Stormgate's early access launch on Steam has sparked a range of reactions from fans and backers. Dive into the details to understand the concerns raised by its Kickstarter 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 to be the spiritual successor to Starcraft II, has encountered a rocky start on Steam. Despite raising over $2.3 million on Kickstarter, in addition to a substantial $35 million in initial funding, the game is facing significant backlash from its backers who feel misled. Those who pledged $60 for the "Ultimate" bundle anticipated receiving comprehensive early access content, a promise that seems to have been unmet.
Many supporters viewed Stormgate as a passion project by Frost Giant Studios and were eager to contribute to its success. While the game is marketed as free-to-play with microtransactions, the aggressive monetization approach has left many backers feeling disappointed.
A single campaign chapter, consisting of three missions, is priced at $10. Similarly, a single co-op character costs $10, which is double the price of characters in Starcraft II. Backers who pledged $60 or more on Kickstarter expected access to three chapters and three characters. With significant financial investment already made, these backers believed they would fully experience the game during its early access phase. However, the addition of a new character, Warz, on launch day, which was not included in the Kickstarter rewards, has left many feeling betrayed.
"You can take the developer out of Blizzard, but you can’t take Blizzard out of the developer," remarked Steam reviewer Aztraeuz. "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, expressing gratitude for player support and attempting to clarify the situation. The studio admitted that despite efforts to make the content in the Kickstarter bundles clear during the campaign, many expected the "Ultimate" bundles to include all gameplay content available at the Early Access release. As a gesture of goodwill, they 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, the studio clarified that this offer does not extend to the already released Hero, Warz, as many players "have already purchased Warz," making it "unable to make him free retroactively."
Despite this concession, frustration persists among the community over the game's aggressive monetization and underlying gameplay issues.
Frost Giant Studios Addresses Player Feedback After Early Access Launch
Stormgate carries high expectations, developed by veterans of Starcraft II, aiming to revive the magic of the genre's golden era. Yet, players have encountered a mixed experience. While the core RTS gameplay holds promise, the game has been criticized for its aggressive monetization, unclear visuals, missing campaign features, lackluster unit interactions, and an AI that fails to challenge players.
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!
