If you’ve ever looked at a classic 1930s Art Deco skyscraper and thought, “This would be way cooler if it were floating three miles in the air and I had a mounted machine gun on my Ford Model A,” then Seismic Squirrel has made the exact game for you. Aether & Iron is a weird, wonderful, and gritty Tactical RPG.
This is a deep, narrative-heavy journey through a sky-bound New York City. It’s got the noir vibes of BioShock, the isometric tactical crunch of XCOM, and a dialogue system that feels like a love letter to Disco Elysium. Grab a drink, settle into your leather driver’s seat, and let’s talk about why this Decopunk adventure is worth your time.
Welcome to the High-Flying Slums of New York
The setting is easily the biggest star of the show. We’re talking about an Alternate History where the discovery of a mysterious substance called Aether allowed humanity to conquer gravity. Instead of expanding outward, New York City expanded upward. The result is a vertical metropolis of floating islands, steel catwalks, and neon-lit Art Deco towers.
You play as Gia, a cynical but capable smuggler just trying to keep her head above water—or rather, above the clouds. The world-building here is top-tier. The gap between the “Barons” living in the pristine upper spires and the grease-covered workers in the “Underground” isn’t just a metaphor; it’s a physical reality. As Gia, you get pulled into a conspiracy involving a young scientist and a revolution that could bring the whole floating city crashing down. The story is Fully Voiced, which adds a ton of weight to the noir-style narration and the snappy, often hilarious dialogue.
Not Your Average Turn-Based Tactics
When you think of a Tactical RPG, you probably think of soldiers hiding behind waist-high walls. Aether & Iron flips the script by putting you behind the wheel. The Vehicular Combat is turn-based, but it feels surprisingly fast. Instead of worrying about individual footsteps, you’re managing Action Points to accelerate, drift, and weave through traffic on crumbling skyways.
The physics-based movement is what makes it click. If you ram an enemy car into a pile of roadside wreckage, they’re going to feel it. You can drop mines, fire off Flamethrowers, or use specialized “Welding Arms” to patch up your allies in the middle of a high-speed shootout. It’s like a turn-based version of Twisted Metal where every move matters. One of my favorite mechanics is the Hazard System. Since you’re fighting on moving highways, the terrain changes every turn. You have to constantly look ahead to see where the road is falling apart or where a fuel tanker is about to explode, using those environmental traps to your advantage.
Building the Ultimate Getaway Crew
You aren’t just a lone wolf in a rusty truck. A huge part of the game is assembling a Crew of misfits, each with their own backstories and specialized skills. These aren’t just stat-sticks; they are fully realized characters who chime in during conversations and have their own opinions on your choices.
The RPG systems are divided into three main pillars: Hustle, Smarts, and Brass. When you’re not in your car, you’re navigating the city in a Point-and-Click style, interacting with the world through a gorgeous Visual Novel interface. Want to bribe a guard? That’s a Hustle check. Need to fix a broken elevator? Better hope your Smarts are high enough. Every major interaction involves a 2d6 Dice Roll, adding that tabletop feel where even a well-planned move can go sideways if the luck of the draw isn’t on your side.
Customization and the Grease Monkey Life
If you’re a gearhead, you’re going to spend a lot of time in the Garage. Your vehicles are just as customizable as your characters. You can swap out chassis for better speed or heavier armor, mount everything from grenade launchers to Smoke Dispensers, and even paint your ride in ridiculous patterns.
The progression feels rewarding because it’s tied so closely to the narrative. You aren’t just finding “Level 5 Engines” in random crates; you’re earning specialized parts by helping out specific factions or finishing side quests. There is a real sense of Mechanical Depth here. You have to balance your “Heat” stat—which determines how much attention you’re drawing from the law—with your need for better gear. Sometimes it’s better to take the long way around a checkpoint than to risk a fight you aren’t prepared for.
A Style All Its Own
Visually, Aether & Iron is a knockout. The Hand-Drawn Art style is heavily inspired by 1930s detective comics. Everything has this thick, inky outline and a color palette that perfectly captures the “Golden Age” aesthetic. The contrast between the gleaming gold of the upper city and the rust-browns of the smuggling tunnels creates a visual identity that is instantly recognizable.
The music deserves a shoutout too. It’s a mix of smoky jazz and industrial electronic beats that perfectly matches the “Decopunk” vibe. It makes those moments when you’re just clicking through a 2D landscape looking for clues feel just as atmospheric as the high-stakes battles.
The Verdict on the Skyway
Is it perfect? Not quite. The game can be a bit punishing with its Difficulty Spikes, especially toward the end of the first act. You might find yourself needing to reload an older save to better prepare your loadout for a boss fight, which can be a bit of a drag. There are also some occasional bugs in the menus, though the developers will probably patch these out real quick.
However, those are minor complaints when you look at the sheer ambition and heart on display. Aether & Iron is a rare breed of RPG that takes a familiar genre and gives it a completely new engine. It’s stylish, well-written, and offers a tactical challenge that feels genuinely fresh. If you want a story that matters and a car that doubles as a tank, this is the flight you don’t want to miss.
