Alternate history is a timeless trope for one main reason. Not only does it allow the question of “what if,” but it also shows how inventions and philosophies hold up when the setting has been twisted. Brassheart demonstrates how futuristic technology would look through the lens of the roaring twenties, brought to life through stylized graphics. The unfortunate drawback is that other elements fail to meet the game’s high artistic standards.
Developed and published by Hexy Studio, Brassheart takes place in a steampunk 1920s setting, when a robotic AI named Valkiria established an army under the command of a man named Durr and conquered most of Europe. Valkiria’s creator, Professor Zagórski, was horrified by the AI’s actions and ambitions and constructed a device that could potentially change the AI for the betterment of humanity. Zagórski tasks his daughter, Pola, to find pieces of the device and finish his work. She has help along the way, mostly from her robot companion, Pascal, as she travels worldwide to stop Valkiria and its armies.
The world-building is the most entertaining element of the game. The steampunk setting is well-explored, showing off anti-gravitational tech, periscope security cameras, recording equipment, and much more. These devices are not just in the background but also required for specific actions on your journey while demonstrating their capabilities and possibilities.
The story itself, however, is rather conventional. Commander Durr and his army are the authoritarian regime; Pola and her friends fight for freedom and must find a MacGuffin to retain their liberty. There are choices you can make along the way, but they don’t change the story drastically. Instead, preferences are assessed based on how they contribute to certain beliefs. This should mean there is no right or wrong answer, but it is obvious which solutions are correct. There is a clear bias towards specific options and no lasting effects beyond what happened at the moment. Also, I think that one of the choices may be bugged because the game recognized the opposite of that specific decision.
Still, the world of Brassheart is remarkably artistic. The graphics sport vibrant, painted colors, like a grounded version of The Curse of Monkey Island. This feeling persists whether you’re trekking through the white and snowy Himalayas, a small town in Tibet that mixes ancient customs with new technology, or the streets of a French city with the color gold on nearly everything. Every character also stands out visually, with comically drawn faces for some individuals, also akin to The Curse of Monkey Island.
However, voice-overs are an issue. They are all acceptable, and some side characters have quirky personalities. However, many of the performances are either awkward or flat, suggesting the absence of a voice director.
The music is good but contains some weird sound mixing. Instruments vary from level to level. One level has fairly bombastic drums and trumpets. Another has subdued strings with chimes added as you get further in. The most memorable theme is a ukulele accompanied by feminine humming for a calm and pleasant feel. However, the volumes for each theme are uneven. One level’s theme plays quietly in the background, while another drowns out the dialogue. I found myself turning the music knob up or down each time I entered a new level.
As for gameplay, Brassheart employs the standard fare for a point-and-click adventure. You click where you want your character to go, pick up items to use or combine beforehand, and solve puzzles. Collectible newspapers lie around, giving some background information about the world. Pascal offers assistance by scanning the environment for interactable objects or hinting at what should be done next. He also hacks terminals to use certain technologies.
The puzzles themselves vary in difficulty. The most common conundrum is a hacking minigame where you must match the wires with the right colors by rotating wheels with buttons. It is trial-and-error, but it either takes a while or can be completed with just one click on the right button. There are a few unique enigmas, but they all require some trial-and-error. I only needed a guide twice, once for a puzzle I could not figure out after exhausting every possibility. After completing it, my only thought was, “There must have been a way to make the solution a tad clearer.”
Brassheart was a game I figured would be a classic-styled adventure, and I was right for the most part. I found the 1920s steampunk setting exciting and fleshed out. I loved the art style and designs of the characters. If only the puzzles, voicework, and issues with the sound mixing were given more polish and direction, Hexy Studio would have created a cult classic reminiscent of the Monkey Island or the Broken Sword games.
Game information
Our Verdict:
While Brassheart hosts a fantastic world with artistic and comical fidelity, the puzzles, voices, and music mixing fall just a bit short. Still, it is a fun adventure game that takes nearly ten hours to complete. This game shouldn’t be missed if you are a traditional point-and-click enthusiast.
The Good:
- A detailed alternate history world that is thoroughly explored
- Stylized, intriguing graphics
- Comical character designs
The Bad:
- Certain voice-overs are awkward and flat
- A few puzzles contain illogical difficulty spikes
- Weird sound mixing for the music
- Story development is fairly standardized
- Choices don’t make a difference until the end
GAME INFO
Brassheart is an adventure game by Hexy Studio released in 2025 for PC. It has a Comic cartoon style, presented in 2D or 2.5D and is played in a Third-Person perspective.
