Version Tested:
- Android Version 1.0 on Samsung Galaxy S23 and S25 Ultra
by Matt Oliver
YSNET’s latest Mobile Marvel
Steel Paws is the latest project from legendary game designer Yu Suzuki, best known for Shenmue and Virtua Fighter. Developed by YS NET, this Netflix-exclusive mobile game presents an intriguing mix of action-adventure gameplay, feline-inspired robotics, and a mysterious, ever-changing world. Announced at The Game Awards 2024, the game immediately caught attention with its stylish visuals and unique premise. But does Steel Paws live up to its promise?
In-Game Action
Gameplay
In Steel Paws, players embark on an adventure alongside customizable feline robots, known as Buddy Robots, to conquer a mysterious tower that reappears every century. The gameplay focuses on combat and exploration, requiring players to master their abilities and upgrade their robotic companions to uncover new enemies and levels. The premise is simple yet engaging—smash through hordes of enemy robots, mixed with some platforming, reach a boss fight at the end of each level, defeat it to progress, or fall in battle and return to the village hub. From there, players can upgrade skills, purchase items, and resume their journey from the previous checkpoint to finish what they started.
The boss fights in Steel Paws provide a solid level of challenge, particularly in the later stages, where additional enemies will relentlessly attack you while you’re already engaged in battle with the boss. This dynamic adds an extra layer of intensity, forcing players to carefully balance offense, defense, and crowd control to survive.
Each encounter feels engaging and rewarding, demanding a mix of timing, strategic movement, and effective use of special abilities. As the game progresses, bosses become increasingly aggressive, keeping players on their toes and ensuring that victories feel well-earned rather than routine.
That said, one minor drawback is that some bosses lack variety in their overall presentation. While each fight remains enjoyable, a bit more diversity in certain encounters could have further enhanced the experience. However, this doesn’t diminish the overall thrill of facing off against these formidable foes. Despite this slight shortcoming, Steel Paws delivers satisfying, well-paced boss battles that successfully complement the game’s addictive combat system.
The core gameplay mechanics are fairly straightforward. Using either the Square or X button (or the corresponding icon in touch mode), players unleash melee attacks to punch their way through enemy robots. Defeating enemies gradually charges a special ability, which, once fully powered, can be activated to clear large waves of opponents—especially useful against swarms of smaller enemies that can quickly overwhelm the player if left unchecked. During the action, you level up your character (which is fairly easy and quick). An alert sound will play and you have a choice of 1 of 2 options to upgrade in the battle itself. Simply press the d-pad or touch the icon to choose what to level up. There is a set amount of time to do this or the game will choose for you.
Levelling system in action
Throughout the game you will collect items, coins and GP. Items can be used immediately once collected, coins can be used towards purchasing items to use in the level should you die, plus levelling up your special abilities to make them more effective and GP is used to give your attributes a much needed boost. Also your Buddy Robot can be equipped with upgrades as required.
Upgrades and Item shops in game
Alongside this, Buddy Robots fight in conjunction with the player, assisting in combat while simultaneously charging their own unique special abilities.
While the concept is solid, the execution feels slightly clunky at times. Activating a Buddy Robot’s special ability requires picking them up and throwing them toward enemies, triggering their unique attack. Each Buddy Robot has a distinct ability, with the first companion being particularly useful—it temporarily takes control of enemy robots, turning them against each other for a short period. However, in practice, Buddy Robots are often knocked out of action (rendering upgrades useless) before their abilities can be effectively utilized. This frequently leaves the player to fend off remaining enemies before reviving their allies using R2, RT, or the touch mode icon. While the mechanic adds a layer of strategy, its execution feels a bit cumbersome, which is unfortunate because the idea itself has great potential to deepen the otherwise simple yet satisfying gameplay loop.
Upon completing the main game, players unlock Stage Select and Time Attack Mode, both designed to extend replayability and provide additional challenges.
Stage Select allows players to revisit previously completed levels, perfecting their combat skills, experimenting with different strategies, or simply reliving their favorite encounters. This feature is especially useful for those who want to track down missed upgrades or hidden details within the game.
Meanwhile, Time Attack Mode introduces a more competitive, skill-based challenge, encouraging players to refine their efficiency and speed as they attempt to clear stages as quickly as possible. This mode adds an extra layer of replay value, catering to those who enjoy pushing their limits and optimizing their performance.
While these additions help prolong the experience, a few more unlockables or bonus content could have further incentivized long-term engagement. Nonetheless, these modes successfully offer players a reason to return, adding just enough extra content to keep the gameplay loop fresh after completing the main story.
Story Elements
YSNET’s previous title, Air Twister, featured a simple, arcade-like gameplay loop, and Steel Paws offers more of the same. While Steel Paws does incorporate small story-driven cutscenes and brief sections of spoken dialogue as you progress, the narrative remains fairly minimal. Much like Air Twister, little is revealed about the main character—including her name—within the main story arc or cutscenes.
However, where Air Twister excelled was in the rich lore woven outside of its cutscenes, adding depth to its world beyond the core gameplay. Admittedly, players had to actively seek out this lore by spending stars to unlock content while completing the map, but it was there—well-thought-out, detailed, and rewarding for those who explored it. In contrast, Steel Paws feels somewhat lacking in this regard, missing that extra layer of world-building that could have further enhanced its setting and characters.
Air Twister Adventure Map
The ending cutscene in Steel Paws is expertly crafted, serving as a well-earned reward for players who persevere through the game. It delivers a significant amount of lore, finally unveiling the mysteries behind the tower’s existence and the motivations driving the game’s events—details that aren’t immediately apparent during the main adventure.
This final revelation adds depth to the world and its story, making the journey feel all the more meaningful. The sense of payoff is strong, reinforcing that reaching the end was worth the effort.
However, while the ending is satisfying, the journey itself could have benefited from more narrative moments woven throughout the game. Additional story elements between levels—whether through cutscenes, character interactions, or environmental storytelling—would have helped build a stronger emotional connection to the characters and the world. This would have further immersed players and kept them more engaged in the overarching narrative.
That being said, Steel Paws does leave room for a follow-up title, with its ending hinting at further possibilities. If a sequel were to expand on the storytelling throughout the experience, it could elevate the series even further.
Hopefully, this is something YSNET takes into account for their next title—or even a future Shenmue game. Lore and story are key elements in keeping players engaged and encouraging them to return, alongside an addictive gameplay loop—which Steel Paws certainly has in abundance but without a story that is able to keep a player hooked for the duration, some gamers attention will be lost fairly easily.
Controls and Mechanics
Steel Paws utilises two control schemes – touch screen and using a controller with your mobile device. For the benefit of this review these will be looked at seperately.
Touchscreen Controls
In touchscreen mode, players use the left side of the screen to move the main character, while the right portion is used to control the camera (which is very difficult in this mode) and execute various actions during gameplay. Unfortunately, the overall experience with touchscreen controls is one of disappointment and frustration for this reviewer. It should be noted that I generally find touchscreen controls difficult so that might mitigate some of this.
Movement in this mode feels clunky and imprecise, making it difficult to maintain control—especially during intense battles with enemy robots. This issue is further compounded by the need to simultaneously manage the camera, which quickly becomes overwhelming. The combination of these factors creates a frustrating experience, often making combat feel chaotic rather than strategic.
As a result, touchscreen mode simply doesn’t work well and fails to provide an enjoyable gameplay experience, even for seasoned mobile players. The lack of fluidity and control makes it more of a hindrance than a viable way to play.
Mobile mode HUD and Gameplay
Controller
Fortunately, the experience is vastly improved when using a controller. Steel Paws is compatible with most Backbone-style or console controllers when paired with a mobile device, and the difference it makes in gameplay, control, and overall feel is nothing short of remarkable.
With a controller, movement, camera control, combat, and additional actions during battles all feel natural and well-balanced. Fights become far more enjoyable, each hit on an enemy robot feels satisfying, and the game’s true potential is finally unlocked. This fluid and responsive control scheme highlights Steel Paws at its best, making it the preferred way to experience the game.
Controller mode activated
Graphics and Presentation
Graphically, the game itself is very much in keeping with the initial reveal trailer from TGA in December 2024, which was stunning.
Reveal Trailer
The game’s visual style is a unique blend of anime aesthetics and the classic cel-shaded look reminiscent of the Dreamcast era. This fusion gives Steel Paws a distinct identity that sets it apart from many modern video games.
Players are treated to bold, vibrant colors, lush green environments, and the signature SEGA blue skies—all of which evoke the charm of old-school cel-shaded games. The architecture and world design feel like a loving homage to that era, yet with a modern twist that keeps the visuals fresh and engaging. In an era where games strive for ultra-realism, Steel Paws—like Air Twister before it—dares to stand out with its unique visual style, and this should be applauded.
The in-game HUD works well—even in the challenging touchscreen mode. However, the presentation falters slightly when it comes to the menus, which feel rather basic and lacking in impact compared to those found in other games across various platforms. While they are fully functional, they can feel a bit sluggish to navigate in certain areas. Their design is reminiscent of Air Twister’s menus, and it’s possible they were repurposed to save time and budget—which is understandable, but still leaves them feeling somewhat underwhelming.
Within the menus, players are given access to various control, video, and audio customization options. However, a resolution selection option was notably absent in the build tested.
Sound Design
YSNET’s previous title, Air Twister, featured a soundtrack composed specifically by Valencia, which, while unique and fitting for the game’s surreal fantasy setting, divided opinion among players. Some appreciated its distinct sound, while others felt it didn’t fully complement the gameplay.
In contrast, Shenmue III benefited from an extensive pre-existing library of music, drawing from the rich Shenmue catalog. While the game had some questionable music placements, the overall sound design worked well, maintaining the atmospheric charm of the series. This pattern of inconsistency in sound direction has been a recurring theme in YSNET’s previous titles—sometimes delivering memorable moments, while at other times feeling disjointed in execution.
However, Steel Paws completely shatters this trend, delivering YSNET’s strongest audio experience to date. From the moment you step into the game, the music and sound effects are expertly crafted, seamlessly enhancing the gameplay and atmosphere. The stage music stands out as a particular highlight, with each track beautifully composed to match the setting. Stage 3’s theme, in particular, is a standout—arguably the best track in the game—perfectly capturing the intensity, atmosphere and energy of the level.
Beyond the music, the sound effects are equally impressive. Every impact carries weight and satisfaction, from the solid clunk of landing a punch on an enemy robot to the crunch of snow breaking apart as you smash a snowman. These small yet meaningful audio details add a level of tactile feedback that greatly enhances the immersion.
Without a doubt, sound design is one of Steel Paws’ greatest strengths. This is YSNET’s best work in this area, hands down, with every track, effect, and audio cue feeling perfectly placed. Everything simply works, reinforcing the game’s tone and elevating the experience to another level.
Technical Performance
Performance-wise, on the Galaxy S23, the game ran at 30FPS, though there were occasional minor dips during both gameplay and cutscenes. This was tested on Ultra settings (available through the custom graphics setup), with lower settings providing a more stable performance. On the S25 Ultra, however, these performance issues were absent—likely due to the sheer power of the hardware, which kept the frame rate locked at 30FPS.
Additionally, frame smoothing on the S25 Ultra gives the game a 60FPS-like feel, enhancing both fluidity and overall presentation. If Steel Paws ever made its way to consoles—and it absolutely should—the hardware capabilities would easily allow 60FPS to be the standard target, providing an even smoother and more responsive experience.
Shenmue Easter Eggs
At first glance, it might seem unlikely that Steel Paws would contain any references to Shenmue—after all, it’s a game about feline-inspired robots battling their way through a mysterious tower. However, in a pleasant surprise, there are indeed a few small nods to the Shenmue series, some hidden in plain sight.
As you progress through combat encounters, pay close attention to the main character’s fighting techniques. Keen-eyed Shenmue fans will immediately recognize several familiar moves, including:
- Twin Palm Strike
- Body Check
- Elbow Assault
- Spinning Backfist
- …and more.
These attacks are lifted directly from Shenmue III, seamlessly incorporated into Steel Paws’ fast-paced combat system. This subtle yet meaningful homage to Suzuki’s past work makes fighting feel even more satisfying for long-time fans of his games.
From a technical perspective, it’s also clear that Steel Paws’ battle engine is a stripped-down version of Shenmue III’s fighting system. While simplified to fit the game’s arcade-style gameplay, the mechanics translate surprisingly well to this action-packed format. The fluidity of movement, combined with well-timed combos and enemy interactions, gives Steel Paws a distinct but familiar combat feel—one that longtime Suzuki fans will likely appreciate.
Elbow Assault from the Shenmue Series
Final Thoughts
Overall, Steel Paws delivers a solid experience with a gameplay loop that is addictive, fun, and rewarding to master. While it falls short in storytelling, menu presentation, and its overly difficult touchscreen controls, the game is still absolutely worth a player’s time and effort.
This is the kind of game where you can jump in for a quick 20-minute session, step away, and then easily come back for more. Conversely, it’s just as easy to lose track of time, spending hours battering robots without even realizing it. A fun experience.
✅ Strengths
- Addictive & Satisfying Gameplay Loop – Combat and progression keep players engaged.
- Unique Visual Style – A blend of anime and classic cel-shading reminiscent of the Dreamcast era.
- Strong Controller Support – Using a controller enhances gameplay significantly, making movement and combat feel smooth and responsive.
- Fun Customization & Upgrades – Players can enhance their character and Buddy Robots, adding depth to the experience.
- Great for Short or Long Play Sessions – Whether playing in short bursts or for hours, the game remains enjoyable.
- Potential for Console Release – If ported, the game could run at 60FPS and benefit from improved hardware.
❌ Weaknesses
- Weak Story & Limited Lore – Lacks depth compared to Air Twister, making the world feel less engaging.
- Frustrating Touchscreen Controls – Movement and camera controls feel clunky and imprecise, making combat more difficult than necessary.
- Basic Menu Design – Functional but lacks polish, feeling sluggish and uninspired.
- Performance Issues on Some Devices – Occasional FPS dips on the Galaxy S23 at Ultra settings, though lower settings improve stability.
- Netflix Exclusive (For Now) – Limited to mobile users for the time being, with no confirmation of a console/PC release yet.
Currently, Steel Paws is a Netflix exclusive on Android and iOS, but there’s hope that it will eventually make its way to consoles and PC. If Air Twister is anything to go by, we should be keeping an eye on March 25, 2026—when a one-year exclusivity deal may come to an end.
7.5/10 FINAL SCORE
