Beneath A Steel Sky : Walkthrough

A classic game, deserves a classic text walkthrough.
Spoiler-free!

Intro

Hi there! Beneath a Steel Sky (BASS) is a 1994 cyberpunk science-fiction point-and-click adventure game developed for MS-DOS and Amiga home computers[en.wikipedia.org] by Revolution Software and Virgin Interactive Entertainment.

As of July 27, 2020, BASS is available to play for free on Steam! If you're already familiar with ScummVM[www.scummvm.org] and have played this game before, then you know exactly what you're in for, no introduction needed.

In this walkthrough, all:
INTERACTABLE ITEMS are in bold uppercase.
characters are in italics.
key areas are underlined for easy reference.

• ALT+ENTER toggles between fullscreen and windowed mode.
  
• ESC button skips cutscenes.
  
• F5 opens up the game menu - load/save file from here
  
• LMB: Explore / Look at / Skip conversations
  
• RMB: Pick-up / Use
  
• Hover your mouse to the top edge of the screen to reveal the inventory. Items within the inventory can be selected with a right-click and then used in the game environment.

Critical Point! Hit F5

Auto-saves are now enabled in the latest version 

*this guide is best viewed via the Steam app on your smartphone.


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Union Recycling Plant

After the intro cutscene, you’ll arrive at the Union Re-Cycling Plant. Grab the RUNG on your left near the red/white cable by clicking the right mouse-button.

The DOOR to the right is locked. Select the METAL BAR in your inventory (top of screen) then figure out how to use it on the DOOR at the far right upstairs to pry it open.

select = [left-mouse-button]
   use = [right-mouse-button]

Outside, take note of the large S SIGN on the far right corner of the screen. Exit through the door (open with a right-click).

Then head downstairs by clicking anywhere around the lower floor [allow some walk time]. Once downstairs, examine the PRESS and then enter the entrance to the right.

In the next room, you'll find an ELEVATOR and a TRANSPORTER.

Head into a room on the right to meet a MAN named Hobbins. Chat with him about the TRANSPORTER, and everything else.

Notice the CUPBOARD below? You can’t access it while Hobbins is nearby. So, head back to the previous room. Search the floor JUNK to uncover a ROBOT SHELL. Combine it with the CIRCUIT BOARD from your inventory to activate Joey.

Try using the TRANSPORTER, then ask Joey to start it.
(Credit to: The little Potato & Crys)



Return to the junk room, talk to Joey again about starting the TRANSPORTER, then stand on the striped ELEVATOR. Hobbins will leave to investigate, giving you a chance to sneak into his CUPBOARD. Grab the WRENCH and the SANDWICH (optional snack).

Back in the junk room, watch the TRANSPORTER load barrels onto the ELEVATOR. Stand on the side with the long pole. When a barrel drops, the ELEVATOR lowers and reveals a HOLE. Click it to slide down. Joey will follow.

Furnace Room

You are now in the FURNACE ROOM. Notice the AI CAMERA in the upper foreground. There’s a DOOR here with a LOCK panel next to it. Ask Joey to hack it for you.

Inspect Reich’s bloody CORPSE to collect a pair of DARK GLASSES and an ID CARD.

Feel free to exit the Furnace Room and check out the upper-level walkway if you’re curious.

::MAP:: UPPER LEVEL

Pipe Factory

Let’s head to the Pipe Factory. You'll encounter a WOMAN named Anita. After your conversation, Gilbert Lamb, the supervisor, will show up. Talk to him as well.

Exit to the right and speak with a MAN holding a clipboard named Potts. Use your WRENCH on the COGS in the center of the room. Don’t forget to pick it back up afterward.

Return to the previous area and use the WRENCH on the ROBOT. Then talk to Joey about upgrading his shell with a welding mod.

Head back to the room with the BROKEN COGS and try entering the storeroom on the left. Ask Joey to go inside. Once he returns, persuade him to disable the fuse box in the stores.

You now have access to the storeroom without triggering the SENSORS. Lift the GANGWAY and collect the PUTTY hidden underneath. Also pick up the WD-40 and KEY.

Upon exiting, Potts will search you and confiscate the WD-40, KEY, SANDWICH, and DARK GLASSES.

Leave the Pipe Factory. Near the Crash Site exit, inspect the red CABLE and have Joey cut it using his welder. The cable will drop down to the middle level.

Power Plant

Hit F5 and save your game progress

Now let’s head to the Power Plant. Chat with the old bloke and feel free to mess around with the objects in the room.

Near the entrance, you'll spot two BUTTONS below a steam pipe. Use the WRENCH to unlock them. Then, coordinate with Joey and have him press the right button while you press the left. This will overload the steam valve, forcing the old man to leave.

Turn off the main SWITCH above the CONTROL PANEL and take the LIGHT BULB. Apply the PUTTY to the LIGHT SOCKET, then switch the main power back on. This causes a short circuit and opens the left CONTROL PANEL. Turn the main SWITCH off again.

Inside the opened panel, set the left SWITCH (lever) up and the right SWITCH down. Now flip the main power SWITCH back on.

Return to the Main Elevator, use your ID CARD, and head down to the mid-level. Be sure to wait for Joey, or he’ll get left behind!

::MAP:: MIDDLE LEVEL

Welcome to the mid-level! Behind is a walkway that connect both ends of this level, making it a huge roundabout.

Let's begin by picking up the red CABLE that Joey cut earlier.

Apartments / Plaza

Enter the Apartment complex. Use your ID CARD on the PANEL next to the left DOOR to access Reich’s apartment. (You can’t get into Lamb’s room just yet.)

Flip the PILLOW and grab the MAGAZINE hidden underneath. Outside in the garden, there's a character named Gallagher, a real '@#&%0!&'. Still, no harm in having a quick chat.

Next, head to the Plaza and enter the travel agency (TravelCo). Talk to Trevor and book the Economy Tour. Hand over the MAGAZINE you picked up earlier. Then collect your TICKET from the desk. While you’re here, give the GLOBE a spin just for fun.

Now it’s time to pass the TICKET to the supervisor, Gilbert Lamb, in exchange for a tour of the factory. He’s usually roaming somewhere between the upper and middle levels. His apartment is right next to Reich’s but keep an eye out, as he occasionally goes in and out.

Pipe Factory

Hit F5 and save your game progress

Head back to the Pipe Factory and speak to Gilbert Lamb about taking the tour when you spot him. As a guest, you now have access to the rightmost area of the factory.

Talk to Anita about the JAMMER. Hand over your ID CARD to her and learn about the Schriebmann Port—an implant required to access LINC-Space (think The Matrix, but pixelated).

Use any LINC TERMINAL with your ID CARD, and navigate as follows:
Security Services > Special Operations > File Adjustment > Select Options 1 & 2

Before moving on, check back with Gilbert Lamb and see if he needs a favour.
🛈 Note: You can only trigger this dialogue if he’s standing in front of the lift on the upper level.
(Credit to Thorn)

Apartments / Burke's Bio / Anchor Insurance

Once you’re done talking to Lamb, return to the Apartments near Reich’s room. You can now enter Lamb’s apartment using the ID CARD.

Inside, pick up the VIDEO CASSETTE (you can play it on the VCR), use the FOOD DISPENSER, and feed the cat. Don’t forget to collect the VIDEO CASSETTE again before leaving.

Next, head to Burke’s Bio Surgery and interact with the virtual assistant projector. Have Joey speak with the assistant too. Enter Dr. Burke’s office and chat with him about selling your kidneys, lung, and testicles (yes, really). Eventually, you'll receive a Schriebmann Port... (some real Black Mirror energy.)

Before you leave, ask Dr. Burke about how to reach ground level. He’ll point you toward an insurance agency.

Make your way to Anchor Insurance at the Plaza and wait for Joey to catch up. Speak to the MAN at the desk named Willy (a.k.a. Billy Anchor) and ask about "special policies." Willy will head into the back to make a call.

While he’s gone, have Joey use his welder on the STATUE, then grab the ANCHOR.

Recycling Plant

Take the Main Elevator to the upper level and return to the Recycling Plant. Head upstairs and go outside through the fire exit, the same one you used at the beginning of the game.

Combine the ANCHOR with the red CABLE to create a GRAPPLING HOOK
(queue '60s Batman™[www.dccomics.com] intro music 🎵).

See the large SIGN on the wall across from where you're standing? Use the GRAPPLING HOOK on the SIGN to move forward.

Interface Room @ Securities HQ

After a short cutscene, you’ll find yourself in the locker room of the Securities HQ building.

Head into the Interface Room.

Use your ID CARD on the SLOT next to the INTERFACE, then access the INTERFACE itself to jack into The Matrix™[www.warnerbros.com]... or rather, LINC-Space.

>>LINC-Space<<

Welcome to LINC-Space. Your inventory now contains commands/data instead of physical objects.

Pick up the BALL (Compressed Data). Exit right by clicking the purple plasma beam to enter the next space.

Use the ‘Open’ command from your inventory on the CARPET BAG to obtain the MAGNIFYING GLASS (Decrypt) and BIRTHDAY SURPRISE (Decompress).
Use Decompress on the 'Compressed Data' to receive the Green & Red Passwords.
Then, use Decrypt on the two unknown ? 'Documents' in your inventory. This will unlock previously encrypted files back on the LINC Terminal.

The plasma beam in the center is still inaccessible, so exit through the thin plasma beam on the right.

You’ll now be in a room with floor panels marked by red and green symbols. Place the Red Password on the tile you’re standing on, this will form a bridge. Head north first.

Keep alternating between placing the Green and Red Passwords as you move, picking them up and reusing them to cross the tiles. Your goal is to reach the thick plasma beam exit on the right. It’s a straightforward path. Once you’re through, you won’t need the passwords anymore so feel free to leave them behind.

In the next space, collect the BUST (Phoenix) and the BOOK (?Document). Use Decrypt on the third 'Document', then use Disconnect to exit LINC-Space.

Interface Room @ Securities HQ

You’re now back in the Interface Room at Security HQ. There’s a LINC TERMINAL nearby access it using your ID CARD.

Head to:
Security Services > View Documents
And read the following files to uncover the truth:

- Breifing.doc
- Report.doc
- Phoenix.doc

Once you’ve read them all, you’ll have clearance to exit the Interface Room.

Use Reich’s ID CARD on the exit SLOT.

Remember the old bloke at the Power Plant? There’ll be a short cutscene showing him talking with Norville and Sam at the front desk. Feel free to chat with them if you’d like.

Now, take the Main Elevator back down to the middle level. You’ll now have full access to the Mid Elevator, which means... it’s time you (and Joey) can finally head to the ground level!

::MAP:: GROUND LEVEL

**The lower half of both the east and west ends of the lower ground exits to an old shack, south of the swimming pool.

Ground Level

Congrats! You've made it to the ground level.
You’ll automatically retrieve Joey’s CIRCUIT BOARD.

Exit left and speak to the Doorman at the St. James Club. Then look for Mrs. Piermont walking around with her dog, Spunky. Talk to her about Overmann and ask about sponsoring a club membership.

Before heading to her apartment, exit south of the swimming pool to reach the Old Shack. Inspect the DOOR to reveal a conventional LOCK. Use the old "slide-a-card" trick with your ID CARD on the LOCK to get inside. Grab the SECATEURS.

Next, go east of the pool to Mrs. Piermont’s Apartment. Press the BUTTON beside the Apartment ELEVATOR to reach her via intercom.

Inside, speak with Mrs. Piermont, especially about sponsoring your club membership. While she calls the club owner, insert the VIDEO CASSETTE into the VCR to distract Spunky. This lets you check his bowl and grab the DOG BISCUITS.

Exit the Apartment and return to the central pool area. Talk to the GUARD (Blunt) at the Cathedral entrance. Place the DOG BISCUITS on the PLANK. When Mrs. Piermont arrives, Spunky will bark at the PLANK.

Use the ROPE to lower the PLANK, sending Spunky flying into the pool, distracting Officer Blunt and letting you slip into the Cathedral.

Inside, choose the left exit to go downstairs. Check all the LOCKERS, especially the middle one.

Once finished, make your way back to the Pipe Factory.

Pipe Factory

Hit F5 and save your game progress

On your way back up to the Pipe Factory, talk to Gilbert Lamb about Anita.

Inside the Pipe Factory locker area, open the middle LOCKER (it was empty earlier) and pick up the OVERALLS.

Continue right to the REACTOR room. Use the COMPUTER to open the reactor door, then enter the REACTOR itself and pick up the second LINC CARD from the floor.

Head back to the lockers and change back into your iconic COAT—gotta stay stylish.

Now, let’s head to the Interface Room at Securities HQ. Insert the new LINC CARD into the SLOT and enter LINC-Space once again.

>>LINC-Space<<

Welcome back to LINC-Space!
Check your inventory and you’ll now have two new commands:
'Blind' and 'Playback'

Use 'Blind' on the first EYEBALL. The goal is to grab the TUNING FORK (Oscillator) before the EYEBALL reactivates in about 15–20 seconds.

Head to the next space and repeat with the second EYEBALL. This one reactivates much faster, like only a few seconds. So move quickly and exit through the thick plasma beam beside it.

From there, exit north (before reaching the CRUSADER), then exit right. Quickly grab the TUNING FORK before the first eyeball reactivates!

Return to the previous space and use Playback on the WELL in the center.

Once done, Disconnect from LINC-Space.
Back in the real world, return to the ground level and have a chat with the Gardener (Eduardo).

Ground Level / Court / St. James

Speak to the Gardener, then talk to the boy on the bench (Vincent), especially about the blue dandelions. After that, speak to the Gardener again about Anita, and he’ll eventually reveal himself as Eduardo. You may need to interact with him a couple of times to trigger a reveal.

Now, head over to the Courtroom and play attorney for a few minutes. Once the court drama is over, go to the St. James Club and chat with the Doorman to gain entry.

Inside, use the JUKEBOX and select the first song. This prompts the club owner, Colston, to get up and change the track. While he’s distracted, flick his GLASS to steal it because those lovely fingerprints will come in handy.

Next, head to Burke’s Bio Surgery and hand the GLASS over to Dr. Burke. He’ll take care of the biometric stuff.

Return to the St. James Club and press your thumb onto the METAL PLATE beside the secured DOOR.

Congrats! You now have biometric access to the wine cellar.

Inside, spot the small BOX on the floor and try standing on it.
Now use your METAL BAR (crowbar) on the top of the PACKING CASE to pry off a WOODEN LID.
Place the WOODEN LID on the broken BOX, climb up, and use the METAL BAR on the GRILL.
Finish the job by using the SECATEURS on the GRILL.

Enter the passage.

Subway

Hit F5 and save your game progress

Once you're inside the Subway System, exit right three times.
(Trust me—it doesn’t matter which way you go.)

Insert the LIGHT BULB into the small SOCKET near the large hole in the wall unless you want to get gobbled up by something lurking in the dark.

Keep moving right two more times and quickly take the lower exit before the tunnel collapses behind you.

In this new area, inspect the wall. Use the METAL BAR on the PLASTER, then again on the BRICKWORK underneath. Pick up the loose BRICK.

Next, use the METAL BAR on the pulsing SWELLING (vein). When it’s lodged in place, smack it with the BRICK, then quickly grab the METAL BAR back before it’s sealed shut again.

If done correctly, a ROBOT will show up through the DOOR to repair the rupture this is your chance to slip through that door. Missed your shot? Just repeat the process!

The Basement

Head down the first stairway exit into the Boiler Room.

Spot the METAL BAR (a handle) hanging above the lava pit, right next to a ceiling GRILL. Use the CONTROL UNIT nearby and select Option 2 to lower the temperature. This causes the lava pit’s cover to contract for a few seconds.

Act fast and pull the METAL BAR before the cover expands again.
This action loosens the ceiling GRILL.

Exit the Boiler Room, then look through the wall GRILL before exiting right twice.

Hit F5 and save your game progress, or else...

Now, enter the Central Room with a ROBOT stationed in the middle.
🛈 Don’t rush into the Tank Room (top left exit) just yet and save your game first.

Use Joey’s CIRCUIT BOARD on the ROBOT's SLOT to bring him back online.

Ask Joey to scout the Tank Room and report back. Then, speak to him again and discuss the "Nutrient Tanks" to order him to untap them.

With the tanks safely deactivated, you can now enter the Tank Room.

In the next area (upper right corner of the Tank Room), you’ll find two exits:
- The top exit leads to the Control Room
- The bottom one leads to the Restricted Area

Enter the Control Room first. Use your ID CARD with the left TERMINAL to unlock access to the Restricted Area.
(Credits to Thorn for the tip!)

After the cutscene, retrieve Joey’s CIRCUIT BOARD.

Pick up the red LINC CARD from the CORPSE and re-enter the Control Room.
Use this new LINC CARD with the TERMINAL beside the right-side INTERFACE.

Time to dive into LINC-Space one last time...

>>LINC-Space<<

You're in!!
Welcome back to LINC-Space.

Your inventory now includes a powerful new command: 'Divine Wrath'

Exit right and use the Blind command on the EYEBALL, then immediately exit north.

Now, unleash 'Divine Wrath' on the CRUSADER.
This clears the path but we’re not done yet.

Disconnect, then re-enter LINC-Space using Anita’s LINC CARD.

Return to the area where the CRUSADER once stood (now gone) and exit right.
Use the Oscillator command on the CRYSTAL and pick up the DNA/HELIX. Congrats! You’ve successfully infected Anita’s LINC CARD with a virus.


Now, Disconnect from LINC-Space.

Ending

Hit F5 and save your game progress

Exit to the Restricted Area, where you’ll see two HUGE TANKS,
the Culture Tank and the Nitrogen Tank.
🛈 Feel free to explore a bit before continuing because it’ll help make sense of what’s next.

Use Anita’s LINC CARD on the CONSOLE to infect the system with the virus.

Pick up the TONGS next to the CULTURE TANK. Use them to grab an infected tissue sample from inside.

Immediately dip the sample into the NITROGEN TANK.
Any delay will ruin it, and you'll have to repeat the process.

Exit right to the Android Room. Open the CABINET below the center CONSOLE and insert Joey’s CIRCUIT BOARD into the SLOT.

Use the CONSOLE to download Joey’s AI into the ANDROID and initiate the transfer.

Exit right and coordinate with Ken:
Ask him to activate the bottom hand sensor, while you hit the top sensor at the same time.

Exit right twice.

Mount the red CABLE onto the PIPE SUPPORT.
Climb down the RUNG (ladder) and use the TONGS with the ORIFICE.

Hit F5 and save your game progress
Reminder: the specimen must be virus-infected!

When you're ready, use the CABLE to swing through the opening.

[Cutscene Incoming]
During a brief moment in the cutscene, command Ken to SIT DOWN in the chair.

Then sit back and enjoy the final sequence.
BE VIGILANT.

---------------------------------------------------------------



This ain’t a Marvel movie, so don’t expect any after-credits twists.
The credits loop forever, so when you're ready: Alt+F4 and walk into the sunset like a cyberpunk legend.

Outro

Congratulations on completing the game! Do share, drop comments and 💗 this guide if you've found it helpful. It would really encourage me to do more guides in the future!! Well, hope you had fun.


Sincerely,

Now let's take BASS to the next level!!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1146310/Beyond_a_Steel_Sky/?curator_clanid=37089668
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2220105971

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3435488298

[doadea]

Thank you for the walkthrough!

[Beefy]

A really useful and easy to follow guide, thank you.

[jglenn1562]

Thank you for the guide, it is almost necessary when I found myself missing those few pixels of an item that I missed!

[scarfacecro]

Thanks for the walkthrough

[adorableWeaver]

I like 90s quests, but got I'm bad at them. Thanks for writing this one!

[Crys]

Ah, I don't know how it didn't cross my mind to ask Hobbins about the transporter. Thank you all very much for the help!

[Skapelboi]

Try engaging with the TRANSPORTER and ask Joey to start it. Enter the room on the right to meet Hobbins. Talk to him about the TRANSPORTER. Re-enter the junk room to converse with Joey and ask Joey again about starting the TRANSPORTER.

[The little Potato]

You need to talk to Joey and he'll jump start it. Took me a while because it's the same dialogue than before but now it does something.

[Crys]

I... can't seem to trigger the part where the transporter starts loading barrels onto the elevator? I've bugged Joey up to the point where he asks me if I've found what's wrong with it. I can't seem to find anything wrong, and I've already stole the wrench and the sandwich. Can't wrench the 'droid, can't sandwich it, can't do nothing with it.

[Axl Dread]

Anyway, I bought BASS 2 shortly ago.
And I wanted to make its elder brother before starting to discover it.

But if I ordinary try to beat such games without any help or the less possible,
I have to admit I was excited with just the idea to launch BASS 2
so I couldn't resist very long before begining to search until finding your guide above.

And it was a great help. Thanks again!

Now for Beyond a Steel Sky, I'll try my best to beat it without any help.
So I won't check your guide for this one or only if I get stuck.
For an entire session at least.

Now a last thank for your job and the sharing. Stay vigilant! Ciao!
+1 Treasure Steam Award for you!