Beyond a Steel Sky

A long-awaited sequel to a 1994 classic that can't hold up against its predecessor.

Handsome visuals can't quite make up for bugs and a lack of urgency.

Filled with what made the original game great, this second trip to Union City has been worth the 26-year hiatus.

Glitches aside, this sequel to Beneath a Steel Sky is another absorbing journey into Union City

The 3D environments just don't have the same magic, either. Beyond a Steel Sky's visuals are basic, and its locations are all a bit sterile. And that's a shame, because at its core, this is a heartfelt and often charming video game. If you're an adventure fan, Foster's second foray into Union City is fun enough while it lasts — but it struggles to be anywhere near as memorable as the classic titles that it draws from.

Nonetheless, Beyond a Steel Sky magically brings its 1994 ancestor back to life. The style, the humour, the chirpy dystopia are all revived. However, a lot has happened since that first golden age of adventures, and if you want a creative addition to the indie-fuelled inventiveness of the modern genre then you should look elsewhere. This is a game that remembers exactly how great things were in 1994, but isn’t much interested in how great they were last week.

It is probably more often than not that long-time coming revivals don't stick the landing. Rather, they often feel cynical, desperate or misguided. Take Steps, for example. This absolutely is not the case with Beyond a Steel Sky. The writing and the way it weaves everything together honestly puts some of the biggest budget AAA movie titles to shame. Yes, there are some rough edges afforded by modern ascribe and default, but the fundamentals of a good story and adventure game are all present. More important is that it has a personality unique unto itself. It's clear why Revolution Software has such a loyal fanbase after all of these years.

Beyond the Steel Sky is full of big and small issues. From the fact that it took 28 years for it to come back, to its gameplay getting repetitive, to somehow ugly character designs and of course tons of bugs; but there is another fact here that no matter how many problems and no matter how big or small they are, it's very hard no to fall in love with it. Beyond the Steel Sky may not be a big budget AAA game that meets the standards of the industry these days, but it is a beautiful, fun and deep journey that takes you back to the good old days when gaming was just about gaming.

Net of some technical compromise, perhaps unacceptable for many, but justified by the budget of an evidently limited production, Beyond a Steel Sky is an appreciable title, and a worthy heir to that timeless classic that was Beneath a Steel Sky.

Beyond a Steel Sky is a really good adventure game that stands strong thanks to its solid writing, fun puzzles, and stunning presentation.