Ironseed

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

100%

Audience ScoreBased on 13 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game successfully captures the nostalgic atmosphere of the original 90's version while improving on many technical issues, making it a faithful remake.
The immersive gameplay allows players to explore space, gather resources, and manage a crew, providing a unique experience that blends exploration with transhumanism themes.
The soundtrack and sound effects enhance the overall experience, contributing to the game's retro sci-fi vibe and making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.

The interface can be confusing and may require patience from modern gamers, as it lacks the streamlined design found in contemporary games.
Some players have reported bugs and balance issues, including combat glitches and unclear mechanics that can hinder gameplay.
The game is significantly easier than the original, which may disappoint hardcore fans looking for a challenging experience reminiscent of the 90's difficulty.

music
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The music in the game, composed by Andrew Sega (Necros), is highly praised for its kickass soundtrack and ability to enhance the gaming experience, with several tracks described as "pure sci-fi bliss." Players appreciate the original music's integration into different scenes in the remake, alongside excellent sound effects, contributing to an overall positive reception of the audio elements.
- “The kickass soundtrack by Andrew Sega (Necros) also helps.”
- “The music for this game is something I am a massive stickler for in my games.”
- “I own the soundtrack for this game, and there are a few songs that are pure sci-fi bliss.”
- “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
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The gameplay retains the original's plot and key elements, appealing to those who prefer substance over graphics. It features added tutorials for mechanics, but is noted for its challenging difficulty and offers significant freedom and depth.
- “If you are tired of all the 'newer' games that put graphics over gameplay, give this one a go.”
- “Tutorials were added with explanations on mechanics.”
- “Gameplay-wise, this game is hard.”
- “The 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
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The game's retro pixelated graphics evoke nostalgia, allowing players to immerse themselves in the experience despite the dated art style and interface. While some may find the visuals lacking compared to modern titles, they serve to enhance the gameplay rather than overshadow it.
- “If you are tired of all the 'newer' games that prioritize graphics over gameplay, give this one a go.”
- “The retro pixelated graphics will melt away before you know it, and your imagination will take over.”
- “The font, the art style, and even the clunkiness of the interface definitely make their age felt.”
- “If you are tired of all the 'newer' games that put graphics over gameplay, give this one a go.”
- “The retro pixelated graphics will melt away before you know it and your imagination will take over.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive and unique sci-fi setting, evoking a genuine sense of isolation in space. Influenced by innovative concepts from the 1990s, it effectively combines exploration and crafting elements to create a compelling and atmospheric 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
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Reviews indicate that the game's optimization is lacking, with users expressing confusion over the terms "skill" and "performance," suggesting that the game's mechanics and task speeds are not clearly defined or effectively implemented. Overall, this has led to a frustrating experience for players.
- “I have no idea what skill and performance do; task speeds?”
- “Skill, performance, and sanity.”
- “I have no idea what skill and performance do. Task speeds?”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect in the remake to be quite tedious, particularly noting that sector travel can become monotonous.
- “Grinding can become incredibly tedious in the remake, especially when it comes to sector travel.”
- “The repetitive nature of grinding makes the experience feel more like a chore than enjoyable gameplay.”
- “I found myself spending hours on grinding, which took away from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
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.”
- “The narrative is engaging and keeps you invested in the characters' journeys.”
- “The story is rich with lore and offers unexpected twists that enhance the overall experience.”
- “The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Character development is minimal, leaving the plot feeling flat and uninteresting.”
- “The narrative is predictable and fails to offer any surprising twists or turns.”