All good graphic adventures contain an array of puzzles to solve and Beneath a Steel Sky is no exception. Rather than using icons, the game makes use of a single cursor for all actions and employs the technique of screen 'hot spots.' In some ways this simplifies the game by limiting on-screen choices at times, but it's a breeze to master and breeds a comfort factor whether clicking on one of dozens of characters for interaction/dialogue, picking up or using an object, opening doors, working levers, and so forth. It does, however, manage to overcome all those shortcomings and provide an interesting look at a future world, filled with bleak and cutthroat industrial real world problems. This is one game that actually gets better after the opening sequences.īeneath a Steel Sky would not win any prizes or awards for outstanding graphics presentation, an innovative interface, or superlative writing.

In fact, it's the voice acting that saves the script from sounding too amateurish along with the humor that creates an immersive counterpoint to the actual simplicity of the plot.

Taken as a complete package, though, Beneath a Steel Sky becomes an enjoyable and funny experience. Take any of the aforementioned components separately, throw in a weird but effective interface, and the result would be less than attractive. Relying mainly on voice acting, humor, and a somewhat cliche-filled script to further the plot, the game scores big points for a refreshing approach because of the overall integrated presentation. Beneath a Steel Sky begins with a comic book introduction which serves notice that the game is a bit different from the normal graphic adventure seen in the genre at the time of release (1994).

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