The Steel Empire

From Sega Retro

For the aftermarket re-release, see Steel Empire (Strictly Limited Games).

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • PAL
  • NTSC-J

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SteelEmpire MD EU TitleScreen.png

SteelEmpire MD JP TitleScreen.png

The Steel Empire
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: HOT-B (Japan), Flying Edge (US, Europe)
Developer:
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Hent Gruppen (SE rental), Datart International (CZ)
Sound driver: Cube/Noriyuki Iwadare
Genre: Shooting[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,8007,800 T-28033
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9549.95[4] T-81046
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-80146-50
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MD81046
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[6] T-80146-50
Sega Mega Drive
SE
(Rental)
Sega Mega Drive
CZ
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Non-Sega versions
No results

The Steel Empire, called Empire of Steel in Europe and Koutetsu Teikoku (鋼鉄帝国) in Japan, is a 1992 shoot-'em-up for the Sega Mega Drive developed by HOT-B and published in the US and Europe by Acclaim-owned Flying Edge.

In the US, the game was originally set to be published by Sage's Creation under the title Battlewings, before handing the license to Acclaim.

Story

The game presents itself as an old-time war film produced by the "HOT-B Film Corporation". In the film, the future is the Steel Age, where a military dictatorship called Motorhead enslaved the human population. The only hope for freedom is the Republic of Silverhead, who managed to remain independent, and who alone has the weapons to take out Motorhead.

Gameplay

Steel Empire MD, Plane Select.png

Plane select

The game is a horizontally scrolling shoot-'em-up that takes place in an alternate late 19th century world. Aircraft and weaponry have a "steampunk" aesthetic, with propeller-based aircraft, biplanes, dirigibles, and heavily armored steam trains featuring as enemy designs. The player can choose between two Silverhead aircraft, the Striker and the ZEP-01. The Striker is a nimble propeller plane, and the ZEP-01 is bulky but durable zeppelin.

The aircraft can move in any direction using the D-Pad. It shoots to the left with B or shoots to the right with C (but cannot shoot in both directions at the same time). In addition to firing a stream of bullets in front of or behind the aircraft, each craft also fires a secondary weapon simultaneously. The Striker drops bombs downward at ground targets, while the ZEP-01 launches bombs in an upward arc (which then plummet toward the ground if they do not hit a target). Both aircraft carry a limited supply of Lightning Bombs, which are detonated with A. Lightning Bombs explode in a burst of lightning that destroys every enemy on screen (as well neutralizing enemy projectiles).

The game features a leveling system: after collecting three experience power-ups, the aircraft gains a level, increasing the strength of its primary and secondary weapons, up to a maximum of 20. The aircraft can also be equipped with two outrigger planes that follow it and add additional firepower.

The aircraft has a vitality gauge, which empties as it takes damage from enemies. The gauge flashes "WARNING!" when the aircraft is one hit away from destruction. It respawns in place if the player has extra lives remaining, retaining its experience and level. If all lives are lost, the player must use a continue, which restarts the player at either the beginning or midpoint of a stage depending on the player's progress. Continuing zeroes the player's score but keeps the aircraft's level.

Items

Steel Empire MD, Items.png
Destroy to release an item.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
Destroy to release a ring of five EXP items and one Point item.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 Bomb
Arms the aircraft with another Lightning Bomb.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 Point
Awards 100 bonus points.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 Vitality
Restores some vitality to the aircraft.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 Speed
Increases the movement speed of the aircraft.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 Option
Adds 2 outrigger planes, which are small planes that follow the aircraft and augment its fire.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 EXP
Adds another square of experience. The aircraft levels up with every three experience points acquired, up to level 20.
Steel Empire MD, Items.png
 1-Up
Gives the player an extra life.

Stages

SteelEmpire MD Stage1.png

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Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2 Boss 1.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2 Boss 2.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage1.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2 Boss 1.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 1-2 Boss 2.png

The Mine City of Rahl

SteelEmpire MD Stage2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-1 Boss.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 2-2 Boss.png

The Liedengel Caverns

SteelEmpire MD Stage3.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage3.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

Sky District Zektor

SteelEmpire MD Stage4.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-1 Boss.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-2 Boss.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage4.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-1 Boss.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 4-2 Boss.png

Gardandi Beach

SteelEmpire MD Stage5.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2 Boss 1.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2 Boss 2.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage5.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2 Boss 1.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 5-2 Boss 2.png

Dama City

SteelEmpire MD Stage6.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-1 Boss 1.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-1 Boss 2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-2 Boss.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage6.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-1 Boss 1.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-1 Boss 2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 6-2 Boss.png

Germburn Fortress

SteelEmpire MD Stage7.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 3.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 4.png

Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 5.png

  • SteelEmpire MD Stage7.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 2.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 3.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 4.png

  • Steel Empire MD, Stage 7 Boss 5.png

Lunar Space

History

Legacy

A Game Boy Advance remake was released in Japan and Europe in 2004. Another remake was released for the Nintendo 3DS eShop in 2014. It was later ported to PC and released on Steam in 2018.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Empire of Steel Empire of Steel
English (US) The Steel Empire The Steel Empire
Japanese 鋼鉄帝国 Koutetsu Teikoku

Production credits

As the game presents itself as a film, some of the staff roles make little sense in this game. In situations where the actual role is known, it is parenthesized after the role given in the game.

  • Director: N.Yamaguchi
  • Co-Director: Y.Satake
  • Producer: A.Tomonaga
  • Executive Producer: J.Kuriyama
  • Screenplay: K.Asai
  • Based on the Novel by: Carr.H.Schitch: (ↄ)"Steel Empire" 1819
  • Music: Cube Co., Ltd.
  • Music Composer: I.Mizoguchi, Y.Kubotera, N.Iwadare
  • Special Sound Effectes: [sic] M.Hikichi
  • Re-Recording Engineer: Dougen.Sibuya
  • Production Supervisor: A.Tomonaga
  • Operating Cameramen: Y.Hirasawa, T.Suzuki
  • Location Director of Photography: (co-programmer): K.Endoh
  • Conceptual Artist: Kemono I.
  • Art Director: S.Hatsuya
  • Set Director: K.Nishi
  • Mattepainting Supervisor: V.Bestie
  • Modelshop Supervisor: S.Riot.H
  • Construction Manager: [sic] M.Yorozuya
  • Head Effects Animation: N.Yamaguchi
  • Steadicam(R) Plate Photography: K.Suganuma, N.Nakane, A.Tomonaga
  • Translation Assist: Sarah.Y
Source:
In-game credits
Steel Empire MD credits.pdf
[7]
Source:
Uncredited


Magazine articles

Main article: The Steel Empire/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #8: "May/June 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (US) #8: "May/June 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (US) #36: "July 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[8]
  • (US) #36: "July 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[9]
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Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (JP) #1991-10: "October 1991" (1991-09-07)
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Print advert in (JP) #1991-11: "November 1991" (1991-10-08)
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Print advert in (ES) #7: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (ES) #14: "Noviembre 1992" (1992-xx-xx)[10]
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

  • US/EU cover

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
40
[11]
(JP) NTSC-J
73
[12]
(FR)
82
[13]
(UK)
90
[14]
(UK)
79
[15]
(JP) NTSC-J
65
[16]
(US) NTSC-U
85
[17]
(UK)
70
[18]
(UK)
79
[19]
(JP) NTSC-J
50
[20]
(ES)
89
[21]
(FR) NTSC-J
82
[22]
(FR) PAL
82
[23]
(FR) NTSC-J
72
[24]
(UK) PAL
84
[25]
(JP) NTSC-J
68
[26]
(DE) NTSC-U
82
[27]
(US) NTSC-U
70
[28]
(UK) NTSC-J
85
[29]
(UK)
70
[30]
(UK)
70
[31]
(FR)
85
[32]
(DE)
56
[33]
(UK) PAL
54
[34]
(UK) NTSC-J
72
[35]
(UK) PAL
60
[36]
(SE)
86
[37]
(UK) PAL
72
[38]
(JP) NTSC-J
81
[39]
(BR) NTSC-J
86
[40]
(RU)
44
[41]
(US) NTSC-U
60
[4]
(DE)
63
[42]
Sega Mega Drive
 72
Based on
33 reviews

The Steel Empire

Mega Drive, JP
SteelEmpire MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
SteelEmpire MD JP CartTop.jpg
SteelEmpire MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Steelempire md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
TSE MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Steelempire MD US cart.jpg
Cart
Steel Empire MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, EU
EoS MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
EoS MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Empire Of Steel MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
Empire Of Steel MD PT Box Back.jpgNospine.pngEmpire Of Steel MD PT Box.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; black)
SteelEmpire MD SE rental cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, SE (rental; Hent; orange)
SteelEmpire MD SE rental ALT Box Back.jpgNospine.pngSteelEmpire MD SE rental ALT cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, CZ (Datart)
EoS MD CZ Box Front.jpeg
Cover
EoS MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Notavailable.svg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: The Steel Empire/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:SteelEmpire MD JP Box.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  3. ↑ Sega Visions, "May/June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 58
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "July 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 111
  5. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-11-16), page 28
  6. ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 87
  7. ↑ File:Steel Empire MD credits.pdf
  8. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 78
  9. ↑ GamePro, "July 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 8
  10. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 10
  11. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 223
  12. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-08), page 38
  13. ↑ Consoles +, "Mars 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 82
  14. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-15), page 62
  15. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 41
  16. ↑ Famitsu, "1992-03-20" (JP; 1992-03-06), page 39
  17. ↑ GamePro, "June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 56
  18. ↑ Games-X, "26th March-1st April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-26), page 22
  19. ↑ Game Zone, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-xx), page 64
  20. ↑ Hippon Super, "February 1992" (JP; 1992-01-07), page 96
  21. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Noviembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 112
  22. ↑ Joypad, "Mai 1992" (FR; 1992-04-1x), page 90
  23. ↑ Joypad, "Décembre 1992" (FR; 1992-1x-xx), page 166
  24. ↑ Joystick, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 150
  25. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 91
  26. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "June 1992" (JP; 1992-05-08), page 83
  27. ↑ Mega Fun, "06/92" (DE; 1992-0x-xx), page 27
  28. ↑ Mega Play, "August 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
  29. ↑ MegaTech, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-20), page 36
  30. ↑ Mean Machines, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-28), page 96
  31. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 138
  32. ↑ Player One, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-11-10), page 94
  33. ↑ Power Play, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-13), page 146
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 36
  35. ↑ Sega Pro, "May 1992" (UK; 1992-04-16), page 43
  36. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  37. ↑ Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 8
  38. ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 86
  39. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 85
  40. ↑ Supergame, "Julho 1992" (BR; 1992-07-xx), page 16
  41. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 178
  42. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 48


The Steel Empire

TheSteelEmpire MDTitleScreen.png

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Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: Prototype | 1992-03-13
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