Under The Iris is a single-player RPG set in a sci-fi environment where players take on the role of Taya, a cargo ship employee who becomes stranded on the low-tech planet Para after events in the Iris star-system go wrong. The game emphasizes personal choice in how the protagonist navigates her situation on a world known for its distinctive tribal and cultural elements.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on exploration across Para using hand-drawn pixel art. Players move through surface areas in a top-down view and switch to first-person perspectives during subterranean segments that function as dungeon crawlers. Interactions occur with various characters and groups encountered along the way, ranging from equipped space travelers to unusual entities. Movement relies on standard keyboard controls, with options to interact, check a map in certain areas, and manage text pacing.
Combat encounters allow multiple resolutions. Players can engage in turn-based shooting against opponents, attempt to resolve conflicts through seduction and temptation mechanics, or choose to disengage and flee. Each approach carries consequences that affect subsequent events and character responses. The system integrates with the overall narrative flow rather than standing apart as isolated battles.
Dialogue forms a key pillar, featuring branching paths that alter how the world and its inhabitants react to Taya. Choices made in conversations influence relationships, available options, and the unfolding events, with some decisions leading to permanent changes in the environment or character behaviors.
Game Modes
The experience operates as a cohesive single-player campaign without separate multiplayer or competitive modes. Instead, variety comes from the flexible encounter systems that let players shift between direct confrontation, non-violent persuasion, or avoidance. These options integrate into the exploration structure, where top-down travel on the planet surface leads into deeper first-person dungeon sections that expand on the same choice-driven framework.
Progression ties directly to narrative branches rather than traditional leveling or separate game variants. Players revisit areas or alter paths based on prior decisions, creating replay differences through dialogue outcomes and combat results without requiring distinct mode selections at the start.
Narrative and Atmosphere
The story follows Taya as she attempts to make the best of her stranding while uncovering layers of the planet's society. Emphasis falls on her personal motivations and the tension between immediate experiences and emerging revelations. The setting blends sci-fi elements with the planet's established cultural traits, presented through pixel art that supports both open traversal and confined exploration sequences.
An original soundtrack composed by Archie Whitepaw provides consistent atmospheric support throughout. It incorporates electronic and synthwave styles that match the tone of travel, encounters, and quieter moments without overpowering the gameplay focus.
Current Development State
Under The Iris remains in active development by a solo creator, with regular updates adding dialogue, areas, and artwork. Early versions include some placeholder elements and sections still under construction, while core systems for movement, combat resolution, and branching conversations are functional. The game supports keyboard input on PC and includes Android compatibility with ongoing refinements to touch controls.
Is It Worth Playing?
This title suits players interested in narrative-focused RPGs that prioritize choice consequences and multiple resolution paths over linear combat or extensive character customization. The combination of top-down exploration, first-person dungeon segments, and flexible encounter handling creates a distinct loop for those who enjoy seeing decisions ripple through the story and character interactions. Positive early feedback highlights the atmospheric presentation and the way seduction or escape options integrate meaningfully alongside traditional combat. As a work-in-progress with steady updates, it appeals most to those comfortable with ongoing development and interested in adult-themed sci-fi adventures built around player agency. Availability on PC makes it accessible for keyboard-based play, with the branching systems offering reasons to experiment with different approaches on subsequent runs.
