The Legend of Steel Empire is now available on PlayStation consoles. Its PS Store debut marks the end of The Legend of Steel Empire's Switch console exclusivity.
Originally released in 1992, Steel Empire—also known as Koutetsu Teikoku in Japan—is a Sega Genesis classic developed by now-defunct Tokyo-based studio HOT・B. The side-scrolling arcade shooter made its way to the Game Boy Advance and 3DS in 2004 and 2014, respectively. Japanese studio Medius remastered it for PC in 2018. Six years later, the company partnered with German publisher ININ Games on another version for the Switch, which expanded on its PC counterpart enough to warrant a new name: The Legend of Steel Empire.
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The Legend of Steel Empire Debuts on PlayStation Consoles
This latest and greatest version of the arcade shooter has expanded beyond Nintendo's hybrid console, making its way to the PS4 and PS5. As of October 9, The Legend of Steel Empire is available on the PS Store for $24.99, matching its eShop price. Roughly 24 hours into its release, the PlayStation port holds an impressive 4.73-star player rating, though based on just 15 reviews. The small sample size indicates that the day-one sales of The Legend of Steel Empire's PlayStation version were in the hundreds rather than thousands.
The Legend of Steel Empire lets players choose between piloting a nimble Striker plane or a more heavily armored Zeppelin with aerial mines. The machines are capable of firing from both the front and rear, making for some rather chaotic fights. Screen-clearing bombs—a staple of side-scrolling shmups—are also part of the package, together with a setting that blends steampunk and dieselpunk influences.
The Legend of Steel Empire features some distinctive presentational qualities. Its story is framed like an old war film, depicting a military dictatorship—the titular Steel Empire, also known as the Motorheads—enslaving most of humanity. The only nation resisting its rule is the Antarctica-based Republic of Silverhead. Though vastly smaller, Silverhead is technologically superior, making it a target for destruction. The Steel Empire, still reliant on coal- and steam-powered technology, views Silverhead’s atomic energy and other advanced capabilities as a threat that could inspire and catalyze global resistance.
The remaster expands on Steel Empire with the introduction of a leveling system paired with level scaling, placing an RPG twist on the classic side-scrolling shoot-em-up formula. Its arrival marks the end of the game's Nintendo Switch console exclusivity, which started in late January 2024. There are currently no indications that The Legend of Steel Empire will be coming to more platforms in the foreseeable future.
- Released
- January 23, 2024
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- ININ Games
- Publisher(s)
- ININ Games
- Nintendo Switch Release Date
- January 23, 2024
