Steel Empire is a steampunk-themed strategy RPG. Taking place in an alternate 19th century, advanced steam technology has led to bitter resource wars and, following the assassination of the head of state of the Republic of Grand Hill, the continent of Ashirama has fallen into factional warfare. Many mercenary groups have popped up as a result, and the player takes control of the head of one such group. Steel Empire features a mixture of real-time strategy components along with turn-based skirmishes; longer-term strategy and resource planning takes place in real-time, while individual battles are played out in turn-based form.