Narrative-driven RPGs have been a huge success in the industry over the past few years, and this is especially true for games willing to experiment with unusual settings and mechanical twists. While many games rely on familiar tropes, some developers are taking a completely different and unique direction. ether and ironTactical RPG coming soon steam Seismic Squirrel's game is one of the latest examples of mixing character-driven storytelling and turn-based strategy in the impressive world of Decopunk.
The game, which launches on Steam on March 31, takes players to an alternate version of 1930s New York City. There, anti-gravity technology lifted entire roads, vehicles, and even neighborhoods into the sky. The result is a multi-layered metropolis filled with criminal networks, political tensions, and high-risk smuggling operations. Between its choice-driven storytelling and strategic combat system, the game is already drawing comparisons to RPG heavyweights such as: Baldur's Gate 3 and Disco Elysium While still making progress.
An RPG where role-playing is more important than statistics
Good stats are nice, but the real deal lies in the big choices and dialogue options in an RPG that emphasizes role-playing.
The 1930s setting is the biggest attraction of the upcoming Steam game Aether & Iron
One of the most immediately noticeable aspects is ether and iron That's the setting. The game takes direct inspiration from the Art Deco architecture and cultural identity of 1930s New York City, but filters this through the lens of speculation that anti-gravity technology has reshaped the entire city. Instead of traditional streets and skylines, players explore a floating metropolis where vehicles glide through the air and towering structures rise above dangling infrastructure. The technology that made this possible has also deepened the city's social divisions, creating a world dominated by powerful industrial conglomerates, while underground networks of smugglers and rebels fight for survival.
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The game has amazing art direction that enhances the atmosphere of the game. The characters are depicted in bold, striking silhouettes reminiscent of 1930s detective comics. The environments, meanwhile, rely heavily on stylish depunk design. The aesthetic makes the world feel historical and futuristic at the same time. ether and iron It's a visual identity that sets it apart from traditional RPG settings.
Tactical combat unfolds from the driver's seat
Although its narrative focus can be compared to other story-heavy RPGs, ether and iron It introduces a unique twist on tactical gameplay: vehicle combat. Players take on the role of a smuggler navigating the city's dangerous underworld. This means that a reliable escape plan is as important as a competent crew. Turn-based combat centers around cars powered by the “ether”, with various controls and upgrades that affect the outcome during combat. You can customize your vehicle to suit different play styles, including features such as:
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Hidden compartments for smuggling contraband
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Smoke distributor for evasive maneuvers
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Heavy armor plating for durability
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Aggressive upgrades like flamethrowers
These modifications can dramatically change the way combat unfolds. Some players may prefer speed and mobility for a quick escape, while others may prefer heavily armored vehicles to dominate the confrontation. By focusing tactical gameplay around custom rides, ether and iron It offers a very different combat experience than most turn-based RPGs today.
Aether & Iron emphasizes choices, dice rolls, and character development.
Beyond the battle system, ether and iron It also relies heavily on narrative-driven gameplay. Throughout the story, players recruit a team of fellows, each with their own talents, backgrounds, and personal tendencies. Character progression centers around three main abilities:
- push each otherRepresents street smarts and resourcefulness.
- smartAssociated with intelligence and problem solving
- brassReflects confidence and threat
These statistics affect both combat and conversation interactions. As with many tabletop-inspired RPGs, results are not guaranteed. Even well-prepared characters can rely on the luck of their dice rolls. This design philosophy reflects the game's unpredictability: Disco ElysiumCharacter statistics often shape dialogue and narrative outcomes. At the same time, its party-based structure and choice-driven storytelling invites comparisons to games like: Baldur's Gate 3This is where companions and player decisions have a huge impact on the world.
Steam's new RPG is like Dungeons & Dragons meets Disco Elysium.
This new CRPG on Steam blends what's best about Dungeons & Dragons and Disco Elysium: narrative depth, dialogue-driven gameplay, and plenty of chaos from D20.
Aether & Iron might be one of Steam's most polished and surprising RPGs to look out for this year.
Between the Depunk aesthetic, choice-driven storytelling, and unique vehicle combat system. ether and iron It's already standing out among the upcoming RPGs on Steam. The mix of narrative ambition and tactical gameplay may feel familiar to fans of modern role-playing hits, but the setting and mechanics give the game a distinct personality. If the game successfully implements the idea, ether and iron You could carve out a niche for yourself as one of the most visually unique and mechanically creative RPGs coming to Steam in 2026.
Best of all, Aether & Iron's writing team delivers a serious RPG experience.
Another promising sign ether and iron Pedigree of an experienced writing team. Developers who participated This project has previously worked on the following games: mass effect, Far Cryand Sovereign SyndicateIt suggests a focus on narrative depth and character-driven storytelling. This emphasis is enhanced by full voice acting, allowing players to experience the game's alternate history New York through a variety of characters, with stories ranging from humorous to philosophical and tragic. As players explore the city's multi-tiered districts, they uncover secrets buried beneath its spectacular skyline, navigating corruption, rebellion, and changing alliances along the way.
