Chernobylite

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Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 56

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Simplistic mechanics and repetition diminish a game that otherwise has some interesting ideas and concepts.

Skip It

Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 56

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 56

Simplistic mechanics and repetition diminish a game that otherwise has some interesting ideas and concepts.

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Critic Reviews for Chernobylite

Critic Reviews

Score Distribution

56

Reviews

Average Score - 74/100

74%

Ranges

7.5/10

Mick Fraser (God is a Geek)

Fans of hardcore survival games might find Chernobylite a little too easy-going, while horror aficionados may not be horrified enough. But if you’re looking for a more balanced experience with a compelling world and a lot of varied mechanics, Chernobylite is well worth investigating.

July 28, 2021 |

Full Review

Chernobylite is an interesting game, full of interesting ideas and with a good amount of content to offer; unless you go straight for the ending, it will entertain you for a good twenty hours. It’s not perfect: the AI isn’t brilliant, the horror atmosphere isn’t quite there, and there’s some repetetiveness. But if you’re looking for something to satiate your hunger for trips in the Exclusion Zone, Chernobylite is a solid choice.

July 28, 2021 |

Full Review

7.8/10

Simone Rampazzi (The Games Machine)

8/10

Jason Rodriguez (PC Invasion)

With a combination of multiple features and mechanics from different genres, as well as a setting that’s steeped in mystery, Chernobylite attempts to be the jack-of-all-trades. Unfortunately, a mediocre combat system, repetitive mission structure, and dull gameplay loop lead to questionable results.

July 27, 2021 |

Full Review

Mick Fraser (God is a Geek)

7.5/10 - (Read Review)

Simone Rampazzi (The Games Machine)

7.8/10 - (Read Review)

Jason Rodriguez (PC Invasion)

8/10 - (Read Review)

**Read all 56 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (56 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
33bits	Rubén Rionegro	90 / 100	09-28-2021	The Farm 51 has developed one of those games that we will always remember, offering a very successful console port. Its plot full of plot twists and decisions, as well as a solid and effective playable base, make Chernobylite a game that we should not miss under any circumstances. Its biggest flaw is that it does not delve deeper into some of its mechanics and they are used in a very basic way.	Read review
AusGamers	KostaAndreadis	8.5 / 10	07-29-2021	It gets a lot weirder from there.	Read review
BaziCenter	Mohammad Talebian	8 / 10	08-01-2021	Even tho comparing Chernobylite with titles like Metro and STALKER seems inevitable, in order to really feel and connect with Chernobylite you’ll have to judge it on its own merits. Chernobylite is not a 1st person shooter and if you expect action packed gameplay with tons of firework from it you will be disappointed. But if you are looking for an atmospheric adventure survival game where every choice makes a difference, Chernobylite will definitely satisfy you.	Read review
Bazimag	Seyed Ali Rooholamini	6.6 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite has many problems in its various parts, one of the most important of them is how monotonous the narative gets. This had good potential on paper but many big and small glaring shortcomings has made it not enough of an enjoyable experience. It is possible that avid fans of Eastern European titles will be able to fully connect with the game but it has pretty strong competitors in this particular style.	Read review
But Why Tho?	Arron Kluz	7 / 10	07-27-2021	Chernobylite is a solid package for any player looking for an original survival FPS with a lot of heart in it. The story is sufficient, but the game will really satisfy players who are looking for a difficult experience without holding their hand too much. For players looking for much more than just the gameplay, however, they may be left wanting.	Read review
Chalgyr’s Game Room	Natasha Waldram	8.5 / 10	08-18-2021	To conclude, Chernobylite is a game that ended up surprising me. It kept me engaged with how much stuff there was to do and the people I needed to handle, manage, and care for. It gives you control over every decision you make. You may come across tough situations where you might end up losing trust in certain team members by helping a wounded soldier, but even helping a bloodied soldier who works for the enemy may end up helping you sometime down the road.	Read review
Checkpoint Gaming	Charlie Kelly	6 / 10	07-28-2021	Have you ever played a game that has so many intriguing ideas that are begging to work but never quite reach that level? Chernobylite is that game for me. Never boring but never keeping me on the edge of my seat. Most of my investment here lies in the potential it shares. Donning your gear and risking your life for precious rarities may very well be worth it if you’re part of the hardcore survival fanbase and waiting on something new. If not, bunkering down and steering clear could undoubtedly do you good.	Read review
COGconnected	Mark Steighner	70 / 100	07-28-2021	Chernobylite certainly has ambitions beyond being a rote shooter and although not everything meshes and the gears of its systems sometimes grind, the setting feels authentically haunted and foreboding. There’s a lot going on in Chernobylite, and sometimes the melancholic love story at the center gets buried under unnecessary game play complications, tepid combat or shifts of tone. In other words, it’s all still a bit messy but interesting and worth playing for shooter, RPG or horror fans, especially those fascinated by this particular moment in modern history.	Read review
Eurogamer	Rick Lane	Recommended	07-28-2021	Slight repetition can’t diminish the incredible atmoshpere of Farm 51’s post-apocalyptic survival game.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Giovanni Calgaro	8 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite is a title in some ways surprising: born from a small	Read review
Gameblog	Damien Greffet	8 / 10	07-30-2021	Chernobylite is an excellent narrative RPG that will totally please players in need of post-apocalyptic settings. It certainly isn’t a revolution, as its combats and crafting systems feel very familiar, but it has a few mechanics that hit the mark and a great story with a powerful ending.	Read review
Gamefa	آریا بهپور	8 / 10	10-06-2021	Altogether, Chernobylite is a game with a very good story, characterisation and space-making and a mediocre gameplay.	Read review
GameGrin	Adam Kerr	6.5 / 10	08-12-2021	The Farm 51 understood everything about the setting of Cherobylite, which the nail incredibly. Sadly, their inability to stick to a solid gameplay plan means the overall experience is bloated with pointless systems which just pull the whole experience down a level.	Read review
GameMAG	Unknown	7 / 10	07-29-2021	Chernobylite is not gonna make up for the lack of the new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. game in your life, but even so it’s a good enough title to dive into before the release of the next GSC Game World project.	Read review
GamePro	Chris Werian	63 / 100	10-02-2021	Chernobylite is an interesting genre mix that gives a lot of space to its plot. However, the disastrous technology massively disturbs the pleasure.	Read review
Gamer Escape	Eliot Lefebvre	7 / 10	07-28-2021	This is a slower, more painful, and in many ways more failure-prone sort of game. But for players who enjoy the option of a slower ludonarrative and want to experience a build through this difficult situation, stalking the wreckage of the exclusion zone is going to be a lot of fun. If you’re willing to be patient and survival-minded, you’ll find a lot to enjoy here in Chernobylite.	Read review
GameSkinny	Mark Delaney	6 / 10	07-27-2021	Chernobylite is one of the most inconsistent games I can recall ever playing, with fantastic highs and frustrating lows, leading to someplace in between.	Read review
GameSpew	Richard Seagrave	Recommended	07-28-2021	Our only concern with Chernobylite so far is the game’s structure – going on small missions each game day in the same locations may eventually become a little repetitive. Oh, and the English voice acting isn’t very good – you’re better off sticking with the default Russian with English subtitles. Other than that though, we’ve been fairly engrossed by its mix of horror, action, survival, base building and team management. Its 3D scanned recreation of Chernobyl’s exclusion zone looks absolutely gorgeous, too, being picturesque yet also haunting. Check back later for our final verdict on the game once we’ve seen our journey through to its end.	Read review
GameWatcher	Gavin Herman	8 / 10	07-28-2021	If you love the atmosphere of Eastern European survival games but hate the jank, Chernobylite is for you. Its cycle of scavenging and questing is addicting, and its characters are fun to meet. But that also means it becomes too easy once you get a feel for the controls and mechanics. Add that with a story that isn’t scary, and you have a flawed game with an engaging core. It held my attention during its full runtime, and I can’t say that for a lot of games.	Read review
Gaming Nexus	Eric Hauter	8 / 10	09-28-2021	While ostensibly a first-person RPG, Chernobylite surprises with its fun base-building and personnel management mechanics. Creepy, weird, and unique, Chernobylite offers a great story and interesting combat scenarios-even if the gunplay is a bit glitchy. An unconventionally unique game in a very cool setting, Chernobylite is recommended for those looking for something a bit different.	Read review
GamingBolt	Usaid	7 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite’s divergent paths bolster its replayability but its inconsistencies in other areas drag down the experience.	Read review
GamingTrend	Lawrence Le	75 / 100	08-10-2021	Chernobylite’s trifecta of gun combat, survival, and base management serves the game’s unique narrative system. With more features comes more shortcomings, but nothing drastic enough to take away from an otherwise compelling experience.	Read review
GBAtemp	Jakub Kowalski	7.6 / 10	10-18-2021	Chernobylite might not be AAA, but it’s great bang for the buck. At £29.99 I think it’s a steal, but buyer beware! With its numerous performance issues the title isn’t for everyone.	Read review
Generación Xbox	Javier Gutierrez Bassols	8 / 10	09-28-2021	‎Chernobylite is a proposal that works perfectly. Yes, it has lights and shadows in the graphic section, but the good points are more numerous and better. Especially the great care and detail with which all the exteriors of each “open world” have. Not in vain, although the game takes place in a single area, in each mission we will be in a delimited space, but where we have total freedom to move.‎	Read review
God is a Geek	Mick Fraser	7.5 / 10	07-28-2021	Fans of hardcore survival games might find Chernobylite a little too easy-going, while horror aficionados may not be horrified enough. But if you’re looking for a more balanced experience with a compelling world and a lot of varied mechanics, Chernobylite is well worth investigating.	Read review
GRYOnline.pl	Dariusz Matusiak	8 / 10	07-28-2021	In case someone was disappointed by the lack of freedom in The Medium, let it be known that Chernobylite brings much more leeway in terms of gameplay, while offering equally pretty graphics and dark atmosphere. Until the second S.T.A.L.K.E.R. arrives, there is no better game for visiting Chernobyl.	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Cory Wells	4 / 5 stars	07-28-2021	Chernobylite offers a deep survival game experience that offers elements of sci-fi, horror and RPG. It’s hard to call this a survival horror title, but all the management aspects and the branching storylines will provide fans of the survival genre plenty to enjoy.	Read review
Hey Poor Player	Jonathan Trussler	2 / 5 stars	10-07-2021	Chernobylite is an enjoyable little loot n’ shooter sadly torpedoed by technical issues for the PS4 version. It’s such a shame that the intriguing storyline and the compulsive scavenging fun is completely ruined by bugs. I was looking forward to uncovering the dark mysteries lurking within Pripyat, but until the game-breaking errors are fixed, they will have to remain hidden.	Read review
IGN Italy	Stefano Castagnola	6 / 10	07-28-2021	A game with some interesting ideas and concepts, that sometimes manage to provide meaningful content to the players but are too often obscure by the deeply repetitive nature of gameplay and quest design.	Read review
Jump Dash Roll	Shaun McHugh	7 / 10	07-28-2021	If you’re expecting S.T.A.L.K.E.R. you’ll be disappointed, but if you’re jonesing for some forbidden zone action then Chernobylite is worth your time.	Read review
JVL	Nyam Hazz	7.5 / 10	08-01-2021	Chernobylite is a complete game that comes in different aspects of gameplay and still offers good value for money. If the tactical part with management of the base and companions is pleasant, as is the infiltration, the fights are nevertheless somewhat behind, especially because of the very dark graphics making it difficult to locate the enemies. The latter are however well detailed and participate in the successful atmosphere of the app, enhanced by the soundtrack.	Read review
Merlin’in Kazanı	Murathan Özlü	80 / 100	01-08-2022	Chernobylite successfully blends survival, horror and FPS genres with science fiction with its storytelling style and gameplay.	Read review
New Game Network	Ben Thomas	79 / 100	07-28-2021	Chernobylite combines a multifaceted narrative with stunning, atmospheric levels that repopulate with fantastic points of interest. Players can sneak or shoot their way around the faithfully recreated Zone and see the modest ripple effects of story choices they can alter following each death.	Read review
Niche Gamer	Welfare Walrus	8 / 10	07-28-2021	Quote not yet available	Read review
Noisy Pixel	Semy Rahman	8 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite is a unique approach to the world and aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. The narrative is so compelling that it keeps your eyes glued to the screen, and the level of detail is absolutely mesmerizing. Though it does get bogged down with mundanity and repetition, the moments of interest outweigh the moments of boredom. If you want an immersive experience with an intricate plot, Chernobylite makes a good case for itself.	Read review
Oyungezer Online	Anton Semchenko	8 / 10	08-02-2021	Chernobylite is a good alternative if you are tired of STALKERs but you want to feel some Chernobyl radiation.	Read review
PC Gamer	Robert Zak	78 / 100	07-27-2021	An ambitious and atmospheric adventure undercut by some simplistic mechanics.	Read review
PC Invasion	Jason Rodriguez	7.5 / 10	07-27-2021	With a combination of multiple features and mechanics from different genres, as well as a setting that’s steeped in mystery, Chernobylite attempts to be the jack-of-all-trades. Unfortunately, a mediocre combat system, repetitive mission structure, and dull gameplay loop lead to questionable results.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	Timothy Nunes	7 / 10	09-28-2021	Chernobylite combines some cool ideas and implements them in a way that complements the story it wants to tell. Several issues stand in its way, with potential save corruption acting as the biggest road block. Once that issue gets patched out, the core experience will offer up something unique, even if many of its gameplay elements lack depth.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Rui Celso	65 / 100	09-28-2021	Chernobylite is a game with fun mechanics that make you spend a lot of time on them. However, the slow gameplay and the horribly buggy performance keep players away from any fun the game might provide. Maybe they’ll improve the PS4 version through updates, but until then, choose to wait for the next-gen version.	Read review
Rely On Horror	Andrew Heaton	7.5 / 10	08-19-2021	While stunning visually, with impressive textures and world building, Chernobylite tends to think of itself as a hodgepodge of genres.	Read review
RPGamer	Zack Webster	3 / 5 stars	07-28-2021	As an RPG it’s a fairly light endeavor, but the workmanlike quality and some cool decisions will do enough to keep plenty interested throughout its whole runtime.	Read review
Screen Rant	Joseph Fonseca	4 / 5 stars	07-28-2021	Chernobylite’s mixed collection of gameplay styles comes together beautifully. The narrative is engaging, the world is atmospheric, combat is solid , and the base building is decent. It may not be a STALKER game, and it’s eclectic collection of elements are integrated with varying degrees of success, but Chernobylite offers a worthy replacement, full of its own charms and quirks that will allow it to stand on its own two feet.	Read review
SECTOR.sk	Branislav Kohút	8 / 10	07-28-2021	Interesting radioactive survival game with less atractive missions, but good base and team management.	Read review
Softpedia	Cosmin Vasile	7.5 / 10	07-28-2021	There are rough edges but I expect all of them will be solved via patches. The Farm 51 has created an atmospheric and challenging game that mixes plenty of inspirations in a cool new way. More variety in terms of locations and more options for combat would have made Chernobylite an instant classic.	Read review
SomHráč.sk	Adam Hambálek	75 / 100	08-04-2021	Chernobylite benefited from the long dev cycle and the evident amount of care The Farm 51 has provided for the title. However, the result is simply just a pretty enjoyable and atmospheric title with several lacking aspects such as the AI and enemy variability.	Read review
SpazioGames	Unknown	7.4 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite mixes up different genres and tells a compelling spy-story tied to the infamous Chernobyl disaster. However, It needs a post-launch balancement and less repetitive missions.	Read review
TechRaptor	Cody Peterson	7 / 10	07-29-2021	Chernobylite is nearly impossible to put in a specific genre and it feels generally unpolished, but the sheer amount of fun and excitement that it provides makes the game more than worth playing.	Read review
The Game Fanatics	Julian Harris	Recommended	08-16-2021	Chernobylite delivered a lot more than I originally expected. The story is great and keeps the player wanting to find out more. The gameplay adds unique elements to the normal first-person shooter and horror genres. The option to go through a game non-lethally is not a new concept but adding the insanity aspect adds layers to this already complex game. For lovers of games like Metro and S.T.A.L.K.E.R., this will be a welcomed treat. This emotional and complex trip through Chernobyl is well worth the price of entry. All the different aspects implemented into Chernobylite can lead to hours of entertainment.	Read review
The Games Machine	Simone Rampazzi	7.8 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite is an interesting game, full of interesting ideas and with a good amount of content to offer; unless you go straight for the ending, it will entertain you for a good twenty hours. It’s not perfect: the AI isn’t brilliant, the horror atmosphere isn’t quite there, and there’s some repetetiveness. But if you’re looking for something to satiate your hunger for trips in the Exclusion Zone, Chernobylite is a solid choice.	Read review
TrueAchievements	Tom West	4 / 5 stars	09-28-2021	Chernobylite is a lovingly crafted example of what a post-apocalyptic game can and should be, offering players a rollercoaster of a story with plenty of choices that naturally lend to an overarching sense of freedom. Aside from a few technical issues, Chernobylite does everything right and wraps it all in a tense, and oftentimes uncomfortable, package that has you wanting to see what’s lurking around the next corner. If there has ever been a game that makes you want to pack your bags and take a trip to a dangerous part of the world, this is it.	Read review
Twinfinite	Andrew McMahon	3.5 / 5 stars	08-05-2021	I’m sure anyone who loves a good survival or post-apocalyptic game will enjoy this one. Yet, I can’t help but wonder how much better the game would be had Farm51 chose to focus on what made it unique instead of adding in a bunch of other elements that were underdeveloped.	Read review
WayTooManyGames	Kyle Nicol	7.5 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite is a wonderfully unique game with multiple gameplay elements that make it stand out rather than being dumped as just another post-apocalyptic survival game.	Read review
WellPlayed	Edward Darling	8.5 / 10	07-28-2021	Chernobylite weaves together a strong narrative, compelling characters and highly detailed environments to deliver a glowing (pun intended) entry into the sci-fi survival horror RPG genre.	Read review
Windows Central	Brendan Lowry	4 / 5 stars	07-28-2021	Chernobylite’s great survival horror gameplay, top-notch atmosphere, and excellent audiovisual presentation make it a must-play title for any fan of games like STALKER.	Read review
Zoomg	افشین پیروزی	8 / 10	08-22-2021	All in all, especially for fans of games like the Stalker series, playing Chernobylite is a good option that you will never regret experiencing.	Read review

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

It’s a science-fiction survival horror experience, mixing the free exploration of its disturbing world with challenging combat, unique crafting, and non-linear storytelling. Play as a physicist, one of the Chernobyl Power Plant’s ex-employees, and investigate the mysterious disappearance of your beloved. Try to survive and reveal the contamination zone’s twisted secrets. Remember, the military presence is not your only concern.

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