Aether and Iron is a game that mixes the dice rolling and fighting style of Baldurs Gate 3 with the visual style of Bioshock. It is a game that you should add to your wishlist.
This version of New York is not the same as the one we read about in school history books. It is a special reimagined version created for a video game called Aether and Iron. The game is developed by Seismic Squirrel and it is their first big role playing game. The city in this game floats high above the ground because it is powered by special anti gravity technology. The idea is similar to the world of BioShock Infinite where a city in the sky becomes the stage for drama and conflict. This setting pulled me in right away and I felt completely fascinated.
In this game you play as a character named Gia. Gia is an experienced smuggler. She is smart tough and quick with her words. At the beginning you find yourself caught up in strange events that connect you with powerful forces. You are given a task that seems simple but soon grows into something much larger. Early in the story you meet a young scientist named Nellie. She has blonde hair and dresses in white clothing. On the outside she looks innocent and harmless. But she insists on going down into the slums beneath New York for reasons that she refuses to explain. Gia warns her that it is dangerous but Nellie insists on going. This is the start of the adventure in Aether and Iron.
The game has a strong connection to tabletop role playing games like Baldurs Gate 3 and Dungeons and Dragons. Your actions are decided by rolling two dice with six sides each. The outcome of each roll determines whether you succeed or fail at certain skill checks. You can build your character by focusing on three main skills called Brass Hustle and Smarts. Brass makes you strong and ready to fight. Hustle lets you persuade or manipulate people. Smarts help you think logically and notice flaws in arguments. As a player who enjoys the bard style in tabletop games I naturally picked Hustle. I wanted to talk my way through every problem.
Sometimes this choice works. At one point I convince my employer to give me extra money by making him feel guilty. I argue that my paycheck is too small for the risk I take. To my surprise he agrees and I earn more cash for my journey. But other times Hustle fails. When I try to protect Nellie from a group of angry taxi drivers my words fall flat. I claim to have powerful connections but they do not believe me. I manage to escape but I know these drivers will remember me in the future. The game gives a strong feeling that every choice matters. Even small actions can come back later and change the story.
As the story continues Gia notices something strange. She sees that someone is following us. It turns out Nellie has secrets that she has not shared. The tension rises and the game shifts into a dramatic car chase. From a top down view you see the road filled with cars weaving in and out of traffic. Gia fires a weapon from her trunk while the enemy car tries to push us aside. There are obstacles on the road like barriers and lane closures. Every move feels fast and dangerous even though the system is turn based. This mix creates the feeling of a real chase while still letting you think about your next move carefully.
The developers explained that they wanted vehicle combat to feel different from typical turn based games. Usually turn based vehicle battles involve slow machines like tanks or mechs. But here they wanted the rush of a mobster style chase with speed and chaos. After much testing they created a system that captures both strategy and excitement. The car chase feels fast but you also get the space to plan. This makes it one of the most unique parts of Aether and Iron.
The game also offers car customization. You can change parts to make your car faster or add new weapons. Although I did not explore this feature in detail during my preview I know from my love of games like Forza that I could easily spend hours adjusting engines and experimenting with upgrades. The workshop will likely become a big part of the experience for many players.
Another layer of the game is recruiting companions. Along your journey you can meet and travel with different characters. Each companion has their own personality and story. Together you solve mysteries and face challenges. This adds variety and depth to the adventure. The game blends visual novel elements with strategy gameplay. Conversations feel alive and choices shape the narrative. At the same time the battles and missions test your planning and creativity.
The art style deserves special mention. It mixes the glamour of art deco with the grit of a city in crisis. Bright lights and tall towers stand above shadowy streets and hidden slums. The look is both stylish and unsettling. It pulls you into a world that feels both familiar and strange. Fans of unique game worlds like Strange Horticulture will likely enjoy the quirky and unusual atmosphere here.
Aether and Iron aims for a branching story where every player journey can feel different. Maybe you play Gia as a fighter relying on Brass. Maybe you play as a clever thinker using Smarts. Or maybe like me you lean on Hustle and try to charm your way out of danger. Each path has risks and rewards. This flexibility makes the game appealing for role playing fans.
The release is planned for 2026. While waiting players can keep track of updates and wishlist the game. It is one of those titles that feels worth following because the mix of style setting and gameplay is rare. Seismic Squirrel may be a new studio but their vision already looks ambitious.
In the bigger picture Aether and Iron also reflects how role playing games continue to grow. Modern RPGs often mix genres and styles. Here you have storytelling like a novel strategic battles like a board game and visual art that feels like a painting. Games today are no longer limited to one form. They combine ideas from many traditions. Aether and Iron is another step in this creative direction.
I also think about what makes a setting memorable. New York of 1939 is already interesting because it was a turning point in history. But adding the twist of anti gravity technology transforms it into something more. It becomes both real and imagined. The mix of fact and fantasy lets the game explore deeper themes. Power ambition inequality and hope all play roles in this world. The floating city is both beautiful and dangerous. It reflects how progress can lift people up but also create new problems.
When you walk through this world as Gia you feel the weight of history and invention. Every street corner hides secrets. Every character you meet has motives. The story asks you to pay attention. It reminds you that choices are not just about winning or losing but about shaping relationships and futures. This is the core of good role playing.
The mention of other games like Baldurs Gate 3 and Into the Breach helps us see the inspiration. But Aether and Iron is not a copy. It builds on these ideas and adds its own style. The car chase system is an example. It takes the structure of turn based play and makes it feel fresh. That kind of creativity is what can make a game stand out.
As I reflect on the preview I think about how games can create feelings. In this short time I felt tension excitement and curiosity. I wanted to know Nellies secrets. I worried about the angry taxi drivers. I felt the rush of firing weapons during a chase. These emotions show that the game succeeds in pulling the player into its world.
Looking ahead the biggest question is how well the story will expand. Will choices really create different paths. Will companions have deep stories. Will the mysteries keep players engaged. If the developers deliver on these promises then Aether and Iron could become a special game remembered for years.
For now the advice is simple. If you enjoy role playing games with unique settings then you should keep this one on your radar. Put it on your wishlist and follow its progress. Games like this are built on passion and imagination. Supporting them helps the whole gaming world grow.
Until release you can enjoy other titles from the Elder Scrolls series or explore mods for Skyrim and Oblivion. But remember that new worlds are always being created. Aether and Iron is one of those new worlds waiting for us.
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