Steamboy

The Steamball mechanic is surprisingly intuitive once you get the hang of it, and the steam-punk London skyline during mid-mission is something you’ll want to pause and admire. I’ve already sunk three evenings into it, and the pacing keeps me coming back for more.

I was blown away by how detailed the Victorian London environments look on PS2, and the Steamball puzzle sequences actually feel fresh after so many shooters. The controls took a minute to click, but once they did, the action really pulls you into the story.

The Steamball mechanic really drives the gameplay, and the way it powers up your gear mid-combat keeps every fight feeling fresh. It’s a shorter ride than I’d like, but the Otomo-style visuals and that Victorian London atmosphere make it worth the playthrough.