Carbon Steel
A downloadable game for Windows and Linux
"Carbon Steel" is out now on Steam,
as part of the Unsorted Horror collection.
GAMEPLAY
"Carbon Steel" is an experimental puzzle horror game, where you conduct unethical research in a hastily rebuilt laboratory. Work out how to operate miscellaneous machines, cross-check data tables and procure general anaesthesia. The difference between life and death can be any overlooked detail.
FEATURES:
- 15-20 minute playthrough.
- Over 10 pieces of separate equipment.
- Personal Apple Lisa 2 computer.
- Handcrafted environments.
- Multiple endings.
STORY
Looking to earn some quick cash, you sign up to work for a private research organization - three days of work for a year's worth of money. Upon arrival though, you realize it's not exactly a walk in the park. Even in this underground haven of research, where ethical guidelines do not exist, you've been assigned a task that no one else would dare to attempt.
Organisms would be raised from immeasurable depths. Their muffled screams would echo off the reinforced walls. The only thing standing between them and you is a steel vessel, designed by long-dead engineers.
There's a reason this laboratory was only used once. It's re-opening would go against all moral principles.
CONTENT WARNING:
Disturbing imagery. Flashing lights.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Development log
- v1.2 Patch NotesOct 11, 2022
- v1.1 Patch NotesOct 10, 2022
- SoundtrackOct 09, 2022
Comments
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Does this game have jumpscares?
...IN THE TEST CHAMBER
Similar concept to "The Other Side". Totally loved the environment, puzzle elements and interaction with the computer. Rusty, grimy and very atmospheric indie horror.
this is a very interesting game i love the idea
I REALLY liked this one! It was extremely well executed and I loved every moment of it. I was a tad confused at the start with the floppy disks but eventually figured it all out. This game starts at 27:44 in this lets play of the Unsorted Horror collection. I hope you like my playthrough and feedback in the vid!
Yet another phenomenal game from Mike! I love the mechanics included in this game and the atmosphere created is second to none! Highly recommend giving this a go!
You hit another game with perfect atmosphere that made my hair stand up!
i have one complaint. where has carbon steel’s OST gone? i need The Engineer!
Hello again! I was wondering what happened to this game's soundtrack, the playlist for it appears to be empty on your Soundcloud including Buckshot Roulette but that's available on your YouTube channel and various other platforms, however Steel Carbon's OST is nowhere to be found :(
This can be way longer and it would do it even way better, amazing game
Great game all around. Cool mechanics, excellent atmosphere, and generally just one of the most captivating aesthetics I've ever seen in a game. I kind of wish it was maybe a bit longer, but at the same time I found it a nice bite-sized experience that I managed to beat in less than an afternoon. Really cool.
This might be my favourite of all of your games so far, once again you pack so much into a short but extremely unsettling experience. The fact that you keep building such great atmospheric games without monsters or chases really shows how incredibly talented you are. Got to say I really love how many of your games has this puzzle focus on doing tasks over and over, this one in particuar was weirdly satisfying and by the third day I was really getting into the flow of taking the samples. Felt like I could've kept doing it for hours. Absolutely brilliant.
Very interesting game. The only one of the Unsorted Horror collection with more than one ending and the "bad" ending is absolutely haunting. Loved the gameplay loop and the new mechanic added in with each day. Great addition to this collection!
when i did the right combanation it still went wrong
same here. it has great atmosphere but Ive admnistered the anestesia about two dozen times ensuring i checked the correct disk and weight class, and I continually get reset. I tried to search for other people's videos playing but for some reason they all skipped straight to spoilers for the game instead of covering the early parts when I clicked. I am unsure how to continue. The directions are vague and I quite honestly have no clue what I could be doing wrong.
Hi, make sure you have the correct sub-class of the specimen. For example: Class C - Subclass 3.
Loved this - interesting gameplay (and fun!) with a really fitting soundtrack, very well made as well. Need moar levels
Very fun game will recommend
It is incredible how with so few mechanics you managed to create different situations and increase the difficulty progressively. And the beginning of the game reminded me of the opening sequence of the first Half life. It was a very good game
I am desperate for an "unending" mode where you can keep working. I love the gameplay loop and I just want to play it over and over again with different classes of subjects.
This got real sketchy real quick. I loved it
i played 'the other side' recently, and while it's the same sort of mechanic, it felt entirely different. i want to know so much more about the lore! i second the comment suggesting an endless mode of sorts, that'd be a ton of fun if you ever wanted to expand on this game (: the ending was HAUNTING, i felt so much dread. kudos!
Confined horror at it's peak! Same vibes as iron lung, raises more question than answers and I like it very much. Really hope this genre will gain more attention in the future.
Had a great experience playing it. Really interesting game. But I wish there was an endless mode with some modifications. It has something unique, that I wish could play it more.
This guy never misses!
could this game run on a low end laptop?
yes i believe it shouldnt be that tough to proceed
epic
i like it
I just did a play through of this game on YouTube it was a fun game
Is there an infinite mode? If not, I'd love to see one.
yeah i totally agree with this i would love an endless mode with maybe a little bit more content such as emails, machinery, etc. although just an endless mode with nothing else would be awesome. such an amazing game
Is there still no infinite mod ?
Absolute blast of a game that is 100% worth playing and both endings are pretty easy to get as well!
What a compelling game, Mike! Thank you for sharing it with the world. I played this one as part of the Unsorted Horror package on Steam and enjoyed this (and the rest of the collection) immensely. The atmosphere, music, gameplay, it all came together so well.
I was wondering if you'd consider making the project files available as a study tool (particularly Carbon Steel, but the rest as well if you're open to it). I'd like to make games in this gere and seeing how you did it, or even some sort of "behind the scenes" or "making of" video would be super helpful! Either way, thank you for making it :)
Hey I'm glad you liked it, thanks for playing :). I doubt I will making the source code public any time soon, and regardless I feel like looking at the project file doesn't really help anyone understand any of the systems either, since there is practically 0 documentation throughout the project. But that's just my educated guess.
But if you have any specific questions or something you'd need help with then feel free to send them to my e-mail and I'll get back to you!
That's totally fair. Okay cool, I'll send you an email then. Thanks for the reply!