Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores, but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, all whilst including some lengthy gameplay, to give you, the reader, the chance to form your own impressions and views while reading and watching.
In this explanatory review, we’re covering Chernobylite: Complete Edition by developer, The Farm 51:
Chernobylite: Complete Edition (Nintendo Switch)
Classed as being the worst nuclear disaster, the events and aftermath of Chernobyl are still felt today in 2024 and now, the Poland-based developer, The Farm 51 invites horror and RPG fans to explore the Exclusion Zone with Chernobylite: Complete Edition. Previously released in 2021, Chernobylite became something of a smash hit on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, and ever since then, The Farm 51 has continued to bring Chernobylite to other platforms and now, just in time for Christmas, Chernobylite: Complete Edition is set to radiate its presence on the Nintendo Switch system.
Built with Unreal Engine and described as being a first-person survival horror RPG, Chernobylite tells the story of Igor Khymynuk. Once he was a physicist who worked at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, but now, 30 years after the disaster, he is a man on a mission, hellbent on exploring Chernobyl’s Exclusion Zone for his MIA fiancée. But, his mission will not be an easy one for there are more dangers to the radioactive wasteland than just radiation. From military personnel to supernatural forces and strange creatures known as “Stalkers,” Igor and the player, have their work cut out for them should they wish to make it through to another day.
And just in case it wasn’t enough for The Farm 51 to develop a haunt us with monsters, Chernobylite takes things even further in terms of realism, thanks to the game’s level design being a 3D creation of the real-life setting. This came about due to the development team making frequent trips to Chernobyl between 2019 and 2020 for 3D scans of the Exclusion Zone and painstakingly recreating it digitally. Thankfully, Igor won’t be completely alone, as his first trip into the Exclusion Zone will see him paired with two mercenaries with other allies soon to follow as Chernobylite: Complete Edition allows players to make friends along the way, recruiting others to Igor’s cause as preparations are made for a special mission.
In terms of gameplay, while exploration is a big key factor and there is plenty to explore, the main components that make up Chernobylite: Complete Edition’s gameplay is crafting, base building, team management, combat, and key decision making. Being the non-linear survival game that it is, when not undertaking story missions and gathering resources, Igor is back at his base, where he can build utilities to better prepare him and his team for the dangers of the Exclusion Zone.
With workstations, gadgets can be crafted, armor and suits can be upgraded, traps can be manufactured and weapons, albeit ammo can be limited, weapons can be improved to better benefit Igor when the dangers come knocking. As for the relevance of Team Management, since Igor can rally others to his cause, players will need to make difficult decisions on how best to manage their team when it comes to who is best to be sent where on certain missions. What items will give them the edge? And, how best to feed your team when food is running out? Morale only lasts so long on an empty stomach and loyalty can diminish, but not everyone can be trusted.
Then there are the challenges of the Exclusion Zone itself. Igor can not fulfill his mission if he spends all day in the base, so once you’re done deciding who is going where, even Igor needs to head out into the dangers of the outside world and tackle each threat as they come. Stealth is good and stealth is your friend when it comes to sneaking up behind enemy soldiers, but you can’t always save your bullets for other dangers will compel you to open fire.
But, then again, there are other maps where playing it safe is your best bet and lots of loot can be scavenged, as long as you have crafted the means to acquire them. Doors don’t just open up on their own after all and at least Igor is a clever enough fellow to get things going, as long as he has the required resources in his inventory. Decisions, deccisions. There’s plenty to make and there are plenty of opportunities for things to go wrong.
As for what makes Chernobylite: Complete Edition the “Complete Edition,” this simply means that this version of Chernobylite comes with the complete base game, but also includes all the free content updates that were released for the game, adding in plenty more story missions, additional weaponry, new locations to explore, and different game modes. So, why settle for Chernobylite when you can have it all with Chernobylite: Complete Edition?
While Chernobylite: Complete Edition’s story can feel slow at first, there can be no denying the fact that it is an immersive experience filled with fiction and reality and makes for a nice Fallout alternative. The Farm 51 have worked their nuts off to bring this game to life and thanks to their hard efforts in making the game compatible with the Nintendo Switch, the final product is well worth the investment, especially when you have been itching for a Silent Hill-like experience on a Nintendo platform and have yet to find one.
Plus, with a sequel on the horizon in the form of Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone, what better time than now to discover the Chernobylite series by diving into Chernobylite: Complete Edition?
Game Specifications:
Developer: The Farm 51
Publisher: Untold Tales
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Action, Adventure, Role-playing
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: December 13, 2024
Price: $29.99
File Size: 12.8 GB
Nintendo.com Listing
