Finnish game designer Jussi-Petteri Kemppainen returns with a new title, Iron Danger. In this game, players follow Kipuna, whose journey begins with a brutal demise. Impaled upon a magical stone, she gains the ability to manipulate time, allowing her to rewind and avert her future death.
The premise, while violent, proves immediately engaging as players guide Kipuna and her allies through a perilous mission. The game employs an isometric perspective, and upon death, players can rewind time by a limited number of heartbeats. Each heartbeat represents 0.5 seconds, enabling players to revert to moments preceding their demise and alter their decisions. Progression introduces the ability to rewind and save the lives of companions as well.
A common strategy involves intentionally triggering death to gain an overview of enemy positions and potential threats. Subsequently, players strategically position their units and initiate attacks. It quickly becomes apparent that the time manipulation mechanic functions similarly to restarting a game shortly before death, a common element in strategy games where time effectively pauses before decisions are made. However, Iron Danger differentiates itself by allowing players to freely rotate the camera, explore diverse possibilities, and dynamically navigate through time.
Iron Danger boasts strikingly stylish graphics. Playing on PC enhanced the experience, particularly with mouse controls. The scroll wheel facilitates time rewinding, while holding the right mouse button enables camera rotation, granting swift and intuitive control over the battlefield. Notably, the absence of permanent death may detract from the sense of urgency, potentially impacting the natural pacing of the game (perhaps by design?).
The lack of permanent death removes significant consequences, which ironically can diminish the stakes. Players can freely engage in high-risk scenarios, relying on time manipulation to correct mistakes. However, the game’s increasing difficulty, especially when dealing with formidable enemies capable of inflicting significant damage while withstanding substantial punishment, necessitates careful consideration of the environment and utilization of its elements to overcome challenges.
In conclusion, Iron Danger remains an enjoyable, inventive, and intelligent strategy game that is easy to learn and hard to stop playing. Many hours can be spent aiding Kipuna in her mission. Therefore, Iron Danger is a worthwhile recommendation.
