things that piss me off. The dialog - edgy and cocky. It gets the job done. Might annoy some but I really like it. The sound - satisfying sound effects. All fit together and well represent the actions they're tied to. The music - catchy, appropriate, and upbeat. Good times. Not particularly memorable but loads of fun to listen to. Some really epic tracks, especially early on. Pause is how I most enjoyed this game. The upgrades - I enjoy the linking of new moves to over world progress and vice versa. All the sweet moves gives your character incredible versatility and there are so many of them, I am even more remiss to dislike this game overall as a result. The elements - I love that each one has a completely different move set and feels unique but distinctly effective. I like that some enemies are weak to certain elements, and not just because of the element itself. Some moves are just better against some enemies. The concepts - This was one of my favorite parts! I love act raiser and this feels like a great homage. The story - what I could get was okay, but the game was otherwise too frustrating to find out where they decided to take the story. ::shrug:: The not so good: The controls - see above for who I'd like to punch. You know who you are. This game plays like a child designed it. Everything else about the game ranges from okay to AWESOME. But these controls. Damn... It's like finding out your otherwise awesome date is a die-hard trumper. Feels like love till she starts spewing toxicity. In this game's case, the controls are the toxicity. You think you can deal but it digs at you. Even if it's not specifically the point of frustration at any given time, you know it's there in the back of your head. Any semblance of fun is ruined by knowing the game is totally going to make you do things the controls are not designed for. The enemies - They are frustrating to fight unless you can kill them before they have a chance to act which is, dare I say, somewhat rewarding. But because of the controls (see above), there is no way to consistently dispatch them before they have time to piss you off. The game loves to inflict difficulty and annoyance by strategically placing them just out of your reach as well. It also enjoys sticking them in a corner where Eve gets stuck on a wall allowing the enemy there to wail on her. It makes pushover enemies feel completely unfair somehow. There are so many BS moments I can't even. Even if you somehow managed to address and individually remove the poorly placed enemies, it would still feel like garbage overall. The elements (again) - I think the IDEA is awesome but it was executed poorly. I don't really know how to fix it. Sorry. I think it belongs, but the way it is done is just... bad. I'm not a game designer. Squandered potential here really. The designers managed to take something great and make it annoying and I don't even know how they did it. The straight up bad: The controls (again) - different reasons though. Momentum is all wrong. The dash mechanics are horrible. The gravity and acceleration is wrong. Wall climbing specifically is extra horrible. Attacking freezes your character in place for the entirety of the animation, but not always, and not always to the same degree. The inconsistency is unforgivable. It must have been horrible to write the physics code to feel so obtuse. It feels floaty but also rigid, the worst parts of both. It is not perspective or opinion. It is objectively bad. The challenge trials - oh my... you know, if you took all these out of the game and just left hidden collectables, this game would have been so much better. Probably not good, but... just so much better. These are a huge, embarrassing mistake and not one is fun. They are all crap and some are controller-destroyingly bad. (The don't get hit electrical element one is truly awful) The cheap deaths - why does this game want to punish me? It's not challenging. It's player abuse. The combat - It's like the enemies mentioned above, but in addition to the enemies, Eve also personally wants to die. There is no way this game plays like they intended. That about sums it up. One of the most annoying games I've ever played because a part of me is in love with parts of it. There is so much right here, and not much wrong. Boy is the wrong wrong though. Update: I kept playing this game despite how abusive and unfair it is. I hate this game now. All of the awful parts just kept getting worse but none of the novelty remained. I think I can say safely, screw the developers of this game.

Good and bad. The gameplay is very similar to Megaman X both visually and in some of the mechanics, not to mention the general level exploration. I like this about the game and it's what kept me playing for the roughly two and a half hours that I did. Unfortunately, the game has a ton of very specific mechanics that all claim to interact with each other, and in the time I spent playing, about 2 hours of it was mind numbing amounts of tutorials and game entry backstory. The controls are also very oddly formatted, and I had trouble re-mapping them to a position that I could handle. Because of this, I'd say the game is not very accessible to newcomers or casual gamers of an average to low skill set. Ironic, considering how in two and a half hours of gameplay, I didn't even officially escape all of the tutorials. The gameplay is further bogged down by that kind of self-awareness that comes when you don't necessarily believe you're making a good game, so you point out all the flaws and plot holes in a sarcastic manner. It's difficult to deal with a narrator/companion that's so very full of themselves while at the same time crapping on the game they're in. Please dev, I just want to enjoy your game, please let me enjoy your game without being told what to do and how to do it every 5 seconds by a companion that I want to like, but feels like if Bowser and Deadpool had a baby without genuine self confidence.

[h1]Smelter[/h1] [i]Forging frustration instead of fun[/i] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Metacritic:- [b]75%[/b] Steam Reviews:- [b]65% "Mixed"[/b] My Ranking:- [b]45%[/b] Difficulty Scale:- [b]6/10[/b] My Playtime:- [b]11hrs[/b] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Smelter[/b] is a game that tries to blend action-platforming with strategy elements, but the execution just feels completely off to me. The combat is clunky and unresponsive, with enemy encounters often more frustrating than fun, while the platforming sections suffer from some uneven difficulty spikes and uninspired level design. The strategy layer, meant to add depth, feels shallow and repetitive, quickly becoming a chore for the player rather than a complement to the core gameplay. What I despise the most is that weapon upgrades are hidden behind silly trials unlocked during stages which can then be turned in at forges to upgrade your weapons instead of a more natural upgrade route found in other games. For the most part I ignored these (thinking they were little extra challenges for platform enthusiasts) only to arrive mid-late game completely under levelled now forced to go back to all the stages I had cleared before to seek out these trials. The art style and concept show promise, but this experience is tedious and unrewarding and is a NO from me. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Pros[/b] - Vibrant art style with some appealing character designs - Occasional fun boss encounters that show flashes of creativity [b]Cons[/b] - Awful attempts at humor - Clunky, unresponsive combat that makes fights frustrating - Uneven difficulty spikes and uninspired platforming sections - Strategy layer feels shallow, repetitive, and quickly becomes tedious - Lack of polish across systems, leading to a disjointed experience - Locking upgrades behind stupid "don't get hit" challenges scattered throughout the levels - Overall gameplay loop struggles to stay engaging https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=869455135

Why "no"? Everything except the game not respecting my time is great. There's no save option mid-level, where you're supposed to explore. I routinely rack up 40 minutes on the clear time. It would be way less if I were using a guide, but I haven't so far (though I will after this review). Say I just couldn't find the 3rd hidden item, or trial, or ore deposit. I'd have to finish the level. I couldn't just stop and pick back up later. Anyway, this is a wonderful homage to Actraiser and Mega Man X. The gimmick is neat, and some twists on things exist. One of those twists is what you find while exploring the platforming levels. Unfortunately, as levels get longer and more punishing, that system suffers. If most of the challenge were centered around trials that you have to search out to begin with, this would be a "yes", because it would mostly be skippable. Now, I don't like a lot of the trials. They're supposed to be themed around the power set you get from the area you find that power set and trial in. Got it. You know where else that gets done? Several of the levels. You know what those levels -don't- do? They don't force you to keep doing that. Trials do. You get whichever power set and that's it. Only one of the power sets gets double jump... in a platforming game. Yes, there are other moves. Yes, trials make it excruciatingly and painfully clear that they're adequate. But that's all they are: adequate. If trials let you use other power sets or some of them had checkpoints, it would be better. Yes, I realize most trials can be done in less than a minute if you win. Lots of them have instant lose spots. Some of them aren't properly restarted, so some elements differ entirely from the first run of a trial (versus a 30th consecutive attempt). Speaking of instant lose spots, those questionable choices bleed over from the trials into the platforming level design. Annnnnnnd they eventually invalidate the gimmick, because in later levels just clipping into a certain kind of enemy will time warp you. Previously, you had to use Smelter to grab switch objects. Remarkably bad choice, in my opinion, especially because it's very often used as a "♥♥♥♥ you" on top of other already difficult platforming elements. An example in the following paragraph. You reach a long stretch before a boss. The long stretch has 5 main obstacles: (1) the level is designed so that you go right-then-left and left-then-right, (2) a giant laser that takes up roughly a third of the vertical area and all of the horizontal area fires on a timed loop, (3) rotating laser turrets aim-lock onto you, (4) the time warp monsters litter the whole area in one timeline, and (5) other monsters exist. Did you run into one of the time warp monsters? Back down the shaft to where a reverse time warp monster is. Now back up. Dodge them better next time. Now bait and dodge the big laser. Now dodge the 3 aim-lock lasers. Why, yes, they DID put a time warp monster right in the way of the exit, but just think how good it will feel when you switch to the other power set to phase through it. No? You died... again? And you want to quit playing until later, but as you mentioned you can't save mid-level (despite there being checkpoints). All those sound like you problems. It's not like other levels put spikes under those time warp monsters so that you time warp into spikes if you make the mistake of hitting them, but it's not a mistake to hit them when the hidden stuff requires you to time warp. That's different. That type of stuff puts me in a bad mood. So, other stuff I'd normally give a pass to stands out instead. For example, I was able to infinite loop one of the world map events with no way to stop it other than reloading (because walls heal and you have to take down 3 separate sections on different timers). Thing is, you have to pick the first of the 3 things to advance. Well, that means the next stuff is limited by when your personnel show up to man the tower. Get in the habit of building a house near wherever you are, because they will literally walk in real time across the whole map if you just call them and the last one you built is far away. I haven't checked, but I doubt they use the altars (which are fast travel points). It isn't great. Other things that aren't great are that using Smelter's attack (which pauses the screen) doesn't bother to pause the projectile launch from the enemies that walk walls. It saw you, it's firing, and Smelter can't do a thing about it. Bam, you got hit in the middle of what amounts to a cutscene. Have fun with that. Oh, and, yes, those little creatures will be warping with you between some time warps. You wouldn't want to have a way to logically avoid them, would you?

Ignore those negative reviews - Smelter may have been bugged in the beginning and had some issues, but they are no more in 2025. Perfect game from start to finish. There's no way you will not like this if you like Mega Man or Sidescrollers in general. You can choose how and where to proceed, mobs and bosses are unique and fun to smelt. Admittedly, when you arrive on the world map and fly Smelter for the very first time, it will get confusing and seems a bit tiresome at first but you will grow to like it. Those Trials are a nerve-wrecking and painful challenge, but I mastered them all (it's optional). Those elemental abilities are really really fun and versatile. Level design is super cool, soundtrack as well. How can you not love Eve? lol Very engaging, charming, humorous, unique and endearing game, full of surprises - great work, devs, loving it

This is a narrow recommend for me. The art is AMAZING. The music is quite nice as well. The controls can be a bit awkward at times. There's a lot of different gameplay modes including city management and action platforming. -The action Gameplay is decent enough and the challenge zones were well balanced for the most part. -The city management started off interesting but very quickly became tedious and annoying. The story had so much potential, but what you end up with was so basic, lackluster, and predictable that it really turned me off. There were no meaningful or unexpected twists and I found myself mostly slogging through the dialogue, which is such a shame really. Overall I think that if you are a fan of 2D action platformers then you'll probably like this title despite the shortcomings, but get it on sale.

I hidden Gem in Steam. And yes, i read all the other Reviews and i cannot agree. Not at all. I dont know why this game is mixed. It is a lovely crafted world with funny characters and i totally like the idea that the Game is called "Smelter" and you actually play the Character Smelter. You will understand this if you play the Game. Controls: The Controls are awesome and smooth. People say it is not good. I dont know why. She jumps as high as much as i press the button. She moves only when i move the Stick. Awesome Mobility-Skills with obvious References to classic Games like Mega-Man. To be honest, if i die. Its my fault. And i played many many Games like this. The Mega-Man Z series. Ori, Celeste, The Messenger and many more. And this Title can absolutely stand next to them in Terms of Controls and Mobility Options for the Player. Level Design aka Difficulty: Yes, this Game may seem hard for beginners but, in my Opinion, the Stages hit the Sweetspot many times. They are not to long, not to short. Plattforming is Fun, Puzzles are Fun and there are many rooms to discover. This Team makes use of old Classic "Hidden Rooms in a Wall" Thing which may annoy many modern Gamers. Because you have to actually check the walls to be sure. But Even for this the Developer implemented a Sound so you can hear if a Secret is near by. So thank you for that. "Enemies are to Strong" Two Questions 1. Which Difficulty do they mean? 2. Are they making use of the Element System? I literally 2 shot enemies with my ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ awesome electro whip. I snipe them with my charged Blaster aka we love Mega-Man Weopon from across the Screen. BUT to do so you have to use the right Element :D You would not attack Pikachu with a electro Attack and than say "Why is this Pokemon so tanky? Bad Game!" Yeah some Enemies wont die from 2 shots but man i like it this way. I want a little Challenge. Some Bosses may seem hard but after a couple tries you will beat em. Same goes for Base-Mode. If you chose the wrong Element, your Units wont kill them. Ah and yeah. This Game has a tiny Base mode which is totally funny and the visuals totally reminds me of the old SNES Times. I love it and it is super fun after you understand the buildings and the upgrades better. so what are the cons? Well there are not many. If you like you could say some levels are to complex but i like this kinda Games. I come back and use my new Ability to find new Areas if wish so. But to be hones, i got almost 90% Collectibles right on the way. I dont have much to complain. Nothing big to mention. Here and there some wall jump problems or some challenges are really hard and you have to be patient to beat them. but ye....not really a "bad" thing. I dont mean to offend people here or potrait myself as a Pro-Gamer. But we should give this Team some Credit for a legit fun Plattformer/ Metroidvania-ish Game. And if you have problems to beat a certain level. Accept the fact that this game is, in some ways, like a classic Game. Which is intended to kill the Player at the very first tries. Get over it and grow and you will see you can do it with ease if you give yourself some time to adept.

Good music, good pixel graphics, a challenge in gameplay, speedrun tactics. I don't understand other reviews that saying controls are clunky, controls are really giving a feeling of control. The game per total is really good to play if you're a fan of 2d platformers or retro gaming. Edit: After some more gameplay, is more and more hard if you want to complete all in the game. But after you do something hard the feeling is better. What I would like is that to can save the game at checkpoints even if you turn off the game, not if you turn off to start the stage again and all hard trials you did to be like you did not. Edit 2: I completed the action mode with all it had. It was amazing, you have to buy it, there's love in this game from the people that made it.

Meh..

Smelter is a 2D Action Platformer where you play as Eve and attempt to save Adam after eating the forbidden apples. You venture along with your companion Smelter to take down the guardians of the Doma runes in order to upgrade your abilities and spells. The game offers 3 different biomes with 4 main stages. Each of the stages contain 3 different challenging trials that will test your quick reactions and patience skills. There are also secrets hidden in each stage to be discovered. The gameplay with super fluid and I didn't have any issues at all. Your character learns 3 different elements as you progress through stages and the map. Each of those abilities will give you certain mechanics you will be using to overcome stages with their challenging platforming sections. The music and soundtracks were amazing and I really enjoyed them. The boss fights were well structured and each required certain strategies to beat which adds to the challenge and fun. This is a really recommended 2D Action Platformer to the fans of the genre. Overall Rating 10/10