Version: Digital review code provided by the distributor
Independence & Ethics
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Aether & Iron is an instant RPG masterpiece and one of the best games of 2026 to date.
Set in an alternate 1930s, where the discovery of "aether" has sent humanity to live in floating cities in the sky, Aether & Iron takes familiar concepts and revamps them into a breathtaking vision of an alternate past that feels both familiar and immensely fresh. It is an intoxicating mix of sci-fi, steampunk, fantasy, and film noir so richly textured you want to get lost in its world and never come out.
There are elements of Max and Dave Fleischer's Superman animations, films like Sky Captain & the World of Tomorrow, Blade Runner, The Rocketeer, the iconic works of Ida Lupino, and the intrigue and wit of Dashiell Hammett. Yet for its wealth of influences, Aether & Iron always feels singular. It has a voice that is clearly its own. Thanks to strong writing in lore, character, and dialogue, every part of this alternative New York City feels vibrant and wholly realized.
On top of a great story and setting, Aether & Iron is a smartly crafted game that consistently impresses with deep mechanics and rewarding mission design. Its backbone is a traditional RPG, but built around it are nuanced and well-thought-out additions like crew building, tactical combat, and vehicle modification.
The player takes the role of Gia, a smuggler fallen on hard times. Some time ago, a job went really sour, and it cost the life of a loved one and whatever reputation she once had.
When a suspicious gig involving a rich escapee from the upper levels of the city, Gia is hesitant, but has little choice in the matter. Before she knows it, she and Nellie, her smart but sheltered contract, are on the run from nefarious barons, and even greater powers who would see the world burn rather than lose their grasp on it.
It's a terrific setup that immediately picks up pace and never lets up. Every mission introduces new, fascinating characters, and every location feels lived-in. As you progress through the city, you uncover safe houses, fences, and new opportunities around every corner. Not all of them will lead to happy endings, and each one demands something from you, whether that's choosing to abandon a once-friend to their doom or siding with a "big-picture" kind of guy over the immediate needs of those in trouble.
Like other modern RPG greats, Aether & Iron is so smartly written that even failure feels like a natural part of the progression. There's rarely a sense that you're punished for a bad roll or choice. It's just how the world works, and the weary narration emphasizes how sometimes the best you can hope for is to live on for future disappointments.
The sharp script and wonderful dialogue are bolstered by some of the best voice acting heard in gaming. Rhiannon Moushall, in particular, delivers an incredible performance as Gia, the rough anti-hero and narrator. She has some of the most twisty lines in the entire game, balancing between Mickey Spillane-type gumshoe patter and dry humor, and Moushall sells every bit of it.
Equally impressive as Cat Protano, as Nellie, and Dominica Ivey as Cress, Gia's only friends in the world. In lesser hands, Nellie could easily end up as a one-note caricature of a spoiled and out-of-touch scientist, but Protano gives her a sharp, melancholy edge that makes her instantly likable.
Meanwhile, Ivey's performance as Cress, the battered but not broken mechanic who has crawled out from the bottom to make something for herself, is one of the most emotionally affecting in the entire game.
Aether & Iron is full of dialogue, all of it superb, and all of it fully voiced. It is a stellar showcase for what can be created even on a limited budget. Some major AAA-titles should cover their heads in shame.
On top of that, the brilliant soundtrack is to die for. It is an evocative mix of Jerry Goldsmith, John Williams, and 1930's jazz that deserves all the praise it gets. It has the grandiose energy of a big, old-school film, and evokes the intimacy of reading a good book in a deserted lobby of an aging hotel when all others have gone to sleep.
Equally impressive is the hand-drawn art, which is often breathtaking. Whether it's the great care that's gone into researching the outfits, vehicles, or architecture in the labyrinthine cityscape, every bit of Aether & Iron is mesmerizing to look at.
The story smartly uses its limitations as a strength. Characters don't move, and the only animations you'll find are pans around new locations. But little details like black-and-white sketches between dialogue, to indicate a surprise or a sudden turn of events, make the story feel alive. You get a sense that we're peering into Gia's private notes, including the scribbles she's inserted later on. It's a charming use of resources that adds to the vibrant world.
The world map proves easy to navigate, even as some of the UI is a little fiddly, and the clear menus are logically laid out for the most part. The turn-based combat is likewise finely tuned and fun, though I found some of the timed missions frustrating. Luckily, Aether & Iron rarely punishes you for failure, instead opting for a learning experience to keep the story going. Even if you miss an item or two, chances are you'll find them in a store later on.
But don't think this world is without consequences. Some of them just take a long while to materialize, and others return in ways you won't see coming. Yet none of the revelations feel unfair or underdeveloped. Aether & Iron's world is so rich that each choice bleeds into another faction and story so seamlessly that repeated playthroughs prove even richer when you know what to look for.
If there are complaints, they are all minor. The skill trees are a little unclear, especially as each member of your squad provides their own set of expertise when they're in the party. At the start, it's a little too easy to end up with overlap in talents, and by the end, I found most of my crew so overpowered that combat proved exceedingly trivial. This is not a major issue at all, simply a tuning one.
Other minor notes include some performance issues and crashes, which I saw a handful of times in the preview build provided for review. They're annoying, but certainly not deal-breaking. For the most part, Aether & Iron is an immensely polished experience from beginning to end.
Aether & Iron came to me by surprise, and it has taken a firm spot as one of my favorite games of the year. The more I think about it, the more I love it. I've spent hours combing through the intricate story and exploring the sidequests the floating world has to offer.
For fans of role-playing games, alternative history, steampunk, or simply good adventure stories, Aether & Iron is a must-play title. It's the kind of imaginative homerun that everyone insists we need more of, and it's here right now. I can't praise it highly enough.
