Iron Lung

A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won't cause massive damage.

Without any mechanical complexity, story, or music to fall back on, the game must rely on a few jump scares to keep the audience awake. I suppose there is something admirable about a creator deciding to limit the scope of their work to exactly what they felt was necessary, but in the case of Iron Lung, that minimalism cuts too close to nothing.

While there’s a creeping sense of horror waiting for you, this game gets in its own way far too much to recommend in any way

Iron Lung is a masterclass of how to effectively build tension and dread. It runs at just the right length to explore its minimal gameplay ideas, while remaining mysterious and opaque enough to feel larger than the immediate experience. It's well worth the time for those who enjoy experimental game concepts or suffocating atmospheres, and what lurks in the blood ocean may stick with you well past your playtime.