Steel Diver

 3DS
Metascore
58

Mixed or average reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 43 out of 55
  3. Negative: 8 out of 55
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  1. GameSpot
    Mar 25, 2011
    45
    This tedious underwater adventure is as short on content as it is on thrills.
  2. Gameblog.fr
    May 12, 2011
    40
    After the first gimmicky 3D visual effect wears off, you end up with a rushed out game which feels more like a tech demo than a real game that lives up to what you can expect from a 3DS. The story mode has too few missions, and shows in and of itself the overall lack of content and ambition of the game. And, neither the Battleship nor the Periscope modes can make up for it. The periscope sequences are the only element trying to make use of the gyroscope function of the console, but it turns out to be rather inefficient handling. All in all, we end up with a game that could have been released in the early DS days, certainly to a more impactful reception, at times where the stylus was still considered an innovation.
  3. VideoGamer
    May 9, 2011
    40
    Incredibly, this is an in-house attempt and a £40 launch window title. If Steel Diver is an example of how the Big N is planning to treat first-party 3DS games in the months to come, the future is bleak indeed.
  5. Game Informer
    Mar 25, 2011
    40
    Maybe some gamers will be pulled into the aquatic world of Steel Diver despite the limited content, tech demo quality, and seemingly broken multiplayer. For the majority of Nintendo fans, though, it's destined to become a strange and forgotten footnote in the publisher's history.
  6. Play.tm
    May 27, 2011
    37
    Steel Diver fails to offer a lasting and enjoyable experience.
  7. Gamereactor Denmark
    Jun 17, 2011
    30
    You can see everything Steel Diver has to offer within the first hour, and it never seems to find its footing in regards to either gameplay or design choices. If the horrible sound doesn't scare you off, the confusing controls probably will.
  8. Metro GameCentral
    May 4, 2011
    30
    For a brand new Nintendo franchise this is short not just on content, but also compelling gameplay and a sense of fun.
  9. GameShark
    Apr 21, 2011
    25
    Steel Diver is a very odd choice as a launch game. It's a new IP, which is great, but it doesn't exactly scream mass appeal. The 3D is used effectively, making it look like you're peering into a fish tank, complete with beautifully done dynamic backgrounds, but you can also turn it off and not have the experience change much at all. Mostly though, the biggest problem is that it's short, dull and entirely too easy. While any one of those would cause the game to spring a leak, all three sinks it right to the bottom.

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best 3DS Game of 2011
32
#32 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
65
#65 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 33
  3. Negative: 8 out of 33
  1. MW1AA2Gs
    Aug 26, 2013
    4
    It seems that Steel Diver was made not to make a good game but to show off what the 3DS could do in terms of how you control the game (bigIt seems that Steel Diver was made not to make a good game but to show off what the 3DS could do in terms of how you control the game (big examples being the switches to move and the wolf gang like part in the game) but just because it was innovative doesn't mean it's good.… Full Review »
  2. sirnicolay
    Jun 25, 2011
    6
    There's so much potential in this game yet the difficulty of controls make this a bit forgettable. It's my least played game in my collection so far.
  3. doginmylense
    Mar 28, 2011
    8
    Overall this is a great game for the 3DS it uses touchscreen controls where you act as a submarine commander. Some could argue that this isOverall this is a great game for the 3DS it uses touchscreen controls where you act as a submarine commander. Some could argue that this is more of a tech demo then a game but I disagree. Nintendo has added Steel commander mode which is a lot of fun. It is a more simplified version of advanced wars but under water. The sonar component is well designed and the game offers an achievement system in the form of decals that upgrade your sub and change the gameplay. The 3D effect is beautiful and you really feel like your looking into the ocean as if it were a little take placed in your 3DS. If you want to play something totally unique that you have not played before this is well worth picking up. It uses every bit of your 3DS hardware in it's gameplay and it's just plain fun.… Full Review »
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