CHERNOBYL: The Untold Story

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 34 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
CHERNOBYL: The Untold Story Game Cover
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"Chernobyl: The Untold Story" is a survival horror game set in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Players must navigate the dangerous, radioactive environment while avoiding or fighting mutated creatures. The game features a non-linear story based on real events and testimonies of people affected by the disaster.

  • PC
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 34 reviews
story5 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The reload mechanic is innovative and adds a layer of strategy to the gameplay, making players more engaged in their shooting.
  • The game offers a fascinating historical journey through the Soviet Union, with well-crafted visuals and a compelling atmosphere.
  • The soundtrack is enjoyable and complements the game's aesthetic, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The combat missions are excessively difficult, making the game feel unplayable for many players, even on the easiest mode.
  • The gameplay can become repetitive and lacks depth, leading to a tedious experience despite the interesting premise.
  • The story feels insubstantial and poorly executed, with many players finding it lacking in character development and coherence.
  • story31 mentions

    The story in "Chernobyl: The Untold Story" receives mixed reviews, with some praising its exploration of Soviet life and the aftermath of its collapse, while others find it lacking depth and coherence. Many players feel that the narrative is overshadowed by frustratingly difficult combat missions, leading to a disconnection from the story. Overall, while the premise has potential, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a plot that feels underdeveloped and unengaging.

    • “I loved the story it told about the people that lived in the Soviet era and the thoughts of people who live after its fall.”
    • “Great storyline.”
    • “It's based on the real story.”
    • “The story is a nothing-burger.”
    • “Unfortunately there isn't much to the story.”
    • “The story is...meh.”
  • gameplay18 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising the innovative reload mechanic that adds a timing challenge, while others criticize the overall experience as repetitive and lacking depth. Players noted that the game is short, lasting around three hours, which some found to be an appropriate length, but many felt the gameplay itself was uninspired and not engaging enough to warrant a longer playtime. Overall, while there are some interesting mechanics and stylistic elements, the gameplay is often described as boring and not particularly refined.

    • “A small but subtle thing that I think is absolutely genius about this game is what they did with the reload mechanic.”
    • “The developers decided to tie a small timing game to the reloading mechanic. Whenever you press the reload button, your gun will reload no matter what, even if you miss the timing or don't hit the button at all. However, if you succeed at the mini-game, the reload animation is much faster, saving crucial seconds that could leave you vulnerable if you miss. Not to mention, you actually have to take your eyes off the action for a second to succeed at the mini-game.”
    • “Rail shooter with Gears of War reload mechanics and bullet time!”
    • “Nice concept and I like how they told you about the bad parts of the USSR, but the gameplay is really, I mean really, repetitive and kind of boring.”
    • “I will say this: after 3 hours, I do feel I got my money's worth time-wise, but not plot-wise or gameplay-wise.”
    • “Gameplay is quite boring and is divided into two parts: moving through Pripyat, collecting posters and busts of USSR leaders, and the second, hardcore part - shooting at infected people and soldiers.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its quality, featuring a mix of engaging background tracks and ambient sounds that enhance the overall atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the standout opening song and the effective use of synthwave elements that complement the action, making the soundtrack enjoyable both in-game and independently. Overall, the music is considered a strong point, contributing positively to the game's minimalistic aesthetics and gameplay experience.

    • “The action is very classic and feels like an on-rails arcade shooter while the synthwave music bumps and pushes you through the action.”
    • “The opening song is a banger, and the more ambient music as you wander fits the atmosphere really well.”
    • “Yes, the soundtrack is incredible and underrated, and I will still keep buying Mehsoft titles until they make a game strong enough to get the global recognition they deserve.”
    • “My recommendation is to find the soundtrack on YouTube (it's not hard to find, and it's only 4 songs), and give that a good listen to as it's quite enjoyable apart from the game.”
    • “The action is very classic and feels like an on-rails arcade shooter while the synthwave music bumps and pushes you through the action.”
    • “In this review, I'll cover the basics: plot, gameplay, soundtrack, everything else.”
  • graphics6 mentions

    The graphics are generally well-received, featuring appealing retro-pixel art and a minimalistic aesthetic that enhances the overall atmosphere. Users appreciate the varied visuals for enemies across different levels, complemented by good background music that adds to the experience.

    • “The premise is unique, the graphics are lovely retro-pixel, and the atmosphere is on point.”
    • “There are different visuals for enemies based on the level you are in.”
    • “It has pretty good music and a neat art style.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its effective use of Soviet Union stylistic elements, creating a nuanced and parodic commentary on authoritarianism. Players appreciate the unique premise, lovely retro-pixel graphics, and fitting ambient music, which together create an immersive experience that some may prefer over challenging gameplay. Overall, the atmosphere is described as a compelling blend of influences, reminiscent of notable works like "Policenauts" and "Chernobyl."

    • “The opening song is a banger, and the more ambient music as you wander fits the atmosphere really well.”
    • “The premise is unique, the graphics are lovely retro-pixel, and the atmosphere is on point.”
    • “Just like the title is a combination of simple words that create a unique sentence, the game is a genius combination of simple, but effective and memorable parts of other games - it takes inspiration from Policenauts, Fallout, and the thick atmosphere of HBO's Chernobyl.”
    • “It uses the stylistic trimmings of the Soviet Union much more effectively, and to much greater - and more nuanced - parodic levels, and it manages to make a statement on the senselessness of authoritarianism through gameplay and atmosphere alone, unlike this game.”
    • “Some people might just want to experience the atmosphere, not play something brutally hard, and you risk losing players by making it too hard.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be a mix of poignant and humorous, particularly through the engaging descriptions of historical elements. However, some users express disappointment with the ending, feeling it undermined their overall experience.

    • “But if you click on the few buildings or cars, you will find short descriptions that are both touching and amusing, revealing what life was really like back then.”
    • “The ending truly made me feel like I wasted two and a bit hours of my life.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and lacking substance, leading to a sense of emptiness during gameplay.

    • “The game feels insubstantial, empty, and even tedious at times.”
    • “Grinding becomes a mind-numbing chore rather than an engaging experience.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it hard to stay invested in the game.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the lack of character development and perspective for the protagonist detracts from the story's engagement, highlighting the importance of close-ups in enhancing narrative depth, as seen in "Mercury Man."

    • “The story and monologue are uninteresting because there's no character development, no perspective from the protagonist, which highlights how important close-ups were in 'The Mercury Man' to make the story engaging.”
    • “Character development is virtually nonexistent, leaving the characters feeling flat and unrelatable throughout the game.”
    • “The lack of meaningful character arcs makes it difficult to invest in the story, resulting in a disconnection from the characters and their journeys.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Users highlight the game's great replayability, indicating that it offers engaging content and experiences that encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “The game offers great replayability with multiple paths and choices that keep each playthrough fresh.”
    • “I love how every decision I make leads to different outcomes, making me want to replay the game again and again.”
    • “With various character builds and storylines to explore, the replayability is off the charts!”
  • humor1 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, noting the inclusion of a handful of funny achievements that add a lighthearted touch to the overall experience.

    • “The game features a handful of funny achievements that had me laughing out loud.”
    • “The humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making every moment enjoyable.”
    • “I love how the dialogue is filled with witty one-liners that keep the mood light.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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