By Drew Swanson
Horror fans and Steam users have the chance to pick up Iron Lung for incredibly cheap right now, before heading off to see the movie that inspired it. Steam has plenty of indie horror games for players to explore, but Iron Lung has quickly cemented itself as one of the platform's most iconic, largely thanks to the eyes it has gotten from popular YouTuber Markiplier and his let's play of the game. Nearly three years after that series released, Markiplier has debuted his first feature film based on the same game, and now is the perfect time for fans to experience it with the movie in theaters.
Iron Lung was first released back in 2022 by solo developer David Szymanski, known for his work on titles such as Dusk, Gloomwood, and Squirrel Stapler. The game is relatively short, and can be completed in around 2-3 hours. However, as the game's "Very Positive" Steam reviews can attest, Iron Lung is more than worth the price of entry, especially on sale for under $5.
Iron Lung is Currently On Sale for Only $3.99 On Steam Until February 6
Steam currently has Iron Lung on sale for only $3.99, a 50% off mark down from its typical $7.99 price tag. This price also matches the game's historic low on the platform, meaning interested players who have put off picking up Iron Lung have the perfect excuse to do so. With Markiplier's Iron Lung film adaptation now in theaters, players can experience the game in its entirety before heading to watch the film on the big screen.
The gameplay of Iron Lung is relatively simple: players are trapped in a small submarine, named the "Iron Lung," and must navigate through treacherous environments within an ocean of blood on an alien moon using only the submarine's onboard equipment. Along the way, the submarine's camera will increasingly capture bizarre and terrifying photos that slowly reveal more about the world the player inhabits. Despite the game's short runtime, reviews on Steam point toward its tense atmosphere, disturbing visuals, and fascinating worldbuilding as its main selling point.
It's these elements that make Iron Lung the perfect indie horror game to adapt into a movie. Back in 2023, Markiplier announced that he would be adapting the game into a feature-length film, written by and starring himself. The YouTuber has a history of live-action acting roles, including the YouTube Original short series In Space with Markiplier, as well as the Amazon Prime miniseries The Edge of Sleep, based on the thriller podcast audio drama he also starred in.
With Iron Lung, Markiplier aims to expand the world and storytelling of the game, fleshing out distinct characters while maintaining the same basic premise as the original game. As such, it's best to play the video game Iron Lung before seeing the movie in order to get the ideal experience.
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This article originally appeared on GameRant and is republished here with permission.
