An entertaining game, albeit a little too ambitious.
Controlling your mecha or "Trotmobile" in the game might require some time to get used to, and players might find the use of both analog sticks for movement and camera controls producing somewhat retarded action and unintended mistakes occuring almost too often. The camera is also quite affected by this sticky control system and you might find yourself taking punches to the face wile you are still desprately trying to get your Trotmobile to respond to your controls. If you can get past that, or get used to it and master the controls, the game gets much easier.
You can go through a lot of the game and not do things you do not enjoy doing, most of the time. But additional perks like a hint of romance, city life, and (more or less) lesiure travelling do contribute some variety to the game. There is also a music-playing aspect to the game, with a cariety of instruments that fans of Japanese arcade imports "Beatmania" and "Keyboard Mania" will enjoy. Customizable Trotmobile parts also add the the variability and freshness of the game should you want to play it more than once to unlock different endings.
Overall, Steambot Chronicles is a rather entertaining game. But the half-developed extra activities throughout the game does give one a feeling that it is trying to address too many gameplay genres at one time, though it has somehow met with moderate success. If you are only midly concerned about the rather difficult-to-get-used-to controls , then Steambot Chronicles does promise hours of fun and exploration as you go through the game.