Chernobylite

The opinions of the critics regarding the Story of Chernobylite are generally positive. Many critics praise the game for its unique and interesting narrative set in the ruins of Pripyat, with the protagonist searching for his lost fiancée. AusGamers describes the story as memorable and ambitious, while GameCritics highlights the game's blend of history and science fiction. The Games Machine commends the non-linear narrative that allows players to make choices affecting the protagonist and other characters. Additionally, critics like GameStar and Screen Rant appreciate the dark and gripping nature of the story, with elements of mystery, supernatural threats, and sneaking past enemy soldiers. However, there are a few criticisms regarding the story of Chernobylite. PC Gamer points out that while the story is well-written with a melancholy atmosphere, the voice acting can sometimes be terrible. But Why Tho? mentions that the story lacks complexity without intricate side missions. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment towards the story remains positive. In conclusion, the critics generally have a positive opinion of the Story of Chernobylite. The game's unique and interesting narrative, set in the ruins of Pripyat and the Chernobyl area, is praised by multiple critics. The non-linear nature of the story, allowing players to make choices and affecting the balance between the protagonist and other characters, is also well-received. While some critics mention issues with voice acting and a lack of complexity without side missions, the overall consensus is that Chernobylite offers a compelling and engaging story with elements of mystery, horror, and survival.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Chernobylite are varied, but there are some common positive aspects that stand out. Many critics praise the game's survival and crafting mechanics, which are described as making sense and being straightforward (AusGamers). The gameplay loop of exploration, crafting, building, and combat is also highlighted as simple and well-worn (AusGamers). The blend of survival mechanics, base building, crafting, and resource management is seen as unique and engaging (GameGrin). The gameplay is often commended for its strategic planning at the base and missions in an open-world format (Ragequit.gr). The inclusion of choices and consequences is also mentioned positively (Gamepressure, TheGamer). However, there are some negative aspects of the gameplay that critics point out. Some critics feel that the combat mechanics are lacking, with limited options for engagement and a lack of diversity (GameCritics, PC Gamer). The stealth mechanics are described as basic (RPGamer) and the enemy AI is considered a mixed bag (Hardcore Gamer). The base-building system is criticized for lacking depth (NME), and some critics mention design quirks that hinder progression (The Indie Game Website). Additionally, the gameplay is described as inconsistent, with fantastic highs and frustrating lows (GameSkinny). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Chernobylite offers a unique blend of survival mechanics, base building, crafting, and resource management. The gameplay loop of exploration, crafting, building, and combat is generally seen as engaging and enjoyable. The inclusion of choices and consequences is appreciated, as it adds depth to the gameplay experience. However, there are some areas where the gameplay falls short, such as the combat mechanics being lacking and the base-building system lacking depth. Despite these shortcomings, the overall sentiment is that Chernobylite provides an interesting and immersive gameplay experience for players (Ragequit.gr, TheGamer, PlayStation LifeStyle).

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Chernobylite are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game's ability to recreate the haunting and eerie atmosphere of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. AusGamers commends the "gorgeously recreated" 3D-scanned wasteland, while Gamepressure mentions the "beautifully rendered locations" and "realistic landscapes scarred by radiation." The game's visual design is also highly praised, with Hardcore Gamer noting the "fantastic" lighting and changing environments, and The Indie Game Website mentioning the accurate recreations of Pripyat and the reactor. However, there are some criticisms regarding certain aspects of the game's visuals. COGconnected points out that while the environments and structures are authentically decrepit, the character models and animations are on the awkward side. Hooked Gamers mentions that some corners have been cut in development, such as characters always wearing gas masks. Softpedia also notes that the game has repetitive locations and some ugly textures. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Chernobylite are very good. The majority of the critics were impressed by the game's ability to visually capture the beauty and eerie atmosphere of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Critics like TheGamer and Windows Central highlight the game's immersive atmosphere and authentic recreation of the area. While there are some criticisms regarding character models, animations, and repetitive locations, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics praising the game's visuals and atmospheric zones.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Sound Design and Music of Chernobylite are varied, with both positive and negative aspects highlighted. Several critics praised the game's use of atmospheric sounds and eerie soundtrack to enhance the overall experience. AusGamers commended the use of actual recordings of evacuation orders and other atmospheric sounds, which added to the creepiness and immersion. Gamepressure also mentioned the eerie soundtrack and strong lighting effects that contributed to the atmosphere of dread and intrigue. Softpedia appreciated the well-chosen music that underlined the weirdness of the game's atmosphere. RPGamer specifically praised the somber tracks in the soundtrack and outstanding voice acting, especially in Russian. However, there were also criticisms regarding the voice acting in the game. AusGamers and Hardcore Gamer both mentioned issues with the English voices feeling "off" and inconsistent, with Hardcore Gamer noting that it didn't match the setting. PC Gamer and GameSpew also criticized the voice acting, with PC Gamer recommending the use of Russian audio with subtitles for a better experience. TheSixthAxis criticized the voice acting as overacted. GameCritics pointed out that some audio cues were not translated into subtitles, which could be problematic for deaf and hard of hearing gamers. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that while the sound design and music in Chernobylite have their strengths, such as the atmospheric sounds and eerie soundtrack, there are notable weaknesses in the voice acting, particularly in English. The recommendation to use the Russian audio with subtitles is mentioned by multiple critics, including PC Gamer and GameSpew, as it enhances the immersion and fits better with the game's setting. Despite the mixed opinions on the voice acting, the general sentiment is that the audio design successfully enhances the game's atmosphere and contributes to the overall experience.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Chernobylite are quite varied. Some critics, such as RPGamer and Windows Central, praise the voice acting, particularly in Russian, with RPGamer describing it as "outstanding" and Windows Central calling it "superb." These critics appreciate how the Russian voices add a layer of authenticity to the game's story. Additionally, GameSpew suggests playing with the default Russian voice acting and English subtitles for a more immersive experience, further emphasizing the strength of the Russian voice acting. On the other hand, there are critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting in Chernobylite. AusGamers finds the English voices to be "off," while Hardcore Gamer criticizes the inconsistency of the voice acting, stating that it doesn't match the setting. PC Gamer and Ragequit.gr also have negative views, with PC Gamer describing the voice acting as "sometimes terrible" and Ragequit.gr mentioning lower quality voiceovers. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the voice acting in Chernobylite is a mixed bag. While there are positive remarks about the Russian voice acting, the English voice acting receives more criticism. Critics like GameCritics appreciate the distinct characteristics of each team member's voice acting, but others, such as God is a Geek and TheSixthAxis, suggest playing with English subtitles and native voices to enhance the authenticity of the dialogue. The general sentiment seems to lean towards favoring the Russian voice acting and recommending English subtitles for a more immersive experience. However, it is important to note that there are differing opinions among the critics, with some finding the voice acting to be strong and others finding it inconsistent or subpar.

In terms of the Technical Performance for the PC platform, the majority of critics had positive opinions. COGconnected mentioned that while there were still bugs and AI issues, there were ways to optimize performance for an acceptable experience. Hardcore Gamer praised the game for running well on PC and being well optimized. NME also highlighted that the game runs smoothly even on older hardware. These reviews indicate that the PC version of Chernobylite generally delivers a solid technical performance, with smooth gameplay and the ability to run on a range of PC configurations. On the other hand, there were some negative aspects mentioned by critics regarding the PC version of Chernobylite. Ragequit.gr pointed out bugs and clunky gunplay as flaws in the game's technical performance. Windows Central highlighted performance issues such as choppy loading screens, occasional frame drops, and settings not always applying. Despite these drawbacks, Softpedia expects these issues to be resolved through future patches. While there are some technical hiccups, the overall sentiment suggests that the technical performance on PC is not game-breaking or overly problematic. Moving on to the PlayStation 5 platform, there were mixed opinions regarding the Technical Performance. But Why Tho? mentioned visual glitches and crashes that ruin the immersion, while GameSpew highlighted issues with NPCs failing to open doors and freezing during autosaves, as well as longer than expected loading times. However, GameSkinny reported a solid framerate with no perceivable frame dips, and PlayStation Universe praised the improved performance on the PS5 version, with rarely dropping frame rates and no save file corruption issues. Despite the mentioned technical issues, the overall sentiment suggests that the game runs smoothly on the PS5 platform. For the Xbox Series X platform, TheSixthAxis mentioned elements of input lag and a choice between performance and quality modes. However, TheXboxHub reported that the game runs smoothly with occasional stuttering in the main hub area, and the framerate holds up flawlessly even during intense moments. These reviews indicate that while there may be some minor technical issues on the Xbox Series X, the overall performance is satisfactory. In summary, the overall consensus among critics is that Chernobylite delivers a solid technical performance across all gaming platforms. While there are some reported bugs, glitches, and occasional performance hiccups, the game generally runs smoothly and offers an acceptable experience. The PC version is praised for its optimization and ability to run on older hardware, while the PS5 version is noted for its improved performance. The Xbox Series X version has some minor technical issues but remains enjoyable. Overall, the technical performance of Chernobylite is considered satisfactory, with the expectation that any existing issues will be addressed through future patches.

The opinions of the critics regarding the replay value of Chernobylite are generally positive. Many critics highlight the game's branching storylines and different playthroughs as key factors contributing to its replayability. AusGamers commends the ability to review and change past decisions, adding depth to the game. GameGrin also mentions the branching storylines and different playthroughs as elements that enhance the replay value. RPGamer states that the game offers a pleasing amount of fun throughout its runtime, indicating that there are enjoyable aspects to be revisited. The Indie Game Website acknowledges the mechanic of redoing decisions using Chernobylite currency, although they mention that the importance of choices is somewhat flattened. Overall, the positive aspects of the replay value of Chernobylite lie in its branching storylines, different playthroughs, and the ability to change past decisions. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the replay value of Chernobylite. GameCritics mentions that certain aspects of the game feel underdeveloped, which may impact the overall replayability. The Indie Game Website highlights that the material used to change decisions is fairly rare, potentially limiting the frequency at which players can engage with the replay value mechanic. These criticisms suggest that there may be some limitations or shortcomings in the game's replayability. Taking into account the opinions of the critics, it can be concluded that Chernobylite generally offers a good amount of replay value. The branching storylines, different playthroughs, and the ability to change decisions are frequently mentioned as positive aspects contributing to the game's replayability. Critics like AusGamers, GameGrin, and RPGamer emphasize the enjoyment and depth that these features bring to the game. However, GameCritics and The Indie Game Website raise concerns about certain aspects feeling underdeveloped and the rarity of the material used to change decisions. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus among the critics is that Chernobylite provides a satisfying level of replay value, with its non-linear story, branching choices, and various gameplay elements.