Starni Games turn-based mech roguelite brings together modular machines, mining outpost defenses and a campaign across a number of hostile worlds.
Today I’m introducing another interesting strategy game involving mechs and everything that comes with them, including gigantic creatures to fight, because otherwise, what would be the point of having a giant mech, right?
Starni Games and publisher Palaye have just released a 12-minute developer walkthrough for STEEL CORE, giving a much more in-depth look at the game’s blend of mech customization, base building and turn-based combat. It’s out ahead of the game’s first closed playtest which kicks off on November 5th.
In STEEL CORE you’re in charge of a mech squad that’s been hired to protect a mining operation from the Xenoinsects. The aim is to keep the operation intact, and the day is spent on the usual activities of assembling machines, doing research, and building defenses. At dusk, intelligence will tell you where the next attack is coming from, and that gives you a chance to position your squad prior to the nighttime fighting.
Mech construction allows you to swap out chassis, arms, legs, shoulder mounts and internal cartridges with room for up to four weapons on each machine. You can add micro-modules and have a degree of randomization too. The available kit includes long-range Gauss cannons, jetpacks for repositioning, and paired flamethrowers for close-range combat.
Combat is on a grid and uses action points. Terrain and firing lines all come into play on each turn. Grenades can be lobbed over obstacles and flames, and toxic smoke is available as further means of battlefield control. Outposts provide defensive capability via walls, gates, automated turrets and watchtowers which the mechs can take up.
You should think about infrastructure investment and mech improvement with limited resources. Power shortages will force you to make choices as to which of your buildings you can actually run. You can also pick up Fibonite from the aliens you kill and use that to upgrade your machines. So it’s very much a case of battlefield success leading to further upgrades.
The roguelite campaign takes the operation between planets and moons (jungle, ice, lava, acid etc). Research carries over as the deployments get harder, with new threats and bosses to contend with and thus requiring a change in approach.
STEEL CORE is slated for PC via Steam in Q1 2027. Anyone interested in the November 5th closed playtest can apply for access via the Steam page. Below is the gameplay walkthrough video.
