Iron Lung

The main pros of the game

• Atmosphere and Sound Design: Many users praised the game's ability to create a tense, immersive atmosphere through excellent sound design and minimal visuals. The feeling of claustrophobia and dread is effectively conveyed, enhancing the horror experience.
• Unique Concept: The premise of navigating a submarine through an ocean of blood using only coordinates and a map is seen as innovative and engaging. The gameplay mechanics of relying on sonar and photographs add to the uniqueness.
• Tension and Build-Up: The game builds tension effectively, with a slow burn that keeps players on edge. The psychological horror aspect, relying on the unknown and unseen, resonated well with many players.
• Lore and World-Building: Players appreciated the lore and background provided through logs and environmental storytelling, which added depth to the experience.

The main cons of the game

• Short Length: A common critique is that the game is too short, typically taking around 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to complete. Many players felt this brevity made the price of $7.99 unjustifiable.
• Limited Gameplay: Users noted that the gameplay can feel repetitive and lacks depth, with some describing it as tedious. The navigation mechanics, while unique, can become monotonous over time.
• Predictable Scares: Some players felt that the jump scares were predictable and did not provide the level of fright they expected, leading to a less impactful horror experience.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

• Replayability: Many reviews pointed out the lack of replay value, suggesting that additional content, alternate endings, or procedural generation could enhance the experience.
• Expanded Gameplay Mechanics: Players expressed a desire for more interactive elements or varied gameplay to maintain engagement throughout the short runtime.
• Improved Tutorial: Some users mentioned that the tutorial could be better, as it took time to understand the navigation mechanics, which could be frustrating for new players.
• More Story Development: A few users felt that the story could be expanded upon, with a more satisfying conclusion or deeper exploration of the lore throughout the gameplay.

Summary

• In summary, while "Iron Lung" is celebrated for its atmospheric horror and unique concept, it faces criticism for its short length, limited gameplay, and predictability in scares. Users suggest enhancements that could improve replayability and overall engagement.

Summary generated on: November 17, 2025