Ironseed

About

Ironseed is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Channel 7 Software and was released on September 21, 2020. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

In the 38th century, humanity lives on a terraformed Mars under the Pentateuch's rule. After the group starts purgation trials against political opponents, the Ironseed Movement plans to delete personality files and escape on a stolen ship. This 25th Anniversary Edition brings the original 1994 game to life with modern 3D graphics, faithful to the classic story of rebellion against a powerful technocracy.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 24 reviews

music4 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game successfully captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the original DOS version, providing an immersive experience of space exploration and survival.
Many bugs from the original have been fixed in the remake, enhancing gameplay and making it more accessible for new players while still retaining the core elements of the game.
The soundtrack and sound effects are highly praised, contributing to the unique and engaging sci-fi ambiance that fans of the genre will appreciate.

The user interface can be confusing and clunky, making it difficult for modern gamers to navigate and understand the game's mechanics.
Some players have reported new bugs in the remake, including an 'auto-win' situation during combat, which detracts from the overall experience.
The game may feel overly simplified compared to the original, with some hardcore fans expressing disappointment over the reduced difficulty and changes to the music.

music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The music in the game, composed by Andrew Sega (Necros), is highly praised for its kickass soundtrack and ability to evoke a sense of sci-fi bliss, with several standout tracks that players love. The remake features some original music rearranged between scenes, enhancing the overall experience, while the combination of excellent music and sound effects contributes to the game's quality. Overall, players express strong appreciation for the soundtrack, often owning it separately.
- “The music for this game is something I am a massive stickler for, and it is good.”
- “I own the soundtrack for this game, and there are a few songs that are pure sci-fi bliss.”
- “Coupled with good music in this game are excellent sound effects.”
- “Some of the original music swapped places between scenes in this remake.”
- “The music for this game... something I am a massive stickler for in my games is good.”
- “I own the soundtrack for this game and there are a few songs that are just pure sci-fi bliss.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
49%
38%
The gameplay remains faithful to the original, emphasizing depth and freedom, which some players find challenging even by modern standards. This game is recommended for those who prefer substance over graphics in their gaming experience.
- “If you are tired of all the 'newer' games that put graphics over gameplay, give this one a go.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this game is hard.”
- “Plot and key elements of gameplay are pretty much the same and stay true to the original.”
- “Even by today's standards, this game is far-reaching and offers a lot of freedom and depth of gameplay.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
50%
17%
The game features retro pixelated graphics that evoke nostalgia, allowing players to immerse themselves in the experience despite the dated art style and interface. While some may find the graphics lacking compared to modern titles, they serve to enhance the gameplay rather than overshadow it.
- “The retro pixelated graphics will melt away before you know it and your imagination will take over.”
- “If you are tired of all the 'newer' games that put graphics over gameplay, give this one a go.”
- “The font, the art style, and even the clunkiness of the interface definitely make their age felt.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and unique sci-fi setting, evoking a genuine sense of isolation and exploration in space. Influenced by innovative concepts from the 1990s, it successfully creates a compelling lore that enhances the overall experience.
- “This was my favorite game in the nineties - a space exploration and crafting game with a real feeling of being lost in space, featuring a very hardcore sci-fi setting and atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere and lore are rather unique, being influenced by a lot of concepts that were brand-new back in the 1990s.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The reviews indicate confusion regarding the terms "skill" and "performance," with users uncertain about their implications for task speeds and overall gameplay experience. This lack of clarity suggests that the game's optimization may not be effectively communicated or implemented.
- “I have no idea what skill and performance do, task speeds?”
- “Skill, performance, and sanity.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect in the remake to be quite tedious, particularly when it comes to sector travel, which can lead to a repetitive experience.
- “It may get really tedious in the remake, especially sector travel.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story revolves around a straightforward premise where players explore the universe to gather resources while gradually uncovering the main narrative arc.
- “The premise is pretty simple: explore the universe for resources while unraveling the main story arc.”