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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Video Game

Iron Lung

Iron Lung is a 2022 submarine simulation horror video game developed and published by David Szymanski.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Iron Lung is a 2022 submarine simulation horror video game developed and published by David Szymanski. The player controls an unnamed convict sent to explore an ocean of blood on a desolate moon in a small, rusted submarine nicknamed the Iron Lung. The game is known for its short length, claustrophobic atmosphere, and minimal navigation tools.

Gameplay

Iron Lung is played from inside a cramped submarine where the player must navigate without a forward view. The main objective is to locate and photograph marked points of interest while managing the vessel’s limited systems and the threat of the unknown below.

Story

The game is set in a future after the Quiet Rapture, when humanity has lost access to stars and habitable worlds. A convict is sent into a blood ocean on an alien moon to gather evidence and information, under the promise of freedom if the mission is completed.

Release

Iron Lung was first released for Windows in March 2022. A Nintendo Switch version followed later in 2022, with additional console and mobile releases arriving in 2025.

Reception

The game is generally described in sources as a short, dread-driven horror experience. It is frequently noted for its intense atmosphere, minimalism, and strong sense of confinement.

Key facts

  • The game was developed and published by David Szymanski.
  • It is a short horror game focused on navigating a tiny submarine.
  • The player photographs points of interest in an ocean of blood.
  • The submarine’s forward window is sealed, forcing blind navigation by instruments and sensors.
  • Later ports released on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Android.

Frequently asked questions

What is Iron Lung game?
Iron Lung is a short submarine horror game in which the player pilots a small sub through an ocean of blood on an alien moon.
How do you play Iron Lung?
You navigate the submarine using instruments and sensors, since the front window is blocked, and you must photograph locations of interest while trying to survive.
What is Iron Lung game story?
The story follows an unnamed convict sent after the Quiet Rapture to investigate a blood ocean on a desolate moon, with the promise of freedom if the mission succeeds.
What is the Iron Lung game release date?
Iron Lung released on Windows on March 10, 2022, and on Nintendo Switch on December 19, 2022.
What is the Iron Lung game review?
Reviews and descriptions commonly call it a short, dread-driven horror game with a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere and minimalist design.
What is the Iron Lung game ending?
The game ends abruptly and bleakly after the submarine’s mission unravels, with the protagonist’s fate tied to the creature or force in the blood ocean.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Lung_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, genre, premise, and release dates
  2. Steam — https://store.steampowered.com/app/1846170/Iron_Lung/
    Supports: Game description, genre, and initial release date
  3. IGN — https://www.ign.com/games/iron-lung
    Supports: Gameplay overview and release date
  4. WIUX — https://www.wiux.org/article/2026/02/iron-lung-translating-horror-accurately-from-a-video-games-to-the-big-screen
    Supports: Story setup, setting, and the convict premise
  5. VICE — https://www.vice.com/en/article/iron-lung-is-a-terrifying-horror-game-about-your-inevitable-demise/
    Supports: Gameplay constraints, atmosphere, and objective