Uploaded September 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
0:00 Intro
1:08 Chapter 1
3:56 Chapter 2
8:12 Chapter 3
14:17 Chapter 4
19:27 Chapter 5
24:55 Ending & Credits
Arcade Mode Clear: youtu.be/ToOrw4U29BE
Steel Assault is a new retro-style action platform game from Zenovia Interactive, and it's probably the best 'retro throwback' indie game that I've played so far. The pixel art is excellent, it has a great soundtrack that fits the action perfectly, the game moves at a fast pace, and it has a satisfying level of difficulty. Everything here is pretty well polished.
The most unique tool in your arsenal is the grappling hook - you can connect it between two surfaces and use it to cross long distances, avoid danger, or use it to add some extra height to your vertical jump. It takes some getting used to, though. At first, I was trying to use it like Bionic Commando's grappling hook, but it works differently. Once you realize that both ends of your hook has to latch onto a surface, it starts to make sense, and you'll stop wondering why it won't connect to any random platform you're aiming for. You're not forced to use it too often, but it can help make some difficult parts a bit easier if you try using it. It's fun to play with.
This playthrough was done in story mode, which lets you choose between multiple difficulties and save between stages. I've only played Normal and Expert mode; the main differences between them is the amount of checkpoints in each stage (Expert has none; if you die, you restart from the beginning of the level), the damage you take, and how hard some attacks are to deal with. The differences aren't huge, but I think most people will be satisfied whether they just want to go through the game, or are looking for more of a challenge.
I'd highly recommend Steel Assault if you're a fan of action platform games. It's currently available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch - hopefully it'll come to Playstation and Xbox in the future. It'd be great if everybody could easily play it.
steelassault.com
store.steampowered.com/app/1280300/Steel_Assault
nintendo.com/games/detail/steel-assault-switch
Thanks to Tribute Games for providing me with a key for coverage!
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Beat 'em Ups (e.g. Final Fight): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvMhpG1GR9sk8OYiWQMZZTgl
2D Action (e.g. Metal Slug): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvNFjpnJ59Th6N0IU1PSpD3d
STG/Shmups (e.g. Dodonpachi): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE6B3779BE759F71
0:00 Intro
1:08 Chapter 1
3:56 Chapter 2
8:12 Chapter 3
14:17 Chapter 4
19:27 Chapter 5
24:55 Ending & Credits
Arcade Mode Clear: youtu.be/ToOrw4U29BE
Steel Assault is a new retro-style action platform game from Zenovia Interactive, and it's probably the best 'retro throwback' indie game that I've played so far. The pixel art is excellent, it has a great soundtrack that fits the action perfectly, the game moves at a fast pace, and it has a satisfying level of difficulty. Everything here is pretty well polished.
The most unique tool in your arsenal is the grappling hook - you can connect it between two surfaces and use it to cross long distances, avoid danger, or use it to add some extra height to your vertical jump. It takes some getting used to, though. At first, I was trying to use it like Bionic Commando's grappling hook, but it works differently. Once you realize that both ends of your hook has to latch onto a surface, it starts to make sense, and you'll stop wondering why it won't connect to any random platform you're aiming for. You're not forced to use it too often, but it can help make some difficult parts a bit easier if you try using it. It's fun to play with.
This playthrough was done in story mode, which lets you choose between multiple difficulties and save between stages. I've only played Normal and Expert mode; the main differences between them is the amount of checkpoints in each stage (Expert has none; if you die, you restart from the beginning of the level), the damage you take, and how hard some attacks are to deal with. The differences aren't huge, but I think most people will be satisfied whether they just want to go through the game, or are looking for more of a challenge.
I'd highly recommend Steel Assault if you're a fan of action platform games. It's currently available on Steam and the Nintendo Switch - hopefully it'll come to Playstation and Xbox in the future. It'd be great if everybody could easily play it.
steelassault.com
store.steampowered.com/app/1280300/Steel_Assault
nintendo.com/games/detail/steel-assault-switch
Thanks to Tribute Games for providing me with a key for coverage!
-----
Beat 'em Ups (e.g. Final Fight): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvMhpG1GR9sk8OYiWQMZZTgl
2D Action (e.g. Metal Slug): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvNFjpnJ59Th6N0IU1PSpD3d
STG/Shmups (e.g. Dodonpachi): youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE6B3779BE759F71
![[SNES] Batman Returns - No Death Clear (Mania Difficulty)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/tUfAvh_HVWE/mqdefault.jpg "[SNES] Batman Returns - No Death Clear (Mania Difficulty)
Batman Returns is a beat em up that Konami developed for the SNES back in 1992. It follows the events of the movie, although they take some creative liberties with the characters and progression in order to make a fun game out of it. And they did an excellent job! This is one of the best games on the SNES, one of the best console beat em ups, and probably the best Batman game ever made (I need to play the NES ones again). Theres really not much to criticize about it - they did a great job in every single area, from gameplay, to graphics, music, enemy design, pacing, difficulty - you name it. Im not really sure if this game is widely seen as a classic, but I feel like its underrated by every possible audience for it. Its absolutely great.
This is a no death clear on the highest difficulty, Mania. In this mode, Konami does the typical console game thing of giving you tons of lives, and leaving very few healing items throughout the stages (there are more on lower difficulties). I really dislike this design because it makes just clearing the game easy and unsatisfying, so you have to go all in and go for a deathless run in order to get a fun challenge out of it. And at least in Mania mode, most of the enemies do a lot of damage if they land a hit on you. Some bosses can even do 50-75% of your HP in one shot. So you really need to put in some work and memorize the hard parts, figure out good strategies for the bosses (the first Catwoman, and especially the Penguin fight is very tricky on Mania difficulty), and play carefully when you need to. Its fun, but Id have liked it balanced a little differently. But regardless, its a great game that every fan of beat em ups, or Batman in general should try out.
0:00 Intro
4:35 Scene 1 — Ambush in Gotham Plaza
9:40 Scene 2 — Battle in the Streets of Gotham City
17:07 Scene 3 — On the Prowl
21:20 Scene 4 — The Penguins Trap
26:03 Scene 5 — To the Batmobile!
29:37 Scene 6 — Circus Train
34:34 Scene 7 — The Penguins Lair
41:35 Ending & Credits
I played this on the BSNES emulator, but watching the replay back, it looks a little choppy at points. Maybe this emulator doesnt play nice with OBS? Im kinda annoyed about that to be honest. I own the game on the SNES, but playing on my PC is a lot more convenient for a bunch of reasons... Maybe Ill try a different emulator next time. Oh well.
Beat em Ups (e.g. Final Fight): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvMhpG1GR9sk8OYiWQMZZTgl
2D Action (e.g. Metal Slug): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfI6IYca_kvNFjpnJ59Th6N0IU1PSpD3d
STG/Shmups (e.g. Dodonpachi): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFE6B3779BE759F71")
