Abiotic Factor

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In "Abiotic Factor," players navigate a chaotic, otherworldly research lab after a containment breach, fighting off hostile anomalous entities and the Order, a militaristic sect seeking to seize powerful artifacts. As a GATE employee, it's up to you to secure the lab, protect survivors, and uncover the truth behind the catastrophe. With a mix of FPS action and adventurous exploration, prepare for a thrilling, immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 20,035 reviews

gameplay571 positive mentions

grinding396 negative mentions

gameplay
1,707 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Abiotic Factor" has been widely praised for its engaging mechanics, blending survival, crafting, and exploration elements reminiscent of classic titles like Half-Life and Project Zomboid. Players appreciate the cooperative gameplay, unique setting, and the ability to customize survival mechanics, which enhance the overall experience without becoming overly tedious. While some have noted issues with combat and certain survival mechanics, the game is generally seen as a refreshing take on the genre, offering a rich narrative and a variety of gameplay challenges that keep players invested.
- “I never got tired of the game for even a second; every moment of gameplay gives you something new and interesting. It’s absolutely impossible to get bored with it.”
- “The survival mechanics are engaging without being annoying, providing a high level of quality and enjoyable gameplay.”
- “The gameplay loop consists of getting a vague objective, scavenging for items and materials to survive and achieve that objective, all while exploring a detailed lab facility and fighting off various horrors and abominations.”
- “I played with a buddy, that basically couldn't leave the base the first 20 hours of gameplay, because of the batsh** crazy food/water requirements, and difficulty getting enough food/water.”
- “Early solo gameplay is extremely tedious.”
- “The gameplay is designed not to be difficult but to be as obnoxious as possible.”
story
1,651 mentions
32 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story in "Abiotic Factor" is a compelling blend of survival mechanics and narrative depth, drawing heavy inspiration from the Half-Life series and SCP lore. Players engage with a well-crafted environment that reveals its story through exploration, environmental storytelling, and interactions with NPCs, creating an immersive experience that keeps them invested. While the game is still in early access and the story is not yet complete, many players find the existing narrative engaging and are eager for future updates that will expand on it.
- “The story is awesome if you pay attention to everything like emails, holograms, survivors, etc.”
- “This game brings so much more to the table with story, gameplay that keeps you engaged, along with funny dialogue.”
- “The story is well-developed and is thoughtfully tied to the materials/recipes you acquire throughout.”
- “The story is currently unfinished (hence the early access), but clearly has significant potential and I cannot wait for the next update.”
- “The story is kind of forgettable so make sure your ears and eyes are wide open so you can understand what is going on in the facility.”
- “The story should be a lot more front and center in a game like this, especially since there's no questing.”
graphics
1,123 mentions
28 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Abiotic Factor" evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, drawing heavily from the aesthetic of the original Half-Life, with many players appreciating the retro, low-poly style reminiscent of late '90s and early 2000s games. While some critiques highlight that the visuals may feel outdated or simplistic, many reviewers argue that this choice enhances the game's charm and immersive atmosphere, allowing for engaging gameplay without the need for high-end graphics. Overall, the art style is seen as a deliberate homage that complements the game's themes and mechanics, making it a unique experience in the survival crafting genre.
- “The aesthetic, especially in the otherworldly zones, is immaculate.”
- “The graphics hit that nostalgic feel of Half-Life 1 perfectly, and the environment looks fantastic too, especially the anteverses.”
- “The graphics are charming, the world fun and filled with details that make sense and fit.”
- “The graphics are 20 years out of date.”
- “The only critique that some might not enjoy is the graphics are very ancient, but this is also to be able bring you a much bigger game with lots of freedom and not requiring everyone to have the latest minimum 5k investment into their hardware.”
- “It's not just that the graphics aren't good.”
humor
637 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Abiotic Factor" is widely praised for its clever writing, quirky characters, and the ability to blend comedic moments with tense gameplay. Players enjoy the absurdity of situations, such as humorous interactions with security robots and the game's unique mechanics, which often lead to laugh-out-loud moments, especially in co-op play. The game effectively balances humor with horror elements, creating a fun and engaging experience reminiscent of classic titles like Half-Life and SCP, making it a must-play for fans of both genres.
- “This game is a must-have for anyone who wants to play an engaging and humorous survival game with friends/family.”
- “The humor in the game is amazing as I always seem to be laughing when one of the characters says something funny.”
- “It's funny watching your friend get picked up and taken away by security robots or an entity and hearing their screams fade away into the distance.”
grinding
455 mentions
4 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The reviews for "grinding" in the game present a mixed perspective. While some players find the grinding aspects tedious, especially in solo play, many appreciate the balance of resource management and crafting that avoids excessive grind typical of survival games. Overall, the game is noted for its engaging gameplay and rewarding exploration, with some players suggesting that it shines in multiplayer settings where tasks can be shared, reducing the grind.
- “The journey and content is compelling, and the shortcuts you unlock after completing key areas make the game rewarding and not tedious.”
- “Crafting is not too grindy, and you can easily move bases once you explore the world more.”
- “The crafting element is well balanced to be not grindy at all while still occasionally pushing you to make risky choices to go hunting for specific materials.”
- “One of those games that gets good after 100 hours of grinding and to be honest, I'm tired of games like that.”
- “The game is very tedious in terms of grind.”
- “I did not really enjoy the game; the lore was nice to experience, but overall it felt like a bit too much grinding and too much time spent salvaging for me.”
atmosphere
403 mentions
57 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating design, drawing strong comparisons to the iconic feel of Half-Life and SCP. Players appreciate the blend of tension and humor, enhanced by effective sound design and unique art styles that create a haunting yet engaging environment. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the enjoyment and replayability of the experience.
- “The atmosphere in the game is pure delight, truly.”
- “The atmosphere, soundtrack, and lore all work together to create a surprisingly tense experience.”
- “The atmosphere is immaculate.”
- “The biggest thing I don't like about this game is when the 'fog atmosphere' spawns in and how long it takes to go away.”
- “But keep in mind that this game doesn't keep its atmosphere for long, and the novelty of it wears off very quickly.”
- “The concept and atmosphere are decent, unfortunately it struggles in the actual gameplay department.”
optimization
333 mentions
18 % positive mentions
61 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with many players noting significant performance issues, particularly in later areas and during zone transitions. While some users report smooth gameplay on older hardware, others experience frequent frame drops and stuttering, especially on lower-end systems. As the game is still in early access, developers are actively working on improvements, but many players hope for substantial optimization before the full release.
- “For a game that thrives on chaos, 'abiotic factor' runs smoothly, with minimal performance issues even in the most frantic scenarios.”
- “Game runs smoothly on pretty old hardware without many dips or stutter.”
- “Overall, I have nothing negative to say; there were a few performance stutters on area transitions, but overall I had a fantastic time with the game and can't wait to see what they add next.”
- “Poor CPU optimization; only one CPU core is used. I don't know how to load it with minimum PC requirements, but my 9400F and 1660 give ~50 FPS and 25-30 on new locations (both on the lowest settings and on higher ones). Only by disabling lumen shadows can you get more or less playable FPS (to disable lumen shadows, you will have to manually change the parameters in the game files).”
- “The game has many good ideas, but sadly it's held back by poor optimization.”
- “The only problem I'm having with the game is the lack of optimization.”
stability
113 mentions
42 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
58 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with many players reporting minimal bugs and solid performance, especially for an early access title. While some glitches and minor issues exist, they are often not game-breaking and are being actively addressed by the developers. Players have noted that the game runs well on a variety of systems, including lower-end hardware, though some graphical elements may require adjustments for optimal performance.
- “The devs are very on top of keeping things playable and bug free, while adding more content over time!”
- “Basically bug free, feature complete for the first 4/6 zones, very minor balancing that is getting regularly patched, and just an overall amazing game.”
- “Unlike most survival crafting games that launch in early access, Abiotic Factor has a fully fleshed out crafting and base building system that is not buggy.”
- “From texture glitches to disappearing items, Abiotic Factor has a bug infestation.”
- “It is, however, a buggy game; sometimes things fall through the map, and some armor sets cause you to instantly die if your friends are wearing them too and you hit each other with a butterknife.”
- “There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to navigate through a world that stutters and freezes like it’s auditioning for a role in a horror movie.”
replayability
62 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its procedural elements and character customization that enhance replay value, while others note a lack of random generation and limited content compared to top survival games like Valheim and Terraria. Multiplayer experiences and different character builds contribute positively to replayability, but some feel it may not offer enough incentive to restart without significant updates or changes. Overall, while there is potential for replayability, it varies widely among players' experiences and expectations.
- “The combination of procedural elements and randomized events ensures that every session is unpredictable, making it perfect for replayability.”
- “All that said, you will encounter an awesome game that rivals the replayability of even 7 Days to Die, with exploration and secrets, puzzles, and just an awesome playground of a facility with level design that is the closest thing to Dark Souls 1 and Metroidvanias that I have ever seen in a first-person survival game.”
- “Endless replayability, perfect co-op, incredibly addicting.”
- “This game's biggest downside is that it's not particularly replayable compared to a lot of survival games.”
- “I will add though that even as a 10/10 with the changes they could make, there would be little to no replayability.”
- “There isn't any random generation to the map and very little to the loot, so the replay value isn't as high as other survival crafting games.”
music
55 mentions
53 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality, effectively enhancing the immersive experience and complementing the visuals. Many players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to set the tone and evoke feelings of exploration and tension, although some suggest that more ambient music could improve moments of suspense. Overall, the combination of sound design and music contributes significantly to the game's engaging atmosphere and gameplay flow.
- “The atmospheric soundtrack complements the visuals perfectly, creating an immersive experience that draws you in and keeps you hooked.”
- “The music and sound design are impressive, contributing to a highly immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay.”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack perfectly complements the game’s tone, enhancing the sense of isolation and tension.”
- “The game is fun, I just think the biggest factor taking away from it is the soundtrack.”
- “This game doesn't have any suspense through the soundtrack leading up to and during moments that would have otherwise been much more scary.”
- “Some suggestions, however, is that I think that ambient music being more present at times could improve the overall atmosphere of the game.”
emotional
38 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking a range of feelings from nostalgia to joy and tension, particularly in cooperative play. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create heartfelt experiences through its charming art style, engaging lore, and satisfying gameplay loop, making them feel a renewed passion for gaming. Despite some criticisms, such as weapon balancing, the overall sentiment is that the game offers a unique emotional journey that keeps players invested and eager for future updates.
- “This is one of those rare games that truly deserves a heartfelt review.”
- “I laughed, I cried, I built a device to teleport my bodily waste into another dimension.”
- “This isn't even just a 'nostalgia' thing but it adds to the emotional whiplash this game will give you (in a good way).”
monetization
26 mentions
8 % positive mentions
19 % neutral mentions
73 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some users criticizing it as a "cheap, shallow cash grab" filled with microtransactions, while others appreciate the absence of such practices, noting the developers' commitment to creating a genuine gaming experience. Players express a desire for alternative monetization methods, like ads, instead of the typical in-game purchases that detract from gameplay quality. Overall, the game is seen as a refreshing departure from predatory monetization trends in the industry.
- “No DLC, no microtransactions (as of May 2024)”
- “I hope the game will get the recognition it deserves so people might remember what games were without predatory monetization practices and why we fell in love with gaming in the first place.”
- “Cheap, shallow, effortless cash grabs.”
- “They’re advertising an experience vastly different than what is actually accessible.”
- “Because these developers care about their creation unlike these other corporate companies that crap out garbage with in-app purchases to make up for their crappy game design.”
character development
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Character development in "Abiotic Factor" is marked by a unique blend of intentionally quirky character design and stunning visuals, which contribute to a vibrant game world. The thoughtful ideation behind the characters and environments reflects a strong sense of humor, enhancing the overall experience while drawing inspiration from classic titles like Half-Life 1.
- “Character design is almost intentionally atrocious; it might be that aforementioned sense of humor.”
- “Abiotic Factor is a survival crafting game heavily inspired by the story, world, and character designs of Half-Life 1.”
- “A lot of work and thoughtful ideation has come together to make the world of Abiotic Factor flourish; from the character design, set pieces, and down to the comically over-the-top science humor.”