Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

About

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is a single player and multiplayer survival role playing shooter game with a science fiction theme. It was developed by The Farm 51 and was released on March 6, 2025. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Explore the mysterious open world of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone in this post-apocalyptic action RPG adventure. Craft your story by facing sinister hazards and monsters. Survive furious encounters with the help of your crafted weaponry, developed skills, gathered teammates, and supported factions

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone screenshot

Skip User Reviews

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 272 reviews

story30 positive mentions

optimization25 negative mentions

The game has a compelling story and engaging gameplay mechanics that keep players invested.
The open-world design allows for exploration and offers a variety of gameplay options, including base building and character customization.
The developers are actively listening to community feedback and making improvements, showing a commitment to enhancing the game over time.

The game suffers from significant optimization issues, leading to performance drops and stuttering, even on high-end systems.
AI-generated voice lines detract from the immersion and quality of the narrative, making some interactions feel robotic and unnatural.
Many players feel that the game strays too far from the elements that made the first Chernobylite enjoyable, leading to disappointment among fans.

story
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
71%
3%
The story of Chernobylite 2 has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, while others feel it lacks the depth and emotional attachment present in the first game. Many users express disappointment in the shift towards RPG mechanics and fetch quests, which detracts from the horror and survival elements that defined the original. Overall, while the story has potential and intriguing concepts, it currently suffers from execution issues and a lack of meaningful interactions, leaving some players feeling disconnected from the characters and plot.
- “Chernobylite works best when alongside the gameplay, you have meaningful story elements that show the characters' and other characters' personas in an interesting way, as well as how the environment changes around you.”
- “The story keeps you hooked, and your choices actually matter.”
- “The essence is still there: the world of Chernobylite has evolved, the story continues, the base management and exploration are still present.”
- “The story is completely lost on me; I don't really understand anything going on. I have no attachment to any of the characters; they feel shoehorned and not properly introduced.”
- “The team should've taken more care with their story, as it feels like we are playing as a mercenary who doesn't know anything about what's going on around him, instead of a caring father who would sacrifice everything just to protect them.”
- “The main character almost feels like he was originally meant to be a custom voiceless character before getting shoehorned in for a personal story element, but all that does is force you to play as the most generic, boring character I've seen in a game.”
optimization
107 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
67%
23%
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, low frame rates, and excessive graphics card load. While some users have noted improvements following updates, others still experience severe optimization deficiencies that detract from the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization work to reach its full potential, especially given its early access status.
- “I’m running it on an RTX 3090 and the performance has been solid.”
- “On the positive side, the open areas are a great idea, the fast travel system works well, and I really appreciate the improved optimization.”
- “However, with each update, it improved significantly: the performance became smoother, and new weapons, missions, and locations were introduced.”
- “With Chernobylite 2, however, the performance is still abysmal, even if the team doesn't agree with it.”
- “The current game has obvious deficiencies in optimization, such as frequent problems like excessive graphics card load, abnormal model positioning, suspected non-original skeletal animations, and ineffective cutscene interaction.”
- “In short, the terrible optimization impacts nearly all aspects of the game, ruining the overall experience to borderline unplayable for me personally.”
gameplay
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
68%
5%
The gameplay of Chernobylite 2 has shifted significantly from its predecessor, incorporating RPG elements and expanded combat mechanics, which some players find engaging while others feel it detracts from the original's horror and survival focus. While the game offers a rich atmosphere and exploration opportunities, many reviews highlight issues such as clunky combat, technical glitches, and a lack of polish that hinder the overall experience. Despite these challenges, there is potential for improvement as the game is still in early access, with players expressing hope for future updates to enhance gameplay and fix existing problems.
- “Chernobylite 2 looks really solid for early access – you can feel the atmosphere of the zone at every turn, the exploration is engaging, and the mechanics have great potential.”
- “The atmosphere and dark and gritty gameplay made for a nice mix of survival FPS and horror, with a base building element.”
- “Chernobylite 2: exclusion zone is an impressive sequel that expands on its predecessor with deeper RPG mechanics, intense combat, and a hauntingly immersive world.”
- “Combat is horrifically clunky; melee attack animations appear to have no actual relation to impacts or damage done (a side effect of making everything RPG statified instead of just letting a hit be a hit). Elemental combat has mechanics that require radiation to recharge, but somehow there's no apparent radiation pockets near the first boss you fight. After the megapatch with supposed engine fixes, the game is stuttering like it never was before.”
- “The game often has frame rate drops (even on the lowest graphics setting; I'm using a 3060 ti), takes forever to compile shaders, and the cutscenes... oh god... devs, I expect all of this to be a top priority. Only then can we talk about user experience, gameplay, and so on.”
- “There are just too many issues, both technical and gameplay-related, that will only serve to frustrate players.”
graphics
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
53%
8%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the visual detail and immersive atmosphere, particularly in the environment. However, significant concerns arise regarding optimization, as players report frequent frame rate drops, graphical glitches, and performance issues even on high-end systems. Overall, while the graphical quality shows potential, the current state is marred by technical deficiencies that detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are amazing and the detail put into the 'zone' in my opinion is a lot better than Stalker 2.”
- “The graphics and atmosphere are immersive and well-crafted.”
- “I kept getting distracted by the visuals of the world itself, different places I was exploring, and enemies I was finding.”
- “The current game has obvious deficiencies in optimization, such as frequent problems like excessive graphics card load, abnormal model positioning, suspected non-original skeletal animations, and ineffective cutscene interaction.”
- “Still getting graphical glitches in cut scenes, out of sync voice acting to animations, random drops in fps from 90 to 13 fps - the game has also crashed a couple of times too which didn't happen when I first got it before the patches.”
- “Optimization is really bad like in the majority of UE5 games, Stalker 2 included, while the graphical outcome is something that doesn't justify this at all.”
atmosphere
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
32%
11%
The atmosphere in Chernobylite 2 is generally praised for its immersive and engaging qualities, with many players appreciating the dark, gritty environment and the sense of exploration it offers. However, some reviewers feel it lacks the strong atmosphere of the first game, noting a mix of feelings about the open world and its execution. Overall, while the game shows potential with its atmospheric design, there are calls for more detail and depth to enhance the experience further.
- “Chernobylite 2 looks really solid for early access – you can feel the atmosphere of the zone at every turn, the exploration is engaging, and the mechanics have great potential.”
- “The dark atmosphere and awesome music pull you in right from the start.”
- “The eerie atmosphere of Chernobyl is more captivating than ever, making this a must-play for fans of survival and post-apocalyptic adventures.”
- “In general, I also feel the game is missing the strong atmosphere of the first Chernobylite.”
- “Well frankly, I can't feel any horror or special atmosphere since the game feels more like a SimCity in the exclusion zone with the bonus that you can see your world from first or third POV camera.”
- “Most voices are spoken from a computer voice - so voiceover by a mile not finished losing atmosphere.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, freezes, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. Players have experienced issues such as graphical glitches, inconsistent damage mechanics, and poorly designed combat, leading to frustration during boss fights and general play. While some users report no major performance issues, the overall consensus is that the game requires substantial patches to address its many stability problems.
- “Freezes, crashes back to Steam and just not playable anymore.”
- “Still getting graphical glitches in cut scenes, out of sync voice acting to animations, random drops in FPS from 90 to 13 FPS - the game has also crashed a couple of times too which didn't happen when I first got it before the patches.”
- “What a buggy mess.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its amusing bugs and glitches, which some players find funnier than those in other titles like Goat Simulator. Additionally, the intentionally poor AI voiceovers and mismatched animations contribute to a janky yet entertaining experience, despite the game's unfinished mechanics.
- “I met some funny bugs; even in Goat Simulator, I didn't see such bugs as here! This is a funny game with good game mechanics.”
- “The AI voiceovers are downright hilariously bad.”
- “Some of the animations don't match the gameplay, but this just makes it funny and janky.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
The music in the game is praised for its ability to create a dark atmosphere that captivates players from the beginning, reminiscent of the first game's soundtrack. However, some users noted a lack of sound cues or fanfare during gameplay, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, the soundtrack is anticipated to be a worthy purchase, similar to its predecessor.
- “The dark atmosphere and awesome music pull you in right from the start.”
- “Not sure if it's the same composer as the first game, but there is a reason I bought the OST for the first one and I will buy this one as well if it lives up to that in the end.”
- “I didn't even know I leveled up until I got back to the base because there is no sound, music, or fanfare whatsoever.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks the charm that made the first game's soundtrack memorable.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't match the game's atmosphere, making it feel disjointed and uninspired.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Character development in the game is intricately tied to the emotional journey of the player, blending hope and despair to create a compelling narrative experience. The combination of engaging story elements, well-designed characters, and immersive voice acting enhances the RPG's depth, making players feel invested in their journey through a vast world.
- “It is not the horror/scary aspects of the game, or the landscape, or the character design, etc. It is all of these things and more that make you feel like you just 'want to make it home.' That feeling hooks into the story itself, leading you along with both hope and despair in your hands, and using both to overcome the situations you find yourself in.”
- “What I've seen is a good base for an RPG with legitimate combat, character development, voice-acted NPCs, and a big world to explore.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, leaving me disengaged from their journeys.”
- “There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game, which makes their struggles feel meaningless.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the game to have excellent replayability, indicating that it offers enough variety and engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “Overall, this is a game that has great replayability.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and offers new experiences.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, noting that experience gain is slow and insufficient from creatures, with skill purchases requiring a high number of points that contribute to a frustrating leveling process.
- “The experience gain is slow, and increases by only 1000 points every time you buy a skill, which I find too tedious since the creatures don't provide enough experience.”
- “Grinding feels excessively repetitive, and the rewards don't justify the time spent.”
- “The amount of time required to level up is frustrating, making the grinding process feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express a desire for the game to focus on emotional storytelling and character attachment, rather than becoming a superficial experience akin to a "glorified Fallout." There is a clear yearning for a return to a more immersive survival narrative that fosters genuine emotional connections.
- “I just hope it returns to a survival game with a proper story and emotional attachment instead of a glorified Fallout.”
- “Wholesome whisper”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate a strong dissatisfaction with monetization practices, particularly regarding the release of low-quality games that appear to prioritize profit over quality, leading to perceptions of cash grabs. Players express a desire for more engaging experiences, suggesting that intrusive ads during gameplay would further detract from their enjoyment.
- “I could name over 20 games right now that developers have released in states that literally look like PS2 graphics, and it's sickening because we can plainly see that there was zero love put into those games and they are obviously cash grabs.”

Skip Game Offers

Buy Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

13h Median play time

19h Average play time

4-15h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 9 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

51%469reviews

INSOMNIA: The Ark

2018

Survival Role Playing Shooter

77%51.1kreviews

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

2021

Open World Role Playing Shooter

79%9.6kreviews

Chernobylite

2021

Survival Role Playing Shooter

44%1.5kreviews

Wild West Dynasty

2024

Open World Role Playing

76%333reviews

Exoplanet: First Contact

2016

Open World Role Playing

More games like Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is a survival role playing shooter game with science fiction theme.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 19 hours playing Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone was released on March 6, 2025.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone was developed by The Farm 51.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its optimization.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include INSOMNIA: The Ark, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Chernobylite, Wild West Dynasty, Exoplanet: First Contact and others.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone

Platforms

Buy Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone