The protagonist of Beyond a Steel Sky is Robert Foster, who promised to return the kidnapped child. The trail of the target went deep into the desert nomads, and at the end led to Union-city, the only stronghold of the human world that remained intact during the long war. Union City is a real utopia where residents are happy and artificial intelligence is watching their safety. The hero will have to find out whether it is really so great in this city.
The surrounding world is made in the style of cyberpunk, and the user controls the character and explores locations using the "point and click" system. A dynamic plot constantly presents a randomly generated event. The main character is often met by people who want to ask questions or ask for help. Puzzles are to be solved at the levels, and each decision of the gamer has consequences. In dialogues, the selected replicas change the ending of the conversation.
Each minor character has its own tasks and goals. If Robert influences them, helps, or vice versa, does not allow them to achieve, then this will change the world around them. The protagonist will recruit assistants, partners, acquaintances or enemies. With the help of a hacking tool, Foster opens closed doors, obtains secret information, sneaks into forbidden territories and performs other missions. An antagonist is also present, whose identity is hidden for a long time. The hero will need to learn all about the control of society, keep track of some people and communicate with AI.