Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone PREVIEW
Polish studio The Farm 51 recently unveiled Early Access to Exclusion Zone, a sequel to the atmospheric Chernobylite that promises an even deeper immersion into the unconventional Zone, where reality is subject to an unpredictable substance.
The events of Exclusion Zone unfold eight years after the finale of the original game. During this time, humanity not only did not destroy Chernobylite, but also learned to use it. It became a source of unlimited energy, allowed the creation of antigravity technologies, teleportation, and even modification of the human body. The world has changed, but to what extent this is for the better is an open question.
This time, the main character is a Briton named Cole Gray, whose life has gone downhill due to the technological revolution. Unemployment, debt, and family problems force him to accept an offer from NAR, a private military corporation that mines Chernobylite in parallel dimensions.
His journey begins at the base on the territory of the former DK Energetik in Pripyat, above which hovers a huge ship collecting Chernobylite. It is already clear here that the developers have once again carefully recreated the environment, relying on the same 3D scans of the real Zone, as they did before. However, the visual part of the project leaves much to be desired: although the game runs on Unreal Engine 5, the graphics in the game look somehow too simple, probably.
The first tasks do not seem difficult – resource extraction in alternative realities, elimination of opponents if necessary. However, soon the Chernobylite begins to behave strangely, and after an unexpected discovery by the physicist Kozlov (the same one from the original game), the NAR base is drawn into an unknown anomaly.
The ship crashes, Cole escapes in a capsule, and the Zone meets him in a completely different reality. Here he meets Leonid, an intelligent mutant, and then meets the black stalker Igor himself, who unexpectedly turns out to be an ally. Igor provides the hero with an abandoned outpost, which will become the starting point for a new journey.
The gameplay basis of Exclusion Zone is built on several key mechanics. The combat system combines firearms, close combat and “black magic” using the energy of Chernobylite. You can attack with fire and ice charges, replenishing energy in radioactive zones.
The game will feature six classes: from a heavily armed berserker to an emissary manipulator and technicians with drones and traps. The leveling system is somewhat reminiscent of Far Cry 3, offering three independent skill trees, and the variety of character parameters promises scope for building builds. There are not many enemies, but their concept is interesting. In addition to human raiders and mutants, Chernobylite has given birth to creatures resembling alien life forms, such as the “desert demon” – a flying creature that attacks with energy beams.
The equipment and base building system is reminiscent of the first part, but with a greater bias towards a looter shooter: containers with weapons and supplies are everywhere in the game, and killed enemies leave useful trophies. The arrangement of the base has become deeper: you can build rooms and workshops, create weapons and armor, equip a shelter.
The game world itself at this stage evokes mixed feelings. For now, the accessible territory is limited to a narrow corridor with rare details of the environment. The feeling of immersion in the Zone is also disrupted by the excessive green filter, which gives everything a caustic and unnatural shade. Bugs are also present, but we will not focus on them in the context of Early Access for now. Otherwise, the impressions are quite mixed. The visuals are the most troubling. Especially against the background of the original Chernobylite, which had a very atmospheric picture for its time.
Despite the vastness of the world, exploration often feels dull and directionless. Objectives can feel disjointed, and outside of missions, there’s not always a clear sense of purpose. However, there are still hidden details and quests to discover.
One highlight is the boss fights, which are creative and well-designed. I won’t spoil them, but they stand out from the regular enemies, which lack complexity and variety. It’s a shame that such thoughtful design isn’t present in the rest of the combat encounters.
Chernobylite 2 has a lot of ambition, and fans of Fallout-style RPGs will enjoy the faction dynamics, survival mechanics, and creepy atmosphere.
This is a new interpretation of a world where Chernobylite shapes thousands of futures: in some, it has become a curse, in others, it is the basis for progress. The game promises to explore not only abandoned locations, but the very essence of reality. Only the full version will tell how exciting it will be.
