Iron Helix - Complete Walkthrough Guide

The Down and Dirty Quick Start

To play Iron Helix immediately, here's all you need to know:

Objective

Your mission is to board the renegade ship Obrian with your probe and gain security access to the rooms and computers. You must search the ship for ways to prevent it from deploying its weapons against a peaceful planet. The ship has a backup security device that aggressively pursues and destroys intruders. It is a robotic Defender which is heavily armed and capable of performing all ship functions in order to carry out the orders administers by the ship's computer. You must avoid this Defender and will have to get rid of it in order to win.

Using the Interface

After you boot up you'll go through the introduction. Then you'll be given your Probe Control Interface. This interface is the main control and navigation panel for Iron Helix. Here's how to use it:

D-Pad

Movement

• UP moves probe forward
• DOWN moves probe backward
• LEFT turns probe to the left
• RIGHT turns probe to the right
• UP TWO TIMES moves probe up a ladder chute
• DOWN TWO TIMES moves probe down a ladder chute
• Hold down any direction for continuous motion

Other

• LEFT and RIGHT change levels in the elevator
• UP and DOWN move through options in the probe's computer

START Button

• Accesses the probe's on-board computer

Button A

• Activates the probe's robotic arm {to collect DNA and connect with data ports}
• Accepts selection in the ship's computer
• Locks on DNA samples

Button B

• Turns on the probe's electronic jamming device (for use when the Defender is too close)

Button C

• Toggles between the three map displays: probe location, Defender location and orthographic (side) view
• Cancels selection in the ship's computer

NOTE: If you have a 6 Button Arcade Pad, the X, Y, and Z Buttons function for the probe location, Defender location and orthographic map views respectively.

The Four Phases of Play — How to Win

1. The first phase requires you to find three high-ranking DNA keys (left by the ship's crew) which will allow you to open all doors and access all computers.

2. The second phase requires you to uncover methods of stopping the ship by acquiring the computer bypass codes which will enable you to win. These can be found in video messages left by the crew in their last desperate hours before being killed.

3. The third phase requires you to somehow get rid of the Defender robot. It must be eliminated before you initiate any of the bypass codes or else he will override them. The clues that will help you eliminate the Defender robot are in the video messages.

4. The fourth and final phase is the execution of the winning code to stop the ship. After you get rid of the Defender robot, you will have about five minutes before the ship launches another one, so you'll have to act fast. If you fail to execute the win scenario in time, you'll be demoted back to the third phase. You will then have a second chance to get rid of the Defender and initiate a win scenario. (If you fail to initiate a win on your second try, the weapons will launch and the game will be over.) But if you successfully initiate a win scenario, you will stop the ship from reaching Calliopé and will have saved the universe.

So to simplify that, your main objectives are:

1. Collect DNA samples from deceased crew members to access restricted areas
2. Find both video message clues to learn how to destroy the security robot and ship
3. Destroy the Defender robot using the clue and code
4. Destroy the Ship using the clue and code

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Other Important Things to Note:

• You have 3 probes (lives) to complete the mission
• When doors open you don't pass through them until you press the direction again. This can be easy to forget so always remember to press the direction again after opening a door.
• Use ladder chutes to move undetected between floors. But be careful! The Defender moves quickly in ladder chutes, but does not use elevators.
• When you're at the bottom of the Main Engineering hatch, you are completely safe from the Defender
• Use your map often in order to keep track of the Defender
• When removing DNA from you bank make sure not to press A twice as there is no confirm dialogue.
• If you don't like the breathing like motion in the game (camera moves up and down slightly) go into the menu, system, and turn Stabalizer ON
• DO NOT USE FAST FORWARD!!! - Even though movement can be slow and clunky, using fast forward can get you in trouble even on beginner difficulty

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Map

 

Beginner Difficulty

Phase 1: DNA Collection

1. Collect Semenovsky DNA - Go to the end of the hall facing the Cryo room, turn around and get Semenovsky, T. (Sec.) DNA
2. Move to Deck 2 - Take elevator down
3. Collect Ingram DNA - Go to Crew Quarters (northwest room) and get Ingram, C. (Lt. Cmmdr) DNA
4. Collect Geist DNA - Go to Aux. Engineering and get Geist, J. (Eng) DNA
5. DNA Bank Management - Press Start and delete Semenovsky DNA from your bank
6. Move to Deck 1 - Take elevator up
7. Collect Parrish DNA - Go to Captain's Quarters (next to 1st Officer room) and get Parrish, W. (Cmmdr) DNA

✅ ALL DNA COLLECTED

Phase 2: Intelligence Gathering

8. First Defender Clue - Stay on Deck 1, go to the far end of the Command Bridge
   • Use access panel to get first defender elimination clue
   • Code revealed: 8675
9. Access Deck 2 - Use the nearby access ladder to get to Deck 2
10. Second Defender Clue - Go to Aux. Engineering
    • Use access panel to get second defender elimination clue
    • Code revealed: 9999
11. Ship Destruction Clue - Take elevator to Deck 5, go to Main Engineering
    • Use access panel to get ship destroy clue
    • Code revealed: 2382

✅ ALL CLUES COLLECTED

Phase 3: Defender Elimination

12. Return to Command Bridge - Take elevator to Deck 1, go to Command Bridge
13. Activate Internal Defense - Use access panel:
    • Select: Command → Security → INTERNAL DEFENSE
    • Input code: 8675
    • Press Enter

✅ DEFENDER DESTROYED

Phase 4: Ship Shutdown

14. Move to Weapon Control - Take elevator to Deck 5, go to Weapon Control
15. Designate Target - Use access panel:
    • Select: Command → Weapon Ctrl → DESIGNATE TARGET
    • Input code: 2382
    • Press Enter

🎉 YOU WIN!

Key Codes

• First Defender Elimination Code: 8675
• Second Defender Elimination Code: 9999 (collected but not used)
• Ship Destruction Code: 2382

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Intermediate Difficulty

Phase 1: Initial DNA Collection

1. Move to Deck 2 - Take elevator down
2. Collect Zyzineki DNA - Go to Dining Lounge (northwest room) and get Zyzineki, C. (Ast. Engr) DNA
3. Move to Deck 5 - Take elevator up
4. Access Lower Level - Use the northeast hatch in Main Engineering
5. Collect Semenovsky DNA - Go to the bottom and get Semenovsky, T. (Sec.) DNA

Phase 2: DNA Management & Additional Collection

6. Return to Deck 2 - Take elevator down
7. Collect Benedetti DNA - Go to Science Lab, check east wall for Benedetti, R. (Weap.) DNA
8. DNA Bank Management - Press Start and delete Zyzineki DNA from your bank
9. Storage Room Collection - Go to northeast room (Storage Room)
10. Collect Parrish DNA - Go to southeast corner and get Parrish, W. (Cmmdr) DNA
11. DNA Bank Management - Press Start and delete Semenovsky DNA from your bank
12. Final DNA Collection - Take elevator to Deck 5, go to northwest part of Weapon Control and get Ingram, C. (Lt. Cmmdr) DNA

✅ ALL DNA ACQUIRED

Phase 3: Intelligence Gathering

13. Get Defender Clue - Take elevator to Deck 2, go to Crew Quarters
    • Use access panel in northwest corner to get defender elimination clue
    • Code revealed: 0142
14. Get Ship Destruction Clue - Take elevator to Deck 5, use northeast hatch in Main Engineering
    • Use access panel at the bottom to get ship destroy clue
    • Code revealed: 4455

✅ ALL CLUES COLLECTED

Phase 4: Defender Elimination

15. Access Loading Dock Control - Take the hatch in Main Engineering to reach incinerator on Deck 6
16. Go to Control Room - Navigate to northwest corner
17. Prepare Cargo Ejection - Use access panel:
    • Select: Local Access → Loading Dock → CARGO EJECT
    • Input code: 0142
    • IMPORTANT: Don't press Enter yet!
18. Execute Elimination - Wait until the Defender appears in the loading dock on your map, then press Enter

✅ DEFENDER DESTROYED

Phase 5: Ship Shutdown

19. Return to Main Engineering - Go to incinerator and climb up hatch to enter Main Engineering
20. Reactor Shutdown - Use access panel in northeast corner of the room
    • Select: Engineering → Warp Mod Envelope → SHUTDOWN
    • Input code: 4455
    • Press Enter

🎉 YOU WIN!

Key Codes

• Defender Elimination (Loading Dock): 0142
• Reactor Shutdown (Warp Mod): 4455

Notes

• Safe Zone: At noted earlier in the guide, when you're at the bottom of the Main Engineering hatch, you are completely safe from the Defender. If the Defender is on Deck 5 while you're in the safe zone, wait for it to leave the floor before exiting the hatch
• Use the map to track the Defender's location before triggering the cargo ejection

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Advanced Difficulty

Phase 1: DNA Collection

1. Collect Geist DNA - Turn right in the starting Deck 4 Corridor to collect Geist, J. (Eng) DNA
2. Access Upper Decks - Find the ladder at the top-left of Deck 4 (tap repeatedly in your desired direction to climb)
3. Collect Semenovsky DNA - Go up two levels from the ladder. Collect Semenovsky, T. (Sec.) DNA
4. Collect Benedetti DNA - Go up one more level, exit the ladder chute and enter 1st Officer's quarters. Get Benedetti, R. (Weap.) DNA
5. Return to Deck 4 - Take the elevator back down

Phase 2: DNA Management & Additional Collection

6. Cryo Lab Setup - Enter the Cryo Lab on Deck 4
7. DNA Bank Management - Press Start and delete Geist DNA from your bank
8. Collect Ingram DNA - While still in Cryo Lab collect Ingram, C. (Lt. Cmmdr) DNA
9. Move to Deck 5 - Leave Cryo Lab and take elevator up
10. DNA Bank Management - Press Start and delete Semenovsky DNA from your bank while you're in the elevator
11. Collect Parrish DNA - Go to Weapon Control room and as soon as you enter collect Parrish, W. (Cmmdr) DNA

✅ ALL DNA ACQUIRED

Phase 3: Gathering Intelligence

12. Access Deck 2 - Take elevator down
13. Get Defender Clue - Use the access panel in the Storage Room (northeast corner) to obtain the Defender elimination clue
14. Return to Deck 5 - Take elevator back up
15. Get Ship Destruction Clue - In the hallway opposite the elevator, use the access panel to get the ship destroy clue

✅ ALL CLUES COLLECTED

Phase 4: Defender Elimination

16. Access Incinerator - Use the access hatch at the bottom of Main Engineering (Deck 5) to reach the garbage room
17. Eliminate Defender - Exit the garbage room, then immediately turn around and use the access panel
    • Select: Local Access → Incinerator → INCINERATOR
    • Input code: 5218
    • IMPORTANT: Don't press Enter yet! Wait until you see the Defender enter the incinerator on your map, then hit Enter

✅ DEFENDER DESTROYED

Phase 5: Ship Shutdown

18. Return to Main Engineering - Take elevator to Deck 5 and enter Main Engineering quickly
19. Reactor Shutdown - Use the access panel in the top-right corner of the room
    • Select: Engineering → Reactor Control → SHUTDOWN
    • Input code: 6364
    • press Enter

🎉 YOU WIN!

Key Codes

• Incinerator: 5218
• Reactor Shutdown: 6364

Notes

• After getting the Benedetti DNA the Defender may already be on Deck 1. It's still possible to avoid it if you use a Jam (B Button) right when you open the door then rush to the elevator. Change floors as soon as you enter the elevator and you should be safe.
• Use the map to track the Defender's location before triggering the incinerator

Final Notes

I hope this guide helps you master this game! It can be frustrating at first, but once you know what you need to do, and where to find everything, it's actually quite fun.

I imagine this would have been a really enjoyable experience on Windows 3.1 back in the day. The Sega CD release is a pretty impressive port all things considered, but the movement and presentation leave a lot to be desired.