Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 81 | 44 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 85% | 78 | 281 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 86% | 80 | 39 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Aug 3, 2026) · 39 reviews sampled · 37 total reviews in window · weighted 27.8 up / 4.5 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (22)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 85
“Aether & Iron is a remarkable achievement that successfully blends genres and creates something genuinely fresh in the RPG space. Despite some technical rough edges and limited mechanical depth in certain areas, the game's strong narrative focus, innovative combat system, and gorgeous presentation make it an easy recommendation for players seeking something different from their RPG experiences. In a gaming landscape often dominated by sequels and safe choices, Aether & Iron dares to be different, and largely succeeds. This is exactly the kind of ambitious indie title that deserves support, and we're eager to see what Seismic Squirrel creates next in this fascinating universe., Flare”
read full review ↗ - 81
“If you can look past the technical struggles of Aether & Iron, you will find a gripping narrative fueled by colorful characters and an equally colorful world. Gia’s journey to find who she wants to be, and what she wants to do, gripped me from start to finish. The side characters are lovely and diverse, representing different walks of life throughout New York. The combat is fun and interactive, even if surprisingly difficult in moments. In the end, Aether & Iron is an experience worth having. Just know that nothing and no one is flawless in New York City.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“The story, voice acting, art, and music are outstanding in Aether and Iron. I also appreciate that the game takes a chance with its dice-rolling mechanic. However, I would have liked to see failures carry more weight from a narrative perspective, while still earning experience in the process.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Aether & Iron may be blunt and occasionally cliché, but its phenomenal writing makes it one of the strongest Disco-likes yet.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“While drawing inspiration from tabletop adventures, it certainly isn’t short on ideas, as it combines an alternate history 1930s decopunk setting with an intriguing turn-based combat system replicating car chases. Its fine use of noir stylings within its story and narrative helps give players an engaging experience, even if there are some missteps along the way.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Aether and Iron is a tactical, 1930s aesthetic, story infused game that is definitely worth checking out and playing. It ticks all the right boxes and the narrative is engaging enough to keep you coming back for more. Yes there’s a few trope-filled aspects with the writing but that’s expected given the genre. The game does have a demo available on Steam too so if you’re on the fence about this one, give the demo a try and see if it’s for you or not. Chances are, you’ll be hooked instantly by Gia’s personality and the surprisingly fun tactical gameplay. Aether and Iron is easily on of 2026’s best games already and I highly recommend it.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Aether & Iron is a very promising title that tells a highly compelling story of power and class, and is crowned with one of the most clever SRPG battle systems on the market. However, it is full of disruptive glitches and bugs that rear their heads far too frequently, which prevent the mind from fully engaging with the wonderful story. Signs indicate that the developers are quick to fix issues as they arise, so there is reason to believe they will get fixed over time. However, at the moment of writing, the flaws are too numerous to overlook. This makes it difficult to fully recommend the game to a wider audience than hardcore SRPG and aetherpunk dystopia fans. For those that love these aspects, though, there are few titles on the market that will scratch that itch as well as Aether & Iron.”
read full review ↗ - 89
“Aether & Iron is an ambitious RPG that places writing, atmosphere, and choice at the center of the experience. Set in a striking decopunk reimagining of 1930s New York, the game builds a morally complex world where social inequality, personal failure, and compromise are constant companions. Its greatest strength lies in how dialogue, dice-based decisions, and character perspective intertwine to create meaningful moments, even when failure is the outcome. While the turn-based vehicular combat may not appeal to everyone and some systems show the rough edges of a debut project, Aether & Iron's strong identity more than compensates. It is a game that rewards attention and patience, offering a memorable journey rather than easy gratification. For players looking for a story-driven RPG with personality and ambition, Aether & Iron is a compelling experience.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Aether & Iron is a stylish and ambitious narrative RPG set in a retrofuturistic 1930s New York. Its strongest elements are its rich worldbuilding, sharp social themes, and noir-inspired storytelling, driven by meaningful choices and an introspective protagonist. While its tactical combat and RPG systems take a back seat, the game excels where it matters most, delivering a cohesive, immersive experience that feels fresh and distinct.”
read full review ↗ - 66
“Aether & Iron looks like it will be a very big and unique RPG. Its story-driven decisions, innovative vehicle combat, and dice-based decision-making make for an experience that feels both new and well thought out.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Aether & Iron takes immense joy messing around in the noir decopunk playground it has constructed, and that joy is often infectious. Some polish, mechanical depth and omissions aside, Aether & Iron’s world and characters monologued their way into my heart, and the inventive tactical car combat, charming indulgence of tropes, and overall direction make for a glamorous and gold-embellished package that deserves to have its name in lights for a time.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“Despite a few slightly complicated systems, Aether & Iron left a really positive impression on me. The world-building is excellent, the characters are engaging, and the combination of noir storytelling with sci-fi elements makes the setting stand out. The dice-based dialogue adds unpredictability to conversations, while the turn-based car combat offers something genuinely different from most RPGs. It’s definitely a dialogue-heavy experience, so players looking for constant action might not connect with it. But if you enjoy story-driven RPGs and like the idea of something a bit unusual, there’s a lot here to appreciate. With its distinctive setting, strong writing, and creative mechanics, Aether & Iron feels like an RPG that isn’t afraid to try its own ideas, and for the most part, it succeeds as well as makes me want to shop for a fine waistcoat and hat.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Major Update: 1.2.105Aug 3, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: 1.1.666Jul 6, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Aether & Iron Update Roadmap 2026Jun 8, 2026
- Patch Release: 1.1.391Jun 1, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Major Update: 1.1.337May 27, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Demo Update - Japanese LocalisationMay 27, 2026
- Public Beta Release: 1.0.830May 13, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: 1.0.607May 7, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: 1.0.499Apr 28, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: 1.0.424Apr 19, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: 1.0.245Apr 8, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Release: v1.0.159Apr 2, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: Demo Update 0.6.158Feb 19, 2026significant · resets scoring window
- Patch Notes: Demo Update 0.3.479Nov 8, 2025significant · resets scoring window