If you’re a gamer who thrives on intense battles, dark lore, and unforgiving challenges, you’ve probably dipped your toes into the Soulslike genre at some point. Games like Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring have built entire fan communities around their brutal combat and cryptic storytelling. But every now and then, a new contender emerges—something fresh, something bold, something that doesn’t just copy the formula, but reinvents it.
Enter Steelrising—a beautifully twisted blend of mechanical mayhem and revolutionary spirit. Developed by the French studio Spiders, known for its RPG roots in GreedFall and The Technomancer, this title plunges you into an alternate 18th-century Paris, where the guillotine isn’t the only thing slicing through the resistance. Here, the mad King Louis XVI has unleashed an army of merciless automatons to crush the uprising, and the fate of the Revolution hangs by a thread. But hope still breathes—though it’s encased in steel.
You play as Aegis, a fierce, elegant automaton crafted by a genius engineer to serve and protect Queen Marie Antoinette. But Aegis is no mere machine. She’s a weapon, a warrior, and, maybe, a savior. Your mission? Cut through gears and tyranny alike to stop the mechanical massacre and turn the tide of history.
What makes Steelrising stand out isn’t just its killer concept—it’s how seamlessly it combines heart-pounding Soulslike gameplay with deep character customization, an atmospheric world dripping with steampunk aesthetics, and a narrative that reimagines history through a darker, more twisted lens. This game doesn’t just challenge your combat skills—it immerses you in a dystopian revolution where every cobblestone hides a secret and every corner could mean death.
Whether you’re a battle-hardened Soulslike veteran looking for your next obsession or a newcomer seeking a brutal but fair RPG with some seriously unique flair, Steelrising is a must-play. So grab your controller, take a deep breath, and get ready to wage war not just against machines—but against fate itself.
A Gripping Tale Set in an Alternate Parisian French Revolution
Imagine a version of Paris where the very heart of the Revolution is being ripped apart—not by political factions or foreign invaders, but by ruthless machines. The people aren’t just fighting for liberty and bread—they’re fighting for their lives, hunted in the streets by the cold, unfeeling creations of a mad king. This is the grim reality of Steelrising, a tale where history takes a sharp detour into nightmare.
In this alternate timeline, the year is 1789. France is boiling with unrest, as it was in real life—but here, the threat isn’t just tyranny, it’s mechanical tyranny. King Louis XVI, gripped by paranoia and desperation, has turned to forbidden technology to preserve his rule. Instead of muskets and mounted troops, his weapon of choice is an army of deadly automatons. Programmed to obey without question and destroy without hesitation, these towering, clanking beasts patrol the bloodied cobblestones of Paris, silencing rebellion one execution at a time.
The story begins with Aegis, a masterpiece of engineering created by the legendary inventor Vaucanson. But she’s not just any automaton—she was designed to protect Queen Marie Antoinette herself. As the queen finds herself effectively imprisoned, unable to trust even her own court, she secretly dispatches Aegis on a mission that could change the course of the revolution: find Vaucanson, unravel the mystery behind the automaton uprising, and stop the King’s mechanical madness at its source.
What unfolds is a narrative rich with intrigue, betrayal, and personal struggle. Aegis isn’t simply a tool of war—she becomes the player’s lens into a broken world, and slowly, the game begins to hint that maybe, just maybe, there’s more to her than gears and code. Her journey isn’t just about defeating enemies—it’s about discovering her own purpose. Can a machine carry a revolution? Can something artificial find meaning in a world drowning in chaos?
You’ll encounter historical figures along the way—Lafayette, Robespierre, Marie Antoinette—but not as you know them. These aren’t just cameos or background filler. Each plays a role in the twisted political game that defines this fractured France. Loyalties are uncertain, and agendas shift like smoke. One moment you’re aiding a revolutionary, the next you’re questioning their morality. These interactions blur the line between good and evil, painting a world where every decision feels weighty, every alliance feels fragile.
The brilliance of Steelrising’s story lies in how it blends fact and fiction. Yes, the automatons are fantastical, but the emotional core of the revolution—the desperation, the courage, the fury—remains chillingly authentic. The oppression feels real. The violence is personal. And because you’re playing as someone outside of humanity looking in, you gain a perspective that’s both powerful and heartbreaking.
This isn’t a story about overthrowing a king—it’s about challenging fate, about rewriting a doomed history with fire and steel. It’s about resistance in the face of hopelessness. It’s about a machine designed to follow orders learning what it means to disobey for the sake of justice.
Steelrising doesn’t just reimagine the French Revolution. It reinvents it. And it asks you, the player, how far you’re willing to go to free a world shackled by madness.
Aegis the Automaton: More Than Just Gears and Metal
At first glance, Aegis is a marvel of mechanical engineering—a shining clockwork creation, crafted with elegance and purpose. But as you play through Steelrising, it becomes clear that she’s far more than a walking weapon. She’s the heart of the story, a protagonist unlike any other in the genre: part soldier, part sentinel, and part silent philosopher trying to find meaning in the chaos of a collapsing world.
Created by the brilliant but elusive Eugène de Vaucanson, Aegis was designed as a bodyguard for Queen Marie Antoinette. Unlike the violent automatons unleashed by King Louis XVI, Aegis is a work of art—both deadly and beautiful, with fluid movements and an almost balletic grace in combat. She wasn’t built for destruction, but for protection, for loyalty. And now, in a world where machines have turned against their creators, she must become the very thing she was never meant to be: a savior.
But what makes Aegis truly fascinating isn’t just her combat abilities—it’s her journey. As a character, she’s a blank slate at the beginning. She doesn’t speak much, and her emotions aren’t overt. But through gameplay, narrative choices, and the way she interacts with the world, you begin to see her evolve. She starts to question orders, form bonds, and even reflect on the moral weight of her actions. It’s subtle, yet powerful storytelling that transforms her from a mere automaton into a symbol of hope—and perhaps, rebellion.
Gameplay-wise, Aegis is fully customizable, allowing you to shape her identity through combat style, abilities, and upgrades. Want her to be a fearless tank, soaking up damage with heavy armor and massive weapons? You can do that. Prefer a nimble assassin, darting around enemies and dealing precise blows? That’s an option too. Or maybe you’re drawn to elemental mastery, using fire, frost, and lightning to manipulate the battlefield? All of this is possible, thanks to a deep and flexible progression system.
Each weapon you choose isn’t just a tool—it’s a reflection of how you see Aegis. From dual batons crackling with electricity to ornate fans that slice through air and flesh, every item brings its own feel, animations, and strategic nuance. You’re not just leveling up a character—you’re crafting a fighting style, a rhythm, a presence on the battlefield.
Even in combat, Aegis feels unique. Her animations are purposefully elegant—every spin, parry, and counterstrike feels mechanical yet expressive. You’re reminded constantly that she isn’t human, but she moves with more grace and intentionality than most flesh-and-blood protagonists. And when you execute a perfect combo or dodge a fatal strike by a hair? It feels like a waltz of war—precise, brutal, and beautiful.
What’s especially compelling is that Aegis is the only automaton fighting for humanity. Her enemies are machines like her—automatons once created to serve, now corrupted into agents of oppression. There’s an underlying tragedy in that. Every fight is a confrontation with what she could have become. And as you explore the ruins of a once-great city, littered with the wreckage of war and abandoned automatons, you start to realize: Aegis is fighting not just to save Paris, but to prove that machines can choose a different path.
There are also emotional layers woven into the gameplay. Aegis interacts with key figures like Marie Antoinette and Robespierre, and although she rarely speaks, her presence commands respect. These moments humanize her further, showing that even those around her begin to see her not as a tool—but as a person. A being with agency, with judgment, and with a growing understanding of the world’s pain.
By the time the credits roll, Aegis has undergone a transformation. Not just in power or equipment, but in meaning. She starts off as a protector following orders and ends up as a revolutionary who chooses to stand for something greater than herself. It’s rare to see character development portrayed so effectively in a silent protagonist—but Steelrising pulls it off beautifully.
So no, Aegis isn’t just gears and metal. She’s conviction shaped in brass, grace forged in violence, and the spark of rebellion in a city gone dark. She’s a machine, yes—but one with the potential to inspire players in a way that few RPG heroes ever do.
Explore the Dark Beauty of Paris During Its Bleakest Hour
What truly sets Steelrising apart is its setting. Paris has never looked like this. Forget postcards and romance—this version is bleak, twisted, and absolutely mesmerizing. You’ll explore rooftops and catacombs, lavish palaces turned to battlegrounds, and alleyways dripping in blood and oil.
Thanks to your grappling hook and dash abilities, vertical exploration plays a huge role. Climb up ancient walls, leap over barricades, and discover shortcuts and secrets tucked into the city’s bones. Don’t expect a traditional minimap either. You’ll rely on a compass and your own sense of direction. Sound intimidating? It is. But it also makes every discovery feel earned.
The level design rewards curious players. Hidden rooms, alternate paths, and clever environmental storytelling are everywhere. And as you progress, previously locked areas open up, making backtracking surprisingly enjoyable.
Unique Game Mechanics That Refresh the Soulslike Formula
While Steelrising borrows heavily from the Soulslike rulebook, it doesn’t play it by the numbers. Instead, it throws in fresh mechanics to spice things up.
One standout is the Assist Mode. It’s not your typical “easy mode”—it’s fully customizable. Hate losing progress after death? Turn that off. Need faster stamina regen? You got it. Want less incoming damage? Done. This system allows you to enjoy the core game without rage-quitting after the fifth death in 10 minutes.
Then there’s rapid cooling—a mechanic that adds a tense moment to every fight. Press the button at the right time and regain your stamina instantly. Fail, and you risk freezing mid-fight. It’s like pulling the emergency brake on your car—nerve-wracking but often necessary.
These additions make Steelrising feel less punishing and more strategic. You’re not just swinging wildly and hoping for the best. You’re planning, learning, adapting. It’s Soulslike combat with a brain—and a soul.
Release Date, Supported Platforms, and Final Thoughts on Steelrising
Steelrising was officially released on September 8, 2022, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It was developed by Spiders, a studio known for crafting intricate, story-driven RPGs, and published by Nacon. While it might not have launched with the same fanfare as other triple-A Soulslikes, it has carved out its own identity—and honestly, it deserves way more attention than it gets.
This isn’t just another dark fantasy. It’s a rare gem that manages to blend historical fiction with challenging combat and a beautifully tragic atmosphere. You’re not simply slashing your way through mobs of enemies—you’re stepping into a world on the brink of collapse. You’re witnessing a reimagined Revolution unfold through the eyes of a machine learning what it means to fight, to serve, and maybe even to care.
Everything about Steelrising—from its gritty alternate history, mechanically elegant combat, and uniquely customizable gameplay to its cinematic level design and rich character interactions—feels thoughtfully crafted. It respects your intelligence, challenges your reflexes, and never wastes your time. And it does all of this while asking a deeper question beneath the chaos: What if the fate of an entire revolution rested not on men—but on metal?
Whether you’re in it for the high-stakes boss fights, the deep lore, the hauntingly beautiful environments, or the thrill of discovering secret paths and forgotten courtyards—Steelrising delivers. And with the inclusion of Assist Mode, it opens its doors to players of all skill levels, proving that a game can be punishing without being exclusionary.
So if you’re looking for a game that doesn’t just challenge your fingers but also engages your mind and imagination, Steelrising is absolutely worth your time. It’s the kind of game that stays with you—not just because of its difficulty, but because of the story it dares to tell, and the world it boldly brings to life.
Revolution awaits, warrior. And Paris won’t save itself.
FAQs about Steelrising
- Is Steelrising suitable for players new to Soulslike games?
Yes! Thanks to the Assist Mode, new players can tweak difficulty elements to better suit their comfort level without sacrificing the overall experience. - How long does it take to complete Steelrising?
On average, most players can expect to spend around 15–20 hours for a standard playthrough, with additional time for exploration and side quests. - Can I customize my character in Steelrising?
While you can’t change Aegis’s physical appearance, you can extensively customize her combat style, stats, and weapon loadouts. - Does Steelrising have any multiplayer or co-op features?
No, Steelrising is a single-player experience focused on storytelling and personal challenge. - What makes Steelrising different from other Soulslike games?
Its unique setting in an alternate French Revolution, customizable difficulty via Assist Mode, and the rapid cooling stamina mechanic make Steelrising stand out in a crowded genre.