Free Game of the Week: Beneath a Steel Sky

Beneath a Steel Sky was created by British developer Charles Cecil’s Revolution Software. Cecil had already developed one successful point-and-click adventure (1992’s Lure of the Temptress) and for his second he forged a creative partnership with legendary comic artist Dave Gibbons (best known for Watchmen). The result was a comic-book style cyberpunk adventure that manages to be sinister and humorous – and unmistakably British in that humour.

Set in a dystopian, post-nuclear war Australia, the game sees protagonist Robert Foster (named after the lager) abducted from his outback tribe and stranded in Union City, a giant pollution-choked megalopolis controlled by an all-powerful and malignant computer called LINC.

As Robert and his robot companion Joey progress through the game, you’ll solve a series of puzzles (classic point-and-click stuff, but well-balanced so as not to be overly tricky), explore the vast city, meet a cast of intriguing and colourful characters and solve the mystery behind Robert’s childhood as well as his relationship with LINC.

Even 20 years on, Beneath a Steel Sky is compelling, diverting stuff, and with a sequel in the offing (Charles Cecil has spoken of developing that once his current adventure game, Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse, is finished), there’s never been a better time to reacquaint yourself with it – or to play it for the first time.

Download Beneath a Steel Sky for free here