Real Steel Champions Review

The first Real Steel game was a surprising hit, so what's less surprising is that there's a sequel – Real Steel Champions. It's a very simple fighting game that's mostly a cover for a plentiful supply of freemium elements, but it's not without some merit.

In a structure not unlike games such as CSR Racing, you're following a series of levels in order to unlock new stuff and generally profit. Each level is a fight between you and another robot. You control your robot through movement buttons and a few action buttons, allowing you to inflict heavy, light, and special attacks. You can interact more so with those special attacks, by hammering a finger to the screen. Don't expect too much depth though, Real Steel Champions is a game more about levelling up your stats than actual fighting skills.

Much like so many other freemium games, Real Steel Champions has a plentiful supply of soft and premium currencies. These are used to upgrade your robot in a variety of different ways. And, of course, there are timers slowing down your progress, as well as an energy meter to stop you getting too much done too quickly. Essentially, you're chipping away at levels for profit, so you can then use that money to be bigger and better.

Real Steel Champions does a decent job of letting you know when you're hideously underpowered, but that also means that you always feel pushed into following a set route to progress.

It is oddly satisfying though, because everyone likes to feel like they're getting stronger, right? You can customize your robot too, making things feel more personal.

Ultimately though, things soon feel restrictive for those who don't want to pay up to progress. It all feels too grindy, rather than focused on the actual fighting. Real Steel Champions is a passing distraction and little more than that.