Chernobylite is an intriguing science fiction survival video game crafted by The Farm 51 and brought to life by All in! Games. Chernobylite made its debut on July 28, 2021, exclusively on Microsoft Windows. It later extended its reach to additional platforms, hitting PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on September 28, 2021. The game's presence expanded even further with its release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on April 21, 2022.
As you step into Igor's shoes, the core gameplay centers on exploring this hazardous territory. Your mission includes scavenging for essential supplies and useful tools while encountering both fellow "Stalkers" and adversarial military personnel. This single-player journey comes with a dynamic storyline influenced by the choices you make, adding a nonlinear aspect to the game.
Crafting plays a significant role, granting you the ability to forge your own gear and weaponry. The stakes are high, as any character can meet their demise, and tasks can end in failure. Furthermore, the environment isn't just riddled with tangible dangers; supernatural threats loom, stemming from the mysterious "chernobylite" substance created by the nuclear aftermath.
Prepare to immerse yourself in a world of survival, choices, and unknown terrors as you navigate the intricacies of Chernobylite.
Synopsis
Setting and characters
The backdrop of the game unfolds in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, three decades after the catastrophic Chernobyl incident. In the aftermath of the disaster, an enigmatic substance known as "Chernobylite" began manifesting within the Zone's confines. This unique material captures the attention of the military entity NAR, which seizes control of the entire Zone with intentions to conduct experiments. Spearheaded by Chernobylite expert Dr. Semonov, NAR seeks to harness the potential applications of Chernobylite.
However, the presence of Chernobylite brings forth otherworldly entities called Shadows, hostile beings from another dimension with a hostile disposition towards humanity. To safeguard their interests, NAR recruits the enigmatic and dangerous Black Stalker, as well as former Soviet General Kozlov, to eliminate any intruders into the Zone through whatever means necessary.
As Igor delves deeper into the Zone's secrets, he must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with uncertainty, danger, and a conspiracy that transcends the bounds of the physical world.
Plot
After receiving a haunting image of his missing wife, Tatyana, and experiencing unsettling dreams of her, Igor makes a resolute decision to venture into the ominous Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Both Igor and Tatyana had once worked at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, and her inexplicable disappearance just prior to the catastrophic disaster continues to perplex him. Armed with a deep sense of determination, Igor covertly infiltrates the power plant, his former workplace, in search of answers.
Within the plant's confines, Igor stumbles upon a valuable Chernobylite crystal, which he ingeniously utilizes to power a unique portal gun of his own invention. However, his plans take a sudden turn when he comes face to face with the enigmatic Black Stalker, an antagonist who forces him to flee before he can reunite with Tatyana.
Recognizing the need for a more strategic approach, Igor acknowledges the importance of allies, resources, and a well-conceived plan to bypass the formidable defenses of the NAR around the power plant. As he navigates through the Zone, Igor has the opportunity to form alliances with individuals such as Olivier, Olga, Tarakhan, Sashko, and Mikhail. Simultaneously, he must grapple with decisions involving Dr. Semonov and General Kozlov, including negotiation or confrontation.
Throughout his journey, Igor unravels the expanding influence of Chernobylite, which brings forth more menacing Shadows into the Zone. Furthermore, he discovers a unique connection to Tatyana and Chernobylite, granting him the ability to alter his fate by revisiting the past upon death.
The ultimate truth gradually emerges—Tatyana's abduction by the KGB, betrayed by a close friend named Boris, who was driven by envy over Igor and Tatyana's relationship. Both Tatyana and Boris become subjects of Chernobylite experiments, with the latter evolving into the formidable Black Stalker. Igor learns that Chernobylite is more than a substance; it's a sentient being with its own consciousness.
As Igor prepares for a climactic confrontation, he and his allies breach the power plant once again. Venturing further within, Igor confronts the enigmatic Black Stalker, only to be confronted with a startling revelation—the Black Stalker is not Boris, but in fact the original Igor, who had eliminated Boris and taken on his identity. Igor himself is a clone of the true Igor, designed by Chernobylite. A complex and emotional confrontation ensues, leading Igor to a crucial decision.
In a final showdown, Igor triumphs over the Black Stalker. Yet, a pivotal choice remains—will Igor choose to close the portal and save Tatyana, or will he engage with the Chernobylite in a manner that shapes the destiny of both humanity and the enigmatic substance itself?
With the fate of Tatyana and the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone hanging in the balance, Igor must make a profound choice that will shape the course of events, challenging the boundaries between humanity, science, and the mysterious forces at play within the Zone.
Development
Chernobylite was brought to life by The Farm 51, with a unique approach to creating its game world. The team utilized advanced technology, including 3D scans and meticulous recreations of the actual Chernobyl Exclusion Zone in Ukraine, to craft the game's map and environment.
To support the ongoing development of the game, The Farm 51 initiated a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. This campaign aimed to secure additional funds that would be crucial for completing the intricate 3D scanning process required to accurately replicate the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone within the game. The campaign garnered significant support from backers who shared the team's vision.
The Kickstarter campaign concluded on May 11, 2019, having surpassed its initial funding goal of $100,000. The response was resounding, as a total of $206,671 was raised from 3,350 backers who believed in the project's potential. This financial support provided The Farm 51 with the means to further advance the development of Chernobylite.
Subsequently, the game made its initial entry into the gaming community through the Steam and GOG.com early access programs on October 19, 2019. After undergoing iterative refinement and incorporating player feedback, Chernobylite reached its full release on July 28, 2021, offering its immersive experience to players on the Microsoft Windows platform.
Reception
Chernobylite, developed by The Farm 51, garnered a range of reviews from critics across various platforms, as indicated by its aggregated scores on Metacritic. The game's reception was generally favorable for most platforms, with the PC version attaining a score of 75/100, while the PlayStation 4 version received a more mixed response with a score of 60/100. On the other hand, the Xbox Series X/S version fared well with a score of 82/100, while the PlayStation 5 version achieved a respectable score of 78/100. The Xbox Series X/S version earned a score of 71/100, rounding out the spectrum of scores across different platforms.
Individual reviews from various publications further shed light on Chernobylite's critical reception. Eurogamer offered a recommendation for the game, while GameStar awarded it a score of 80/100. Hardcore Gamer rated it with 4 out of 5 stars, and HobbyConsolas provided a score of 82/100. Jeuxvideo.com's review reflected a rating of 14/20, and MeriStation awarded it a score of 7.8/10. PC Gamer (US) assessed the game with a score of 78/100, while PC Games (DE) gave it a rating of 6/10. Push Square and RPGamer offered their perspectives without specific scores. RPGFan, however, was favorable in its review with a score of 88/100, and The Games Machine (Italy) rated the game at 7.8/10.
Chernobylite's critical reception thus encompassed a range of viewpoints, with some publications recommending the game and highlighting its strengths, while others offered more nuanced evaluations, resulting in a diverse landscape of reviews across the gaming community.
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