Joining the surprisingly robust genre of sci-fi survival games about the Chernobyl exclusion zone, Chernobylite 2 takes the warped-landscape scrounging of the original and supersizes it, putting the player in the role of a mercenary working for an interdimensional colonial exploitation project.
HIGH Goodbye “Quests”, hello “Leads”!
LOW Shallow gameplay mechanics.
WTF They “say less is more” but isn’t it too little!?
HIGH A gripping, expertly-framed first-person sci-fi adventure.
LOW Polish issues and rough edges in the climax and finale make for an awkward landing.
WTF How did this story come out in 1964 and manage to still feel as timely as it does?
HIGH Wonderfully rich cultural content rarely seen in games.
LOW Some of the puzzle battles are incredibly tricky.
WTF That’s how you become immortal??
HIGH The writing.
LOW The learning curve.
WTF Nothing like a cheery Bolshevik.
HIGH The epic torture techniques.
LOW My save file getting corrupted.
WTF A cutting sound effect kicks in when choosing to mutilate a criminal.