Code provided with thanks to JF Games PR.
Super Alloy Crush – Mega Man X Like
I previously covered the demo for Super Alloy Crush, and at the time, I walked away thinking, “there’s something good here… it just needs a little more room to breathe.” Now that the game has arrived in Early Access, it felt only fair to jump back in and see how things are shaping up.
The good news? My second outing with the game left a more positive impression overall. It’s still clearly a work in progress, but the foundations are solid, and the more time I spent with it, the more its strengths started to shine through.
And if you’re a fan of that classic Mega Man X style of side-scrolling action, this one is definitely wearing its inspiration proudly.
That Mega Energy Is Alive and Well
From the moment you start moving around, Super Alloy Crush feels instantly familiar in the best possible way. You’re dashing, jumping, firing shots across the screen, and generally causing robotic chaos in every direction.
The game lets you choose between two playable characters: Kelly and Muu. Kelly focuses on ranged combat, firing off shots and setting up attacks from a distance, while Muu is much more of a close-quarters bruiser who thrives on melee combat and chaining together aggressive combos.
I gravitated towards the ranged Kelly for most of my playthrough this time. There’s something very satisfying about blasting enemies from across the screen and weaving in dashes to keep the pressure on. That said, the melee character Muu has a lot of flair as well, particularly when you start juggling enemies in the air and pulling off longer combo chains.
Movement feels tight and responsive, which is exactly what you want from a game like this. The dash mechanic in particular feels great, letting you zip across the stage or escape danger at the last second.
More Missions, More Mayhem
Compared to the demo, the Early Access version offers more to do straight away. Missions send you through classic side-scrolling levels packed with enemies, destructible objects, and plenty of hidden goodies and areas to seek out.
And when I say destructible objects, I mean it. Boxes, crates, bits of scenery, if it looks like it might break, it probably will. And when it does, you’re usually rewarded with nuts and bolts that serve as the game’s main currency. These can then be spent back at the hub area, upgrading your abilities.
You’ll unlock new moves, improve your combat performance through circuitry upgrades, and even call in support characters that can assist you during tricky moments. It adds a nice sense of progression and lets you tailor your build a little depending on how you prefer to play.
There’s also a training area in the hub where you can experiment with your upgrades and try out new builds before heading back into battle.
Boss Fights Bring the Noise
Boss encounters remain one of the highlights of the game so far. They’re big, flashy, and often epic in scale. You’ll need to learn their attack patterns, dodge carefully, and strike during the right moments. And if you have it charged you can always unleash a devastating overdrive move. These massive specials fill the screen with effects and deliver a satisfying burst of damage. They’re the kind of attack you usually save for boss fights… although occasionally you’ll fire one off just because it looks so gloriously over the top. And honestly, I can’t blame you.
Story Takes a Back Seat
Now, while the gameplay side of things works well, the story didn’t quite grab me in the same way. There’s quite a bit of lore and dialogue scattered throughout the game, mostly delivered through text conversations between missions. The setup revolves around cosmic treasure hunting, rival robots, and various factions competing. None of it is bad, but it did feel like it lingered a little longer than necessary at times. In a game where the main appeal is clearly the fast action, I often found myself itching to get back into the gameplay rather than reading through lengthy dialogue exchanges.
The good news is that most of these segments can be skipped through fairly quickly if you’re eager to jump back into the action.
Slick Pixel Art With a Cyber Edge
Visually, the game looks great. The pixel art is detailed and animated nicely, giving the characters plenty of personality while keeping everything readable during the fast-paced combat. The futuristic city environments look good, too, although I did notice that many of the stages share a similar industrial look. A bit more environmental variety would certainly help keep things feeling fresh as development continues.
Still, the overall cyber-anime aesthetic works nicely and suits the game’s tone. It also helps that the soundtrack is awesome.
Early Access Done Right
What impressed me most is that Super Alloy Crush feels like it’s entering Early Access in a sensible state. There’s already a decent amount of content to explore, and the core gameplay loop is fun enough to keep you coming back.
It’s not overly punishing either. Checkpoints are generous, upgrades help smooth the difficulty curve, and there are even accessibility options that allow you to tweak things like enemy damage or health if you want to tailor the challenge. That flexibility is always appreciated.
The game also features local co-op, making this an appealing game night game. If handheld is your jam, this is already Steam Deck verified.
Final Thoughts
After spending more time with the Early Access version, I’m definitely more optimistic about Super Alloy Crush than I was during the demo.
The combat feels great, the upgrades add satisfying progression, and the boss fights are genuinely exciting. While the story pacing could be tightened up and some level of variety would help, the core of the game is already very enjoyable.
For fans of fast, retro-inspired action games, particularly those still waiting for the next Mega Man X style adventure, this one is absolutely worth keeping an eye on. And with more updates expected during Early Access, there’s every chance this cosmic robot brawler could grow into something pretty special.
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