In a time when many developers are sticking to the classic 2D formula of old, these are bold choices for sure. Gameplay mechanics aside, another change is the new 3D approach to graphics and a sort of ‘open world’ design. As a side note, there is an in-game hint system available for players who get stuck, with a 30 second pause between each hint if one requires one more than one push in the right direction. While some of the solutions are inventive and others lead to funny situations, overall this new philosophy on solving most puzzles gets old pretty fast because of its repetitive nature. For example, making a robot act erratically to distract a guard, or swapping the ‘close’ and ‘open’ functions of a door. At the end of the first scene, a character gives Robert a hacking tool, and most of the puzzles that follow will involve interacting with that tool in order to modify the behavior of various systems we find. While the initial sequence does hint at classic graphical adventure mechanics - find items, talk to characters, solve puzzles - the rest of the experience follows a new blueprint. Interactivity is mostly limited to what’s required for the character progress, which is a bit of a shame.
Then, we can interact with them by examining, talking (or more rarely) using inventory items on them. We directly control Robert’s movements, trying to focus the screen on items or people. Naturally, players can expect many classic sci-fi tropes about a ‘perfect’ society that is not as perfect as it seems.īeyond a Steel Sky is still very much a point-and-click adventure game like its predecessor, with the exception that it’s more controller-friendly.
We play as Robert Foster and our main objective is rescuing a child who has been kidnapped and brought to Union City, a mega utopia built in the middle of the desert. Honestly, Beyond doesn’t go out of its way to brush newcomers up on the story so far - instead, after a rather strange comic book-style intro, we are merely dropped into a desert and left to discover old plot points as we move through the narrative. I can only imagine that when UK studio Revolution Software, of Broken Sword fame, decided to pitch a follow-up to their 1993 dystopian cult classic Beneath a Steel Sky, they did so well aware of what they were getting into. Trying to make a sequel to a game originally released 28 years ago is no easy task. WTF Why do I feel like I wouldn’t mind living in Union City? LOW Repetitive puzzles and a janky overall look.
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