Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Stainless Steel delivers a high-octane, vertically scrolling shooter experience that blends on-foot combat with vehicular mayhem. You start each level on foot as Ricky Steel, navigating a gauntlet of helicopters, enemy walkers, and flying drones. The moment you reach your Class A101 armoured Nightwind car, the action shifts seamlessly into a Spy Hunter–style road chase, demanding split-second reactions and precise steering.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The controls are elegantly simple yet surprisingly deep. Pushing the joystick or directional pad forward accelerates your vehicle while pulling back reverses—you’ll need both to dodge incoming fire, outmaneuver heavy android tanks, and weave through tight terrain. While on foot, the mechanical arm lets you fire rapid bursts of bullets, giving you a fighting chance against swarms of airborne threats before you make it to the Nightwind.

Each of the four sections introduces a new twist to the formula. The second stage sends you into open water, where you bomb submarines and dodge torpedoes in an amphibious section that makes full use of the Nightwind’s design. The final showdown pits you against Dr. Vardos and his animal-shaped asteroid drones, testing every skill you’ve learned. The scanner along the bottom of the screen becomes indispensable, warning you of off-screen foes and incoming projectiles, while a toggleable shield and finite fuel supply add a layer of resource management to the relentless action.

Graphics

Visually, Stainless Steel evokes a gritty, post-apocalyptic landscape reminiscent of the Mad Max universe, but with its own metallic sheen. The barren wastes and rusted outposts feel lived-in, and the neon highlights on the Nightwind car stand out brilliantly against the muted desert backdrop. Enemy androids and helicopters are rendered with sharp pixel art that makes each model instantly recognizable.

Animation is smooth throughout, from the mechanical recoil of Steel’s arm cannon to the rolling waves during the submarine assault. Explosions are satisfyingly chunky, and debris flies convincingly as vehicles are torn apart. The water levels showcase reflective surfaces and rippling effects that push the hardware to its limits, demonstrating the developers’ attention to graphical detail.

The user interface is clean and unobtrusive, with a dedicated scanner readout at the bottom that displays incoming threats in real time. Fuel meters, shield indicators, and weapon icons are all clearly labeled, ensuring you spend less time deciphering HUD elements and more time immersed in the onslaught. Overall, Stainless Steel’s graphics strike an excellent balance between style and clarity.

Story

Stainless Steel sets its narrative in a harsh world teetering on the brink of collapse. Ricky Steel, a former military operative turned renegade, wields a custom Class A101 mechanical arm that doubles as his primary weapon. His prized possession, the Nightwind, an armoured and amphibious combat car, becomes his means of salvation as he fights to reclaim what’s left of civilization.

The antagonist, Dr. Vardos, is a mad scientist hell-bent on crushing humanity under a legion of ruthless androids. His motivations are shrouded in mystery, but his actions speak volumes: whole towns are razed, convoys are annihilated, and once-peaceful waterways become warzones. This conflict drives the game forward, giving each level a clear purpose beyond mere target practice.

While the narrative unfolds in brief cutscenes and mission intros, Stainless Steel excels at letting gameplay tell the story. Every bullet you fire, every dodge you pull off, and every boss you defeat brings you closer to the final confrontation with Vardos. The game never lingers on exposition, preferring to keep the pace brisk and the stakes sky-high.

Overall Experience

Stainless Steel is an adrenaline-fueled ride that will appeal to fans of classic arcade shooters and vehicular combat alike. Its blend of on-foot sections, high-speed chases, and underwater skirmishes keeps the gameplay fresh throughout, while the minimalist narrative provides just enough context to drive your missions home.

The difficulty curve is fair but demanding. Early stages ease you in, teaching basic controls and introducing the scanner, while later levels require mastery of shield timing, fuel conservation, and rapid target prioritization. This balance makes Stainless Steel both welcoming to newcomers and challenging for arcade veterans.

Ultimately, Stainless Steel stands out for its tight controls, striking visuals, and relentless pace. Whether you’re blasting through desert wastelands, skimming across open water, or hunting down Dr. Vardos himself, this game delivers a thrilling journey that’s hard to put down. For those seeking a modern twist on classic vertical shooters, Stainless Steel is a must-play adventure.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10