Steambot Chronicles

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 35
  3. Negative: 1 out of 35
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. IGN
    73
    The ton of slowdown and the touch and go controls for Trotmobiles leaves Steambot a decent, albeit flawed title for RPG fans.
  2. GameZone
    71
    If you’re a fan of all of the different types of gameplay, mecha combat and rhythm gaming in particular, then you should give Steambot Chronicles a try.
  3. GameSpot
    71
    Steambot Chronicles comes with a few blemishes, but it offers a variety of minigames and a malleable story wrapped in a charming little world.
  5. Game Chronicles
    71
    It’s undeniably charming, fun despite its problems, and laugh out loud funny at times.
  6. Play UK
    71
    The building your own mech aspect is good enough, but the rest of the game is let down by the shallowness of the twee characters, unwieldy combat and simple plot. [Issue 143, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. GamesRadar+
    70
    Even with its lumps, Steambot Chronicles is still full of lovable personality.
  8. Worth Playing
    70
    Steambot Chronicles was a great idea that just wasn't realized to its full potential. You have everything customizable, from clothes to trotmobiles to jobs, but it is ultimately brought down by slow gameplay.
  9. Digital Entertainment News
    70
    If you haven't done so already, do yourself a favor and get a copy of "Dark Cloud 2," which plays a bit like this and is a lot better. Steambot Chronicles isn't a bad game - it's just not very good.
  10. Eurogamer
    70
    Nevertheless, the sum of these parts makes this a fun place and all the raw materials provided to put together your own unique adventure are imaginative and enjoyable - all you can really ask for in a sandbox.
  11. GamerFeed
    70
    A charming little adventure that deserves to find an audience for its creativity and its endless list of adventures to complete.
  12. PSM Magazine
    70
    Full of innocent charm and fun, the Steambot Chronicles are worth a bit of frustration. [Aug 2006, p.85]
    All this publication's reviews
  13. Edge Magazine
    70
    Attempting to race beyond its own predetermined speed limits only results in frustration, but given the time to slow-burn and settle in at its own tempo the immensity of its offerings will rarely disappoint. [Aug 2006, p.87]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. games(TM)
    70
    Stubbornly quirky, unashamedly inventive, strangely relaxed and only a little bit broken, Steambot Chronicles is a game quite unlike anything else out there at the moment. [Aug 2006, p.122]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Gaming Target
    70
    All the fun ideas and uniqueness of the game are marred by the actual execution.
  16. PSM3 Magazine UK
    70
    A light-hearted but patchy take on RPG free-roaming, with a personality that will suffocate or delight. [Oct 2006, p.84]
    All this publication's reviews
  17. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    70
    Steambot isn't as polished or as deep as "Dragon Quest" or "Final Fantasy", but it's still a charming curiosity laden with fresh ideas. [Oct 2006, p.88]
    All this publication's reviews
  18. G4 TV
    60
    Whether it's the charming, funny dialogue (which, apart from the clumsy song lyrics, is translated well), the pretty landscapes, the fact that even if you lose most of the Trotmobile fights the game keeps going... there's always a reason to pick it back up and push on.
  19. GamePro
    60
    Aside from the junky control scheme and bizarre naming conventions, Steambot is a vast RPG title. [Jun 2006, p.86]
  20. Game Informer
    55
    The characters are shallow(amnesia strikes again), and the combat utilizes a clunkier version of the "Katamari Damacy" dual-analog controls. [May 2006, p.101]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

51
#51 Best PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 4 out of 29
  1. Razzee
    May 24, 2019
    9
    Steambot Chronicles is an unique experience. Very early in the game, you're introduced to a mecha whose legs are controlled separately by eachSteambot Chronicles is an unique experience. Very early in the game, you're introduced to a mecha whose legs are controlled separately by each analog button (similar to both treads of a tank), and it may be frustrating at the start, but you get used to it fast and start to like it. The story is non-linear, with choices given to you during most events of the game. Some do not make any difference, others allow you to join a bandit faction, turning the protagonist into a villain, for example. Customizing your trotmobile is very fun, as there are many different components to buy and collect. Playing instruments is not so soothing as it could be, since the English voice actors apparently had no experience with singing at all, and even in the Japanese version (which is hard to find on the Internet) songs are sung in the same unpleasant to hear English. No dual-audio option. There are some side-quests, but good luck trying to trigger and finishing them by your own, since it's too convoluted and time consuming of a task to know what to do next, without resorting to a guide. Moving inside cities with your trotmobile is always a sleep-inducing travel. Well, there are many good and bad things regarding this game, but it's a consensus among who played it that Steambot Chronicles was too ahead of its time when launched. I recommend playing the undub version of this game to make it a more enjoyable experience but, by all means, play Steambot Chronicles.… Full Review »
  2. GarrisonO.
    Oct 5, 2007
    10
    I can't think of anything bad to say about this game, and that's saying something. I've beaten it twice and plan to a third I can't think of anything bad to say about this game, and that's saying something. I've beaten it twice and plan to a third time. It is the best, most underrated game of the year. I'm not sure what the GameCritics reviewer was talking about when he mentioned an "awkward camera" and "stiff controls", because I think the dual-analog control scheme is inventive and intuitive, and the camera never bothered me. It was probably the best action RPG of 2006, and is, hands-down, the best RPG I've ever played. So what are you doing, just sitting there? Steambot Chronicles is only $20!!! Go play this game, now!!!… Full Review »
  3. AndersS.
    Jun 23, 2006
    9
    A great "sandbox" game with a flew flaws that can be overlooked easily because the game is so charming its impossible not to love it!
See all user reviews »