Chernobylite Reviews
There are rough edges but I expect all of them will be solved via patches. The Farm 51 has created an atmospheric and challenging game that mixes plenty of inspirations in a cool new way. More variety in terms of locations and more options for combat would have made Chernobylite an instant classic.
Chernobylite is a pass for The Farm 51, allowing the home team to enter the major leagues. The post-apocalyptic title taking us to the exclusion zone is unique and given the low price, it is the responsibility of every game fan to read Igor's story.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Have you ever played a game that has so many intriguing ideas that are begging to work but never quite reach that level? Chernobylite is that game for me. Never boring but never keeping me on the edge of my seat. Most of my investment here lies in the potential it shares. Donning your gear and risking your life for precious rarities may very well be worth it if you’re part of the hardcore survival fanbase and waiting on something new. If not, bunkering down and steering clear could undoubtedly do you good.
In case someone was disappointed by the lack of freedom in The Medium, let it be known that Chernobylite brings much more leeway in terms of gameplay, while offering equally pretty graphics and dark atmosphere. Until the second S.T.A.L.K.E.R. arrives, there is no better game for visiting Chernobyl.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Chernobylite's mixed collection of gameplay styles comes together beautifully. The narrative is engaging, the world is atmospheric, combat is solid , and the base building is decent. It may not be a STALKER game, and it's eclectic collection of elements are integrated with varying degrees of success, but Chernobylite offers a worthy replacement, full of its own charms and quirks that will allow it to stand on its own two feet.
Chernobylite is a title in some ways surprising: born from a small - but very talented - Independent Polish studio (those The Farm 51 already authors of Get Even) the work mixes in an inseparable whole different videogame genres. A horror / sci-fi narrative, not original but intriguing, role-playing elements, survival mechanics, a deep and layered crafting, a typical action of a first-person shooter and a micro management mechanic that perhaps invalidates a little too much the ambitious bet of the development team.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Chernobylite is special. If you enjoy RPGs that feature things like crafting, base building, team management, and heists, the ambitious Chernobylite is one that you won’t want to miss.
Chernobylite weaves together a strong narrative, compelling characters and highly detailed environments to deliver a glowing (pun intended) entry into the sci-fi survival horror RPG genre.
Chernobylite certainly has ambitions beyond being a rote shooter and although not everything meshes and the gears of its systems sometimes grind, the setting feels authentically haunted and foreboding. There’s a lot going on in Chernobylite, and sometimes the melancholic love story at the center gets buried under unnecessary game play complications, tepid combat or shifts of tone. In other words, it’s all still a bit messy but interesting and worth playing for shooter, RPG or horror fans, especially those fascinated by this particular moment in modern history.
As an RPG it’s a fairly light endeavor, but the workmanlike quality and some cool decisions will do enough to keep plenty interested throughout its whole runtime.
Chernobylite's divergent paths bolster its replayability but its inconsistencies in other areas drag down the experience.
Chernobylite is a solid game with a thoughtful story, enjoyable characters, memorable scares, and amazing design. You have freedom in the directions you want to go with crafting and leveling up, and the narrative choices you make feel meaningful. The game keeps you constantly engaged, as it always feels like there’s an important mission to complete or something to take care of around the base. The mystery is fascinating all the way to the end, and the main narrative doesn’t overstay its welcome, feeling spot on at a tight 20-ish hours.
The fact that so many different genres of games meshed into one magnificent masterpiece is something very impressive in itself. On top of that, the team used actual photogrammetry of Chernobyl to truly put you in the actual haunting environment of Chernobyl. Mix in some interesting game mechanics, a crazy cast of characters, and some of the best voice acting I've heard in a while. Finish it off with the fact that there are no bugs in my playthrough. I can't give Chernobylite enough credit for what they have accomplished.
The general spooky parts are similarly undercooked, with an unenthusiastic lineup of the ‘spooky things in first-person games checklist.’ Again, I have to say this was definitely an instance where a game could have been plenty unnerving without resorting to the supernatural. Still, if you’re going to do it anyway, there are more inventive and effective ways to go about it.
It gets a lot weirder from there.
Chernobylite is not gonna make up for the lack of the new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game in your life, but even so it's a good enough title to dive into before the release of the next GSC Game World project.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Chernobylite is nearly impossible to put in a specific genre and it feels generally unpolished, but the sheer amount of fun and excitement that it provides makes the game more than worth playing.
Chernobylite is an excellent narrative RPG that will totally please players in need of post-apocalyptic settings. It certainly isn't a revolution, as its combats and crafting systems feel very familiar, but it has a few mechanics that hit the mark and a great story with a powerful ending.
Review in French | Read full review
An ode to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. hobbled by poor AI, a rough early grind, and mediocre storytelling
Chernobylite is a complete game that comes in different aspects of gameplay and still offers good value for money. If the tactical part with management of the base and companions is pleasant, as is the infiltration, the fights are nevertheless somewhat behind, especially because of the very dark graphics making it difficult to locate the enemies. The latter are however well detailed and participate in the successful atmosphere of the app, enhanced by the soundtrack.
Review in French | Read full review