Stormgate’s early access launch on Steam has garnered a mixed reception from both fans and its Kickstarter backers. Delve into the concerns raised by its supporters and the current state of the game post-launch.
Stormgate Launches with Mixed Reviews
Backers Upset Over Stormgate’s Microtransactions
Stormgate, the eagerly anticipated real-time strategy game poised as the spiritual successor to Starcraft II, has encountered a rocky start on Steam. Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter, in addition to an initial $35 million in funding, the game has faced significant backlash from its backers who feel misled by the monetization model.
Those who contributed $60 for the "Ultimate" bundle anticipated receiving the full early access content, a promise that many feel has not been fulfilled. Supporters viewed Stormgate as a passion project by Frost Giant Studios and were eager to contribute to its success. However, the game's free-to-play model, coupled with aggressive microtransactions, has left many backers feeling disappointed.
A single campaign chapter, consisting of three missions, is priced at $10, as is a single co-op character—double the price of similar content in Starcraft II. Backers who pledged $60 or more expected access to three chapters and three characters. Yet, with the introduction of the new character, Warz, on launch day, but not included in the Kickstarter rewards, many feel betrayed.
A Steam reviewer, Aztraeuz, expressed frustration, stating, "You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer. Many of us supported this game because we wanted to see it succeed. A lot of us are hundreds of dollars deep into this game already. Why are there pre-day 1 microtransactions that we don’t own?"
In response to the backlash, Frost Giant Studios issued a statement on Steam, thanking players for their support and attempting to clarify the content included in the Kickstarter bundles. They acknowledged that many backers expected the "Ultimate" bundles to include all gameplay content available during Early Access. As a gesture of goodwill, the studio announced that all Kickstarter and Indiegogo backers at the "Ultimate Founder’s Pack tier and above" would receive the next paid Hero for free. However, this offer does not extend to Warz, as many have already purchased the character, making it impossible to offer retroactively.
Despite this gesture, dissatisfaction persists among players regarding the game's aggressive monetization and underlying gameplay issues.
Frost Giant Studios Addresses Player Feedback After Early Access Launch
Stormgate, developed by veterans of Starcraft II, aimed to revive the glory of the real-time strategy genre. However, the early access version has presented a mixed experience. While the core RTS gameplay holds promise, players have criticized the game for its aggressive monetization, unclear visuals, missing campaign features, lackluster unit interactions, and an AI that fails to challenge.
These issues have led to a "Mixed" rating on Steam, with some players dubbing it "Starcraft II at home." Despite these criticisms, our review acknowledges the game's potential and the opportunity for enhancements in areas such as story and visuals.
For a comprehensive analysis of Stormgate’s Early Access, explore our full review below!
