The 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident was a watershed moment in the history of nuclear power production, and the notorious Exclusion Zone is well known to people all over the world. According to some reports, the region will not be habitable for thousands of years, and the public’s inherent interest about the site has served as inspiration for games such as Escape From Chernobyl and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, as well as the new HBO mini-series Chernobyl. Chernobylite, a new game inspired by the iconic nuclear site, will be launched this summer.
The Farm 51 launched a Kickstarter campaign for Chernobylite in 2019 and met its target the same year. Soon after, the sci-fi survival horror experience was made available for pre-order on Steam and the digital download platform GOG. One of the most appealing aspects of Chernobylite is its game map, which is a 3D-scanned reconstruction of the real Exclusion Zone near Pripyat, Ukraine. Today, an official announcement trailer for the game’s July release was released, with the aim of introducing the game to new players who haven’t already experienced early access.
Chernobylite’s gameplay revolves around free discovery of the enigmatic Exclusion Zone and a non-linear plot that unfolds as players discover more about the region. In the survival horror title, players should anticipate a complex crafting system as they plan to confront supernatural attacks and even hostile military members in the Exclusion Zone. Players take care of Igor, a scientist who used to work at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant and lost a loved one in the tragedy. Igor returns to the Exclusion Zone 30 years later to look for her.
Although going it alone isn’t the only way to survive in Chernobylite. While the game, like The Long Dark, is a single-player survival experience, there are many allies to be found in the Exclusion Zone who can help with exploration. Olivier Hnatyshyn, a retired Canadian military officer whose unit was wiped out in a failed mission, is one of these allies. Allies will provide players with equipment and supplies to help them stay alive and find Igor’s lost love.
Chernobylite also has a variety of RPG elements for a variety of playstyles, and although the game does not always necessitate a lot of stealth, it is available for those who enjoy sneaking around. Another intriguing part of the gameplay is Igor’s ability to alter prior options using a special interface. However, experimenting with alternate realities is sure to attract scrutiny, and players must be prepared for the nightmares that can emerge if they want to screw with time. Finally, Chernobylite is a game that focuses extensively on player decisions and the effects of those choices on everyone’s life in the Exclusion Zone.
Chernobylite will be released in July 2021 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions on the way.
