The Chernobyl disaster is one of the most infamous tragedies in history, and has recently been brought back into the spotlight through an HBO miniseries, which was incredibly well-reviewed. In the realm of video games, Chernobyl has seen surprising little focus, outside of the old S.T.A.L.K.E.R. franchise and that one Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare mission.
The folks at Farm 51 are looking to change that with their upcoming survival-horror project Chernobylite. As the name suggests, the game is a rogue-lite of sorts; each playthrough will be entirely unique, introducing new story elements, characters to interact with, and new in-game events.
The main focus is non-linear storytelling were every decision you make matters. Characters are at the center of the story, and everyone you encounter has their own goals and hidden agenda. They could be your friend one minute, only to turn on you if you do something that goes against their personal mission. Do you try to explore the dangerous territory alone? Or will you put your trust in one of the game’s many NPCs?
Playing as a physicist who used to work at Chernobyl, your character is able to take advantage of a number of different resources to craft tools that will help on your journey. The goal is simple; explore the environment, build equipment at your HQ to help with your journey, and prepare yourself to journey to Chernobyl’s “Heart of Darkness.” Why? To find your lost love, Tatyana. Her spirit is appearing in and around the Chernobyl area, and only you can uncover the mystery. Every action and every choice matters, and will have an impact on the world around you.
Along the way, you’ll face a variety of interesting threats. Everything around you is a potential danger. Not only will you encounter other characters that can help or hurt you, the area is rife with mutated creatures that want nothing more than to tear you apart. Not to mention the supernatural encounters and other strange anomalies to be found.
Chernobylite is also unique in the way it is presenting its world. This is a version of Chernobyl that many of us have never seen before. The game features a 3D-scanned recreation the actual Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a 2600 square-kilometer area around the power plant that is still highly restricted.
Basically, you’ll be playing in a super-accurate version of the real place, where every structure and geographical feature is almost identical to the real-life location.
As of right now, the game is slated for a PC release sometime in 2020 or 2021, though the team is hoping to expand to consoles. The team at Farm 51 is small, but the content they’ve already managed to put into the game is impressive. If you’re interested in the project, it’s worth checking out their Kickstarter page in order to help fund the game.
Those who pledge $15 or more will also receive a playable demo, showcasing just a small portion of what the game will have to offer… if you dare.
