When it comes to legendary shooters, Steel Empire isn’t exactly uttered in the first few choices. I mean, Cave and Treasure have basically overtaken the genre, and there are just so many shooters to choose from. Nevertheless, the game, initially released for Sega Genesis through Hot-B and Flying Edge, has its fair share of fans, and rightfully so.
The game would later go on to see a port on the 3DS, and then to Steam, where its audience would slowly continue to expand. But now it’s got a major release on the Nintendo Switch, in the form of The Legend of Steel Empire.
This is a nicely enhanced port, with visuals that have been spruced up pretty well and controls that continue to capture the excitement of what the game is all about. I would’ve liked more extras, as we’re used to seeing in other retro collections from ININ Games. But as it stands, this provides ample opportunity for fans to check out a much overlooked shooter. As they should.
To the Skies!
Developed with savvy by Mebius, The Legend of Steel Empire pits you against, well, a steel empire. Duh. You control either a biplane (fast and less powerful) or a zeppelin (slower, but much more power) and blast your way through a variety of stages, snagging power-ups along the way and dropping a super bomb that literally looks like an electrical tornado.
The gameplay is basic, but, hey, that’s a throwback shooter for you. But The Legend of Steel Empire still works admirably, thanks to tight precision and the ability to shoot in front of and behind your ship, since enemies come at you in all directions.
Powering up is basic yet effective, as you collect three “P” icons to increase your firepower. What’s great is that you don’t necessarily lose it after you die, something we despise in harder games. It’s nice to actually have an advantage here.
If anything, The Legend of Steel Empire is lacking in extras. There aren’t too many bonus items here; and there’s hardly any history to speak of, which would’ve been neat if only because Hot-B doesn’t get much chronicling as of late. But you still get an entertaining shooter for the money, and that’s what counts.
This Steel Gets Some Great Polish
As far as the conversion to Nintendo Switch, Mebius did a great job with The Legend of Steel Empire. It essentially took what worked so well on the Steam front – nice, polished visuals and animations – and makes it click here as well. It’s not rocket science, but a nice example of how to remaster a classic.
The game remains fast and frenetic, and the levels show a great deal of diversity through this imaginative world. Plus the explosions are excellent, especially that supernova that you can drop, provided you have the bombs to do it.
As for the music, it’s pretty good. Mebius ported that as well, and it’s a good mix of war tunes to keep you motivated. The sound effects have been remixed as well, to positive effect. It wouldn’t hurt to get the headphones for this one.
How’s the PlayStation 4/5 Edition?
Previously, we reviewed the Switch version of The Legend of Steel Empire. But then ININ Games gave us the chance to check it out for PlayStation 4 and 5, since it’s out now. And we’re happy to say it didn’t miss a step.
The game performs just as wonderfully as it did on the Switch, with its frantic shooting action, high speed and impressive options. And it’s still a heck of a lot of fun to play, even if you’re a newbie to the shooter “genre.” (Or even if you grew up with the Genesis classic.)
So, yeah, our review score for the PS5 version is just the same as the Switch one. Don’t miss it, Empire fans! (Or if you just need a good shmup in your life.)
Get Steel-y
I do wish more extras were included to justify the slightly higher price over other games. But you still get a legendary favorite with The Legend of Steel Empire, done to the right standards by the devs. It’s fun to play, and a perfect entry into the genre for newcomers. Not to mention it looks great on the Switch, both in handheld and docked form.
Maybe it’s too soon to start bugging for ports of other Genesis games (Elimination Down, anyone?!), but if they’re done as well as The Legend of Steel Empire, I won’t mind them in the least.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
(Thanks to ININ Games for the review code!)
