[Industry News] Aether & Iron, Narrative RPG, Coming to PC March 31

Why It Matters

The release adds a high‑profile, choice‑heavy RPG to a crowded market, highlighting indie studios’ ability to deliver cinematic storytelling at scale. Its multilingual support and unique combat system could attract both narrative enthusiasts and strategy gamers, expanding Seismic Squirrel’s audience and revenue potential.

Key Takeaways

• Releases March 31, 2026 via Steam and Steam Deck
• Set in aether‑powered, vertical 1930s New York
• Features turn‑based vehicular combat with customizable fleets
• Full voice cast includes writers from Mass Effect
• Localized into eight languages, broadening global reach

Pulse Analysis

The indie RPG landscape has seen a surge in narrative‑centric titles that prioritize player agency, from *Disco Elysium* to *Divinity: Original Sin*. *Aether & Iron* enters this space with a distinctive 1930s alt‑history aesthetic, leveraging the growing appetite for story‑rich experiences that rival AAA productions. Its March 2026 launch aligns with a lull in major RPG releases, positioning Seismic Squirrel to capture attention from both dedicated role‑players and newcomers seeking fresh storytelling mechanics.

Beyond its compelling plot, the game differentiates itself through turn‑based vehicular combat, a hybrid of tactical strategy and RPG progression. Players customize a fleet of aether‑powered vehicles, integrating the core abilities—Hustle, Smarts, and Brass—into both combat and dialogue outcomes. This layered decision‑making mirrors the dice‑roll uncertainty of tabletop games, appealing to fans of hybrid systems. Full voice acting and support for eight languages further enhance immersion and accessibility, broadening its potential market across North America, Europe, and Asia.

For Seismic Squirrel, the launch represents a strategic push into mainstream distribution via Steam and Steam Deck, platforms that dominate PC gaming sales. The involvement of seasoned writers from *Mass Effect* and Grammy‑winning composers signals a commitment to production quality that can attract media coverage and influencer interest. If the title resonates, it could establish a franchise foundation, opening avenues for DLC, expansions, or even cross‑media adaptations, reinforcing the studio’s position in the competitive narrative‑RPG segment.

[Industry News] Aether & Iron, Narrative RPG, coming to PC March 31

Seismic Squirrel announced on Monday that Aether & Iron, a narrative‑driven RPG focused on player choice and character‑driven storytelling, will launch on PC via Steam on March 31, 2026.

Set in an alternate 1930s New York transformed into a vertical city by the discovery of “aether”, a key component to newfound anti‑gravitational technology, Aether & Iron follows Gia, a smuggler navigating crime syndicates, political conspiracies, and fragile alliances. Players shape Gia’s story through meaningful decisions, with every choice influencing relationships, outcomes and the fate of the city itself. The game is fully voiced and features writing talent with credits on Mass Effect, Far Cry, and Sovereign Syndicate, with an original score composed by two‑time Grammy Award winner Christopher Tin and Grammy nominee Alex Williamson, best known for their work on the Civilization series.

“Aether & Iron is about finding your own path when the world doesn’t give you many choices, if any at all,” said Tyler Whitney, Narrative Lead at Seismic Squirrel. “Whether you’re talking your way out of trouble, taking a risky job, or deciding the fate of someone who has put their life in your hands, every decision shapes Gia’s story and the future of New York. We’ve spent years building this world and bringing its characters to life, and we’re incredibly excited for players to finally experience it when the game launches this March.”

Gameplay blends narrative‑driven role‑playing with tactical, turn‑based vehicular combat that reflects the risks of life in the city’s underworld. Players customise a fleet of aether‑powered vehicles and recruit a diverse cast of companions, each bringing unique talents and personal stories that influence both combat encounters and narrative paths.

As a seemingly simple smuggling job escalates into a conspiracy threatening the entire city, players develop their Hustle, Smarts and Brass – core abilities that shape combat effectiveness, dialogue options and high‑stakes decisions. Even the most carefully considered choices carry uncertainty, where success or failure can come down to a single dice roll. Over time, those decisions determine whether New York’s citizens find hope, or remain trapped in corruption and violence.

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Key Features

• Narrative‑Driven RPG: Shape the story through impactful choices that affect characters, alliances, and the future of New York.

• Your Choices Matter: Decisions will shape the unfolding history of New York and the lives of its citizens, determining whether they will find hope in a corrupt world of manipulation and violence.

• Turn‑Based Vehicular Combat: Assemble a wide range of incredible aether‑powered vehicles and unlock new tactical options in a unique twist on strategic, turn‑based vehicular battles.

• Muster Your Crew: Recruit unique and resourceful companions to watch your back and follow their stories.

• Grow Your Talents: Level up your Hustle, Smarts and Brass abilities to improve your chances in combat and social situations. But no matter how good you are, you’re always a dice roll away from success or failure.

• Drive in Style: Upgrade your aether‑powered rides to suit your playstyle. Enhance your cars with hidden compartments, smoke dispensers and, of course, flamethrowers.

• Dive into an Underground Life: Navigate secret paths, dodge enemies, hide contraband, and stay ahead of the big bosses out to get you.

• Distinctive Visual Identity: Inspired by 1930s detective comics and the Art Deco period, Aether & Iron brings a unique visual identity to gameplay.

• Full Voice Acting: Experience an alt‑history 1930s New York directly through the voices of its inhabitants. Learn their stories; sometimes funny, sometimes philosophical, usually tragic.

Aether & Iron launches on Steam and Steam Deck on March 31, 2026, featuring full English voice acting and text localisation support for English, Spanish (Spain & Latin America), French, German, Polish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Play the demo and wishlist Aether & Iron now on Steam.