Iron Lung is a short, dread-driven submarine horror game from the developer of DUSK, The Moon Sliver, and Squirrel Stapler. In this article, we will explore the chilling ending of Iron Lung and delve into the themes of desperation, isolation, and the fragility of human sanity.
Warning: Spoilers ahead! If you haven’t played the game yet, we recommend experiencing it for yourself before reading further.
A Desperate Mission: The Convict’s Journey
Iron Lung places players in the shoes of a convict sent on a perilous mission to explore a mysterious moon with an ocean, believed to be humanity’s last hope for resources as the stars in the universe die out. The game features experimental minimalist gameplay, forcing players to navigate their surroundings using an incomplete satellite map, proximity sensors, and a grainy still camera.
Throughout the game, players uncover remnants of past expeditions, alien structures, and unnerving signs of a potential threat lurking beneath the ocean’s blood-red waters.
The Ending: Space Madness and the Collapse of Reality
As players reach the game’s conclusion, they must confront the horrifying implications of their discoveries and the nature of the mission itself. Several theories emerge, each more unsettling than the last:
- Space Madness: The crew of a deep-space ship becomes lost and isolated, eventually falling prey to paranoia and madness. Believing themselves to be the last remnants of humanity, they maintain a brutal regime of discipline and send dissenters on suicidal missions. The convict’s journey may be just another such mission, with the crew leaving them to their fate without attempting to salvage any resources from the moon.
- Alien Civilization: The blood-red ocean, alien structures, and aggressive wildlife could be remnants of a dying alien civilization, desperately attempting to fend off human intruders as their resources dwindle. The “blood” might not be blood at all, but a form of alien algae or a deliberate attempt to scare off humans.
- Simulation Shutdown: In a more existential interpretation, the game’s events could signify the beginning of the end for a simulated reality. As extra-dimensional beings start shutting down the simulation, the suns disappearing could be the first step, with black holes and other cosmic phenomena vanishing as the process continues. The plight of the player and the crew could be a mere side effect of this larger cosmic event.
The Aftermath: Embracing the Unknown
Regardless of the theory players choose to believe, Iron Lung’s ending leaves them with a sense of unease and introspection. The game’s chilling atmosphere and minimalist design serve as a haunting reminder of the fragility of human sanity and the terrifying unknown that lies at the edge of our understanding.
In conclusion, Iron Lung is a thought-provoking and deeply unsettling gaming experience that invites players to confront the horrors of isolation, desperation, and the collapse of reality. The game’s enigmatic ending serves as a testament to the power of human imagination and our ability to create our own worst nightmares when faced with the unknown.
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Does Iron Lung have multiple endings?
No, Iron Lung has only one ending to the story. The Dev said on Steam forums that he also considered a different ending, but never multiple endings.
