{{Short description|2015 puzzle strategy video game}} {{Infobox video game | image = Ironcast cover.jpg | developer = Dreadbit | publisher = Ripstone | platforms = {{Unbulleted list|Linux|Microsoft Windows|OS X|Nintendo Switch|PlayStation 4|Xbox One}} | director = Daniel Leaver | producer = Daniel Leaver<br>Mark Pittam | designer = Daniel Leaver<br>Edmund Alcock<br>Ben Porter | programmer = Christopher Butler | artist = Amber Jones | writer = Daniel Leaver<br>Edmund Alcock<br>Ben Porter | composer = Edward Hargrave | engine = Unity | released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Microsoft Windows''', '''Linux''', '''OS X'''|March 26, 2015|'''PlayStation 4''', '''Xbox One'''|March 1, 2016|'''Nintendo Switch'''|August 10, 2017}} | genre = Match-three, roguelike, turn-based strategy | modes = Single-player }} '''''Ironcast''''' is a British turn-based strategy video game developed by Dreadbit and was released for PC platforms in March 2015, PS4 and Xbox One in March 2016,<ref name="EuroRelease" /> and Nintendo Switch version in August 2017.<ref name="SwitchRelease" /> The game has individual missions played through a match-three system, and features procedurally generated missions, permadeath, and staples of the roguelike genre.
== Gameplay == ''Ironcast'' is set in a steampunk 19th century, the player commands mecha robots, Ironcasts. The player has to deploy them to repel a French invasion of Britain. Players can choose from an assortment of missions, and their successful completion will reward the player with repairs and upgrades to their Ironcast. The missions are conducted through a match-three system, with coloured tiles on the grid representing resources required for the Ironcast's operation.<ref name=IndieInfo/><ref name=EuroRev/><ref name=RPSRev/>
== Production == ''Ironcast'' was developed by Dreadbit, a studio founded by Daniel Leaver, formerly a senior designer at Media Molecule.<ref name=EuroRelease/> The game was part funded through a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, raising £10,183 in October 2014.<ref name=KS/><ref name=IndieKS/>
== Reception == The game received a positive critical reception on PC and Xbox One, with Metacritic scores of 75/100 and 78/100, respectively, and a mixed reception on PlayStation 4, with a Metacritic score of 70/100.<ref name=MetaPS4/><ref name=MetaPC/><ref name=MetaXB1/> Christian Donlan, reviewing the game at ''Eurogamer'' described it as "tense and personable and clever".<ref name=EuroRev/> John Walker at ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun'' found it "much more tactically thoughtful than a match-3 RPG has been before", though found the game's presentation dull.<ref name=RPSRev/>
==References== <references>
<ref name=EuroRelease>{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-03-01-ironcast-comes-to-consoles-this-week| title=Ironcast comes to consoles this week| author=Jeffrey Matulef| work=Eurogamer| date=2016-03-01| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=SwitchRelease>{{cite web|url=https://ripstone.com/news/ironcast-nintendo-switch-release-date/|title=Ironcast Storms Nintendo Switch On 10th August|website=Ripstone|accessdate=July 25, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201042158/https://ripstone.com/news/ironcast-nintendo-switch-release-date/|url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name=IndieInfo>{{cite web| url=http://indiegames.com/2015/03/ironcast.html| title=Ironcast brings steampunk mechs and lots of depth to the match-3 RPG genre| author=Lena LeRay| work=Indiegames.com| date=2015-03-25| accessdate=2016-09-13| archive-date=2017-02-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170215181321/http://indiegames.com/2015/03/ironcast.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name=KS>{{cite web| url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/526832900/ironcast-turn-based-steampunk-mech-combat| title=Ironcast: Turn-based Steampunk Mech Combat| author=Dreadbit| publisher=Kickstarter| date=2014-09-02| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=IndieKS>{{cite web| url=http://indiegames.com/2014/09/kickstarter_pick_ironcast_drea.html| title=Kickstarter Pick: Ironcast (Dreadbit)| author=Konstantinos Dimopoulos / Gnome| work=Indiegames.com| date=2014-09-06| accessdate=2016-09-03| archive-date=2016-09-23| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923144738/http://indiegames.com/2014/09/kickstarter_pick_ironcast_drea.html| url-status=dead}}</ref> <ref name=MetaPS4>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ironcast/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4| title=Ironcast for PlayStation 4 reviews| work=Metacritic| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=MetaPC>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ironcast/critic-reviews/?platform=pc| title=Ironcast for PC reviews| work=Metacritic| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=MetaXB1>{{cite web| url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ironcast/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one| title=Ironcast for Xbox One reviews| work=Metacritic| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=EuroRev>{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-31-ironcast-review| title=Ironcast review| author=Christian Donlan| work=Eurogamer| date=2015-03-31| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref> <ref name=RPSRev>{{cite web| url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/03/20/ironcast-review/| title=Wot I Think: Ironcast| author=John Walker| work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun| date=2016-03-20| accessdate=2016-09-03}}</ref>
</references>
==External links== *[http://www.dreadbit.com/Ironcast ''Ironcast'' official site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727105008/http://www.dreadbit.com/Ironcast |date=2017-07-27 }}
Category:2015 video games Category:Alternate history video games Category:Crowdfunded video games Category:Kickstarter-funded video games Category:Linux games Category:MacOS games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:PlayStation 4 games Category:Ripstone games Category:Roguelike video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Steampunk video games Category:Turn-based strategy video games Category:Video games about mecha Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom Category:Video games set in the 19th century Category:Windows games Category:Xbox One games