Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone
Chernobyfull
Release Date: March 6, 2025 Early Access
RPG, FPP, TPP, science fiction, post-apocalypse, Polish, co-op, crafting, action RPG, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
Steam
The sequel to Chernobylite, once again developed by The Farm 51. Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is an action RPG with both FPP and TPP camera views. We travel to the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, playing as a character hunting for the precious titular material.
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is the second installment of the series launched in 2021. The game was developed by the authors of the first part of the series, namely the Polish studio The Farm 51. It is not an action game enriched with elements of survival horror (like its predecessor), but it belongs to the action RPG genre.
Plot
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone takes us to an alternative version of the titular exclusion zone surrounding the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant, where the worst disaster in the history of nuclear energy occurred in 1986. As a result of the disaster, a mysterious, valuable substance known as Chernobylite appeared in the world, so the Zone was quickly taken over by various factions keen to get their hands on it.
During the game we take on the role of a wanderer who, after being imprisoned in a zone, travels through parallel dimensions in search of valuable material. Over time, other people join us who are ready to share their skills. The fate of our character largely depends on our actions and choices.
Gameplay
In Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone we can watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP) or a third-person perspective (TPP). The game provides us with a vast, open world, where we will find both urban and rural ruins, as well as barren, atomic wastelands, or finally the strictly guarded area of the nuclear power plant itself. We explore the vast map, pick up various quests and make decisions that affect the further course of the story. We also confront various opponents.
Among the enemies standing in our way, we can find both mutated creatures and hostile people. The Zone is a battlefield between various faction and as a result some of our actions may be considered hostile, while others may consider us allies. To defend ourselves against enemies we use melee weapons and firearms, and among the murderous tools the most popular are prototypes reinforced with Chernobylite. As we progress, we develop the character, improving their attributes and skills, so that over time we can face increasingly greater challenges.
The direction in which we push our character not only affects how he will fare in combat (whether he will opt for stealth and eliminating enemies from a distance, or whether he will charge at adversaries with a battle cry on his lips and a great sword in his hands), but also how other inhabitants of the Zone will relate to him. Interestingly, thanks to the so-called "planewalking", we can make changes to our character "on the fly", to constantly adapt to the situations we find ourselves in.
The creators do not condemn us to a lonely journey. As we progress, we get to know other inhabitants of the Zone, who can join us. Each of them has an individual set of skills, strengths and weaknesses. During breaks from our travels, we can stay in our base camp, which we can also expand over time. This place serves as our shelter, where we can upgrade our equipment and create new ones, as well as assign missions to our companions.
Game modes
In Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone we can play alone or in co-op mode over the Internet. When playing with other people we can undertake special missions.
Engine
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is powered by Unreal Engine 5.
March 4, 2025
Games of March 2025 - we drift to museum with katana and Geiger counter
March is full of fun games - three of them will take us to Japan, and two will make the Geiger counter squeak. Besides, we finally got real competition for The Sims series.
Videos and Screens
[2:37] Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone - Early Access Announcement CGI Trailer
[1:30] Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone - Kickstarter Launch Trailer
The main pros of the game
- Atmosphere and Setting: Many users praised the game's immersive atmosphere and the intriguing setting of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, noting that it draws players in effectively.
- Gameplay Mechanics: The game offers a variety of gameplay elements, including different builds, weapon customization, and base building, which many players found engaging.
- Exploration: Users appreciated the open-world aspect, with opportunities for exploration and discovering loot, which adds depth to the gameplay experience.
- Story and Choices: The narrative and the impact of player choices were highlighted as strong points, with some players enjoying the complex story and character interactions.
- Developer Engagement: Several reviews noted the developers' responsiveness to community feedback and their commitment to improving the game.
The main cons of the game
- Performance Issues: A significant number of players reported severe optimization problems, including frame drops, stuttering, and crashes, making the game unplayable for some.
- AI Voice Acting: The use of AI-generated voice lines for NPCs and dialogue was criticized, with many players finding it immersion-breaking and of poor quality compared to human voice acting.
- Combat Mechanics: Some users found the combat to be clunky and less satisfying than expected, noting issues with targeting and melee attacks.
- Limited Co-op Features: Players expressed disappointment regarding the co-op mode, which is limited and not as expansive as anticipated, leading to feelings of being misled by marketing.
- Inventory Management: Issues with inventory space and the limited money available from vendors were also mentioned, making it difficult for players to manage loot effectively.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Polished Voice Acting: Many players want more human voice acting instead of AI-generated voices to enhance immersion.
- Better Optimization: Users are looking for significant improvements in performance, including smoother gameplay and fewer bugs.
- Expanded Co-op Functionality: Players wish for a more traditional co-op experience, with the ability to explore the open world together rather than being limited to specific missions.
- Enhanced Exploration: Some players expressed a desire for more interactive environments, with more buildings and areas to explore rather than blocked-off locations.
- Improved Combat Mechanics: There are calls for smoother combat animations and mechanics, particularly in first-person mode.
Summary
- In summary, while "Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone" has a promising foundation with engaging gameplay and a rich atmosphere, it currently suffers from performance issues, subpar voice acting, and limited co-op features that detract from the overall experience. Many players believe the game has potential but recommend waiting for further updates and optimizations before fully committing to it.
Summary generated on:
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone Summary
Game Series: Chernobylite
Platforms:
PC Windows March 6, 2025
PlayStation 5 2026
Xbox Series X/S 2026
Developer: The Farm 51
Publisher: The Farm 51
Age restrictions: 18+
Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: (30 fps, 1080p) Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 6 GB GeForce GTX 1060 / 8 GB Radeon RX 580, 150 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: (45 fps, 1080p) Intel Core i5-12600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce RTX 3060 / Radeon RX 6700 XT, 150 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Chernobylite 2 failed to meet expectations. Devs of open-world action RPG lay off 15 employees and announce development changes
The early access release of Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone has not gone the way of the developers. The Farm 51 announced downsizing and focusing on the elements most anticipated by players.
video games
Martin Bukowski
March 17, 2025
Chernobylite 2 World Will Be 20 Times Larger and 2-3 Times Longer Than the Original. Devs Target Fall 2025 for Post-Apocalyptic Action RPG
The developer of Chernobylite 2 revealed new details. The game will offer many changes from the first installment; the biggest one is expected to be the TPP view.
video games
Martin Bukowski
October 9, 2024