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 10,304 reviews

gameplay295 positive mentions

grinding195 negative mentions

gameplay
881 mentions
33 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
5 % 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 well-designed systems that encourage cooperation and creativity, while the humor and unique mechanics, such as the quirky bathroom and cooking mini-games, add charm to the experience. However, some critiques mention that certain survival mechanics can feel punishing or tedious, particularly in the early game, though many find the overall gameplay loop satisfying and rewarding.
- “The gameplay, crafting, and storyline are so good you will not care about the dated graphics.”
- “The mechanics feel very fleshed out and it's fun to figure out how things work as you go.”
- “I play a lot of survival/crafting games and most of them just blend into all of the other mediocre games that release every year, but this one has genuinely interesting atmosphere and fun gameplay that feels difficult but not in a punishing way.”
- “The way you 'discover' recipes is a dumb mechanic that just wastes time instead of adding any value to the gameplay.”
- “Game runs horribly, the late game section hydroplant is designed like complete utter garbage, honestly the entire game is designed like garbage as everything that is remotely interesting has nothing boosting it with these obnoxious survival mechanics.”
- “The gameplay loop is very shallow, the combat sucks, you're constantly making loops back to your base just to drop junk off to keep your items repaired.”
story
857 mentions
32 % positive mentions
67 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The story in "Abiotic Factor" is a standout feature, blending survival mechanics with a compelling narrative reminiscent of classic titles like Half-Life and SCP lore. Players engage with a well-crafted world where exploration, environmental storytelling, and character interactions reveal a rich backstory, driving them to uncover secrets and progress through the game. While the story is currently unfinished, it offers a satisfying mix of humor, intrigue, and engaging quests that keep players invested in their journey.
- “Hands down the best story-driven survival/crafting game I've ever played.”
- “The story is interesting, the crafting is fun and sensible, and the game is constantly engaging with mini-games in what would usually be down/boring times of the game.”
- “The story and worldbuilding is also great; I am not one to pay attention to the lore of a survival game, but unlocking entries on the world and monsters and scientific logs is a lot of fun and makes me look forward to finding out more about the things the scientists and other factions do in this world.”
- “The story, if you can even call it that, is as thin as the air on the alien planet you’re stuck on.”
- “The storyline is also pretty tough to follow; there's a lab and you're trying to save people after something happened?”
- “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.”
graphics
584 mentions
28 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Abiotic Factor" evoke a nostalgic charm reminiscent of late '90s and early 2000s titles, particularly the original Half-Life, with a low-poly aesthetic that some players find endearing. While many reviews acknowledge the dated visuals, they emphasize that the game's engaging gameplay, immersive atmosphere, and clever design more than compensate for any graphical shortcomings. Overall, the retro art style is seen as a deliberate choice that enhances the game's unique identity and appeal, especially for fans of survival crafting genres.
- “The graphics are throwback and make it fun to play.”
- “The graphics hit that nostalgic feel of half-life 1 perfectly, and the environment looks fantastic too, especially the anteverses.”
- “The aesthetic is clearly an intentional homage to half life 1, but look deeper and you can see how Unreal 5 Nanite is under the hood.”
- “I couldn't get past the 1988 graphics.”
- “The graphics could be a bit better—not in terms of cinematic quality, but more so that, for example, wrists don't detach from the body and character proportions are a bit more realistic.”
- “I really wanted to enjoy the game, but can't get past the terrible early 2000s graphics.”
humor
328 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its cleverness and balance, blending dark, quirky, and absurd elements reminiscent of classic titles like Half-Life and SCP. Players enjoy the comedic interactions, funny character dialogues, and unexpected situations that arise during gameplay, particularly in multiplayer settings where shared experiences amplify the hilarity. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with engaging survival mechanics, making it a fun and memorable experience.
- “The humor in the game is amazing as I always seem to be laughing when one of the characters says something funny.”
- “The absolute terror of fleeing a horde of enemies you can't kill yet, then getting the notification that if you don't find a bathroom now you are going to poop yourself creates an incredible mix of fear, humor, and challenge.”
- “It's funny, it's charming, it's well-paced, and has fun gameplay.”
grinding
225 mentions
4 % positive mentions
9 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of grinding in the game, with some players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in solo play, while others appreciate the balance of grinding with engaging gameplay and quality of life improvements that reduce the grind over time. Many players noted that while there are grindy elements, especially related to skill leveling and resource gathering, the overall experience is often enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings where tasks can be shared. Overall, the game is seen as less grindy compared to typical survival games, with a focus on exploration and crafting that keeps the experience engaging.
- “The puzzles are well thought out and aren't too grindy for the most part.”
- “The journey and content is compelling, and the shortcuts you unlock after completing key areas make the game rewarding and not tedious.”
- “My regular gaming buddy and I have rarely played a game that was just so much pure fun as this one: no grinding, no major bugs, a compelling story, the right mix of challenge vs reward, humorous without being silly, and a really creative crafting system that makes fun weapons and traps without getting bogged down.”
- “30+ hours in and didn't have a single shred of fun, just constant tedious slogging.”
- “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/too much time spent salvaging for me.”
atmosphere
207 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive world-building, drawing strong inspiration from classics like Half-Life and SCP, creating a unique blend of tension and humor. Players appreciate the striking visuals, detailed sound design, and the captivating environments that enhance the overall experience, making exploration and survival engaging. The atmosphere is described as both haunting and nostalgic, effectively balancing moments of levity with a sense of danger, contributing to a compelling gameplay experience.
- “The atmosphere is immaculate and the survival is entertaining, unlike something like Raft.”
- “The game's atmosphere, combined with its deep gameplay mechanics, makes it a highly enjoyable experience, whether you're a casual player or a hardcore survival enthusiast.”
- “The atmosphere in the game is pure delight, truly.”
- “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
167 mentions
18 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
22 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in later areas and during multiplayer sessions. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others have noted frequent frame drops, stuttering, and lag, especially when transitioning between zones or as their bases grow larger. Overall, players acknowledge that the game is still in early access and express hope for future optimization improvements from the developers.
- “The base building and exploration is great, and you're able to place a lot of objects in your base without hurting the performance of the game.”
- “For a game that thrives on chaos, 'abiotic factor' runs smoothly, with minimal performance issues even in the most frantic scenarios.”
- “Overall, I have nothing negative to say; there were a few performance stutters on area transitions and a few skills that I think should be tweaked, but overall I had a fantastic time with the game and can't wait to see what they add next.”
- “The biggest negative so far would be optimization; the game does have some lag/fps drops at times, mostly in portal worlds (especially so later in the game), but again, it'll be ironed out with the next updates.”
- “One issue I have is that the game is poorly optimized for FPS; you would assume by the graphics that this game would run insanely fast, but some graphical elements are heavily holding down the performance.”
- “The only problem I'm having with the game is the lack of optimization.”
stability
57 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the stability of the game is mixed, with many players reporting a range of bugs and glitches, particularly in early access. While some users experienced significant issues like freezing and crashes, others found the game to be mostly bug-free and enjoyable, indicating that performance may vary based on individual setups. The developers appear to be actively addressing these issues, suggesting improvements over time.
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “I will admit though, as of late, I've been having a rather annoying issue where when I attempt to open a storage container in the mid-late game, my computer freezes up solid requiring me to force it to shut down and reboot.”
- “It is however a buggy game, sometimes things fall through the map, some armor sets cause you to instantly die if your friends are wearing it too and you hit each other with a butterknife, small things like that.”
replayability
32 mentions
38 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while some players find it highly enjoyable with significant replay value due to character customization and multiplayer options, others note a lack of randomization and procedural elements that limit replayability compared to other survival games. Many appreciate the engaging gameplay and potential for different builds, but some suggest that the absence of varied environments and loot reduces the incentive to replay. Overall, the game offers decent replayability, particularly in multiplayer settings, but may not satisfy those seeking infinite replay value.
- “Easily the game of the year for me, and firmly in the 'I wish I could forget this so I could replay this' category (not that it doesn't have good replayability, it does!)”
- “The combination of procedural elements and randomized events ensures that every session is unpredictable, making it perfect for replayability.”
- “Endless replayability, perfect co-op, incredibly addicting.”
- “Replay value, other than having a different starting character, there is really no reason to restart.”
- “This game's biggest downside is that it's not particularly replayable compared to a lot of survival games.”
- “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
27 mentions
56 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music and sound design in the game are widely praised for their ability to create an immersive atmosphere that enhances gameplay, with an atmospheric soundtrack that complements the game's tone and evokes feelings of isolation and tension. Many players appreciate the quality of the music, noting its contribution to the overall experience, while some express a desire for a more suspenseful soundtrack during critical moments. Overall, the combination of music, sound design, and gameplay is seen as a key factor in the game's appeal.
- “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 gameplay is great, the music is great, everything just flows very well.”
- “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.”
- “All I want is a digital soundtrack, please.”
emotional
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a wide range of emotions while engaging with the game, from laughter and nostalgia to moments of heartfelt connection and tension. The game's blend of humor, charm, and immersive lore creates a unique emotional experience that resonates deeply, making players feel both liberated and invested in their journey. Overall, it successfully evokes a sense of joy and anticipation, despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics.
- “Before purchasing, I had checked some of the reviews here and the one that sold me was something along the lines of 'this game has made me feel like playing games again.'”
- “This is one of those rare games that truly deserves a heartfelt review.”
- “Emotional moments are primarily driven by player experiences; tension abounds, as do laughs if you play in coop.”
monetization
14 mentions
7 % positive mentions
21 % neutral mentions
71 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players expressing a preference for ad support over microtransactions, which they view as predatory and indicative of a cash grab mentality. Many appreciate the absence of DLC and microtransactions, praising the developers for creating a game that feels genuine and enjoyable rather than a generic product designed solely for profit. However, there are concerns about misleading advertisements that do not accurately represent the gameplay experience.
- “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.”
character development
4 mentions
25 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Character development in "Abiotic Factor" is marked by a blend of intentionally poor character design and stunning visuals, creating a unique aesthetic that complements the game's humor. The thoughtful ideation behind the characters and environments enhances the immersive experience, drawing inspiration from the iconic style of Half-Life 1 while infusing it with a comical twist.
- “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.”