Steel Century Groove looks set to sweep us off our feet later this year

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In November, we shared news about an upcoming Role-Playing Game titled “Steel Century Groove“. This unique game features combat based on rhythmic dance battles between colossal robots. As expected, we’ve been excitedly looking forward to learning more about it.

This past week, we finally got the opportunity to test it out for ourselves. Let’s dive right in – the combat system, as I suspect many others were curious about how they would combine a rhythm game and an RPG battle system. To my surprise, it appears that the mech you choose for battle plays a significant role in shaping the game’s combat. During our demonstration, we got to explore two distinct mechs, each with unique quirks that can significantly impact the way battles unfold within the game.

The initial machine we employed had a design heavily emphasizing cooldown periods. In the center of the screen, there’s an energy bar, which depletes when regular actions are performed. Only when notes appear on the screen can you perform actions. For this particular machine, mastering the game involves managing your energy wisely by alternating moves that recharge your energy and those that drain it to accumulate Acclaim.

In dance competitions, acclaim is always present. Steel Century Groove isn’t a traditional RPG where you attack your rival with giant robots; instead, it’s about showcasing your moves to the rhythm, attempting to outdo your partner in skill. Unlike characters with health bars, dancers in this game accumulate “Acclaim” based on their successful dance moves. The aim of each battle is to fill the Acclaim meter on your side of the screen faster than your opponent’s, not necessarily to defeat them, although some robots do possess attacks that can lower an opponent’s Acclaim level.

Apart from the primary moves, there are some extra mechanics to keep in mind with the first robot. One of these is an action with a long cool-down period that provides a large amount of recognition points all at once. However, you can wait out this cool-down, but during different parts of the song, the bottom corner of the screen will show a list of your opponents’ upcoming dance moves on each note. If you use another quick cool-down move when your opponent is idle, you can instantly recharge the other cool-down, enabling you to accumulate recognition points more efficiently.

This second dancer operates in an unusual manner compared to the first. Instead of predefined moves, each song segment provides a new set of moves that can be swapped. Unlike the initial dancer who relies on stored energy, this one demands active engagement from the player. The player must think quickly and adapt to the provided moves; moreover, this dancer’s cooldowns enable trading one action for a boost in the other, creating an opportunity to enhance actions during specific song sections if you make quick decisions, thus increasing overall performance.

As I advance my in-game dancer character, I earn followers from sharing my dance routines on the game’s social media platform. With each level up, I unlock fresh dance moves and passive abilities that enhance my performance. By conquering key battles, I can unlock mod slots to customize my dancer with specific perks. Some of these passive abilities incorporate additional song mechanics, such as a sequence of notes that grant me a buff when correctly inputted, among other rewards.

Beyond combat scenarios, the experience revolves around a role-playing game reminiscent of Pokemon. The narrative details were limited in the preview, but the dialogue snippets hint at an engaging storyline. The diverse social media post options following battles are endearing, with even the antagonist character serving as our dedicated foe. Graphically, the game appears appealing, and running smoothly on Steam Deck, which was the setup for the preview. As its release date approaches later this year, Steel Century Groove is definitely worth keeping an eye on, making it a must-watch title for you too.

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2025-03-19 21:26