Fort Solis

Fort Solis features some of the best voice acting I've heard, and an engaging story that carries you through to the tense reveal at the end.

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"Fort Solis" is a single-player horror simulation game boasting phenomenal visuals and an exceptional atmosphere, as players uncover the mystery behind a remote mining base through the emotional performances of Roger Clark, Troy Baker, and Julia Brown. However, the experience is marred by numerous bugs and grinding segments, while also incorporating unexpected moments of humor throughout the gripping narrative. The game encourages players to survive the night and escape in the morning, with immersive storytelling at its core.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 843 reviews

story294 positive mentions

optimization36 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and atmosphere that effectively create a sense of immersion.
Excellent voice acting and character performances, particularly from Roger Clark and Troy Baker.
Engaging story that unfolds through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and video recordings.

Extremely slow walking speed that detracts from the sense of urgency in the narrative.
Limited gameplay mechanics, primarily consisting of walking and quick-time events with little impact on the story.
The ending is vague and unsatisfying, leaving many plot points unresolved.

story
820 mentions
36 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The story of "Fort Solis" has garnered mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its intriguing premise and atmospheric setting, but criticizing its execution and pacing. While some found the narrative engaging and well-acted, others felt it lacked depth, coherence, and a satisfying conclusion, often relying heavily on audio logs and environmental storytelling. Overall, the game is seen as a visually stunning, story-driven experience that may appeal to fans of slow-paced narratives, but it leaves many wanting more in terms of plot development and gameplay engagement.
- “What an immersive story this game was.”
- “The story unfolds with audio recordings, videos of former crew members, notepads, and of course environmental storytelling, just as well as dialogues.”
- “The story is engaging, though the gameplay leans heavily on exploration and light puzzles rather than action.”
- “All the gameplay issues would fade away in my mind if the game had been able to produce a sense of emotional connection to the characters and the story, but it did not, and coupled with a fairly tepid story concept and an emotionally deflating ending, this one goes into the bin.”
- “The story is predictable and rather dumb but it is nicely revealed to you.”
- “The game is short but any longer would have detracted from the story.”
graphics
313 mentions
69 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Fort Solis" are widely praised for their stunning detail and atmospheric design, showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. Many players highlight the impressive visuals, character models, and immersive environments, although some report performance issues and graphical glitches that can detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics are a standout feature, they are often seen as overshadowing the game's lackluster gameplay and storytelling.
- “The graphics are stunning, with breathtaking visuals that truly bring the desolate Martian environment to life.”
- “Graphically, the game is a marvel with detailed environments that beautifully capture the eerie desolation of Mars.”
- “The visuals are absolutely beautiful, and despite having some crashes when I first started playing it, I updated to the latest NVIDIA driver and added a -dx11 switch to the startup parameters.”
- “And I'm getting under 60 fps (at times) on low graphics, with DLSS set to 'performance'; it's not playable for me, the game is not running smoothly.”
- “Performance-wise, the graphics and optimization are what you can expect from a UE5 tech demo showcase.”
- “The graphics performance did leave something to be desired, but wasn't game-breaking to me.”
atmosphere
195 mentions
67 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Fort Solis" is widely praised for its immersive and meticulously crafted environment, enhanced by stunning graphics and exceptional voice acting. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a tense, eerie ambiance reminiscent of classic sci-fi horror, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven walking simulators. While some note that the slow pacing may not appeal to everyone, many appreciate how it allows for deeper engagement with the story and setting.
- “The atmosphere is carefully crafted with exceptional video and audio logs that gradually pull you deeper into the mystery, all supported by top-tier motion capture from real actors.”
- “The atmosphere is fantastic, the voice acting is superb, the graphics are amazing from the lighting, the detail and even the way the character's eyes dart around when they're in the elevators - there's a lot to appreciate.”
- “Fort Solis absolutely nails the suspense thriller atmosphere with a captivating narrative!”
- “Half of the game, the atmosphere gets broken because of the chit-chat between Jessica and the main character and the jokes that don't click with the mood or what is happening in the story.”
- “The continuous joyful banter of the two characters also distracts from the tension and ruins the atmosphere most of the time.”
- “In spite of the atmosphere, there is no real tension that the player feels.”
gameplay
179 mentions
13 % positive mentions
74 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Fort Solis" is primarily characterized as a walking simulator with minimal interactive mechanics, focusing heavily on exploration and narrative rather than traditional gameplay elements. Players have noted the clunky mechanics, frustrating quick-time events, and a lack of meaningful gameplay variety, leading to a generally slow and linear experience that may not satisfy those seeking more engaging gameplay. While the graphics and atmosphere are praised, many reviewers suggest that the game feels more like an interactive movie than a fully-fledged game, making it better suited for those who prioritize story over gameplay.
- “The gameplay is very much a walking simulator/interactive movie, which I personally don't mind (though it can be a bit clunky).”
- “The gameplay here is mostly walking.”
- “Gameplay primarily is driven by exploration, in-game lore, and quick time/action scenes using keys/buttons.”
- “Overall, I didn’t like the mechanics in FS; they felt fairly basic, flat, and uninspired even for a walking simulator.”
- “There is effectively zero gameplay, aside from a few quicktime events (most of which you can fail and it doesn't matter anyway); you just walk around reading things or watching/listening to video/audio logs.”
- “The gameplay isn't much to talk about either, mostly just a tense walking simulator (no running either, by the way) with solving a few minor puzzles and a heavy reliance on usually unprompted QTEs, which aside from being annoying if you're trying to focus on the action, seem to have very little influence on the story.”
optimization
153 mentions
20 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
24 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering, frame rate drops, and visual artifacts, even on high-end hardware. While some users reported stable performance at 60 fps, others found the game unplayable due to frequent lag and crashes, indicating a need for further optimization. Overall, the game's impressive graphics and voice acting are overshadowed by its inconsistent performance, leading to a general consensus that it requires substantial improvements.
- “Performance-wise, the graphics and optimization are what you can expect from a UE5 tech demo showcase.”
- “Thanks to my G-Sync compatible display, the framerate fluctuation was mostly not noticeable, and it's also not the type of game that really needs super consistent performance to play well.”
- “The game has amazing acting performances and is more of a cinematic experience that requires patience and a willingness to take the time to enjoy it for what it is and take in the environment with the high-quality graphics.”
- “Since this is one of the first bigger UE5 titles, you will absolutely encounter stuttering here and there.”
- “I have an RTX 4090 16GB but still, this game is unoptimized (laggy).”
- “The game needs more optimization than it has now, which unfortunately seems to be the norm these days.”
music
43 mentions
42 % positive mentions
51 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its atmospheric and haunting qualities that enhance immersion and tension, while others found it forgettable or minimal. Many noted that the sound effects and voice acting were strong, often overshadowing the music itself. Overall, the soundtrack contributes positively to the game's ambiance, though it may not stand out prominently in players' memories.
- “The audio design in Fort Solis was another highlight, with a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack that heightened the sense of tension and isolation.”
- “The music, voice acting, sound effects, and graphics were all excellent.”
- “This presents a challenge: on one hand, the game boasts one of the most captivating ambiances I've encountered in recent years, seamlessly melding visual splendor with an enchanting soundscape and soundtrack.”
- “The sound effects are good enough to carry this category, because I didn’t even notice any music.”
- “There isn't much in the way of music and that's fine.”
- “There is some music, but it is very rare.”
replayability
16 mentions
19 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has been criticized for its lack of replayability, with many reviewers noting that once the story is completed, there is little incentive to play again. While some players may find value in collecting achievements and exploring for collectibles, the consensus is that the game offers minimal replay value due to its short length and repetitive nature.
- “Top notch dialogue and a killer story make for a great time, albeit a little short on replay value.”
- “They can offer some replay value if you want completion.”
- “There could be some replay value if you intend to find all collectables, audio and video logs.”
- “No replay value, seen it once seen it all.”
- “There's virtually no replay value and the game is short, about 4-5 hours depending on how thoroughly you explore the station.”
- “Cons: underwhelming story, mild stuttering, can't reset key binds, extremely short, 0 replayability.”
emotional
14 mentions
86 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate the strong emotional core and suspenseful atmosphere that fosters a connection with characters, others find the storytelling lacking, resulting in a failure to evoke genuine emotional investment. Despite moments of raw emotion and a well-crafted atmosphere, many reviewers feel that the character development is insufficient, leading to a tepid overall emotional experience. Ultimately, the game's ability to resonate emotionally varies significantly among players, with some finding it a gripping adventure and others deeming it emotionally flat.
- “But the twist they hit me with back to back near the end for the fates of the characters had me on an emotional joyride.”
- “In conclusion, despite some areas that could use polishing, Fort Solis is a must-play for those who appreciate a story-rich game with a strong emotional core and suspenseful atmosphere.”
- “As the game progresses you can't help but bond with them, with an emotional connection slowly building with Jack as he searches through the dark corridors and rooms carrying out his investigation.”
- “All the nice graphics in the world don't make up for an extremely boring story, especially in what amounts to an interactive sci-fi movie.”
- “All around the web, you will encounter people saying Fort Solis is a boring storyteller without any gameplay or fun.”
humor
14 mentions
93 % positive mentions
-14 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its blend of hilarious character interactions and witty dialogue, often providing comic relief amidst serious situations. While some players find the humor to be a highlight, others feel it can occasionally disrupt the narrative flow, with moments of random banter that seem out of place. Overall, the game successfully incorporates humor, enhancing the experience without overshadowing its primary themes.
- “But really, I find it hilarious more than anything.”
- “Stunning visuals and voice acting, good humor between characters.”
- “This game has action, suspense, drama, and a mystery to solve, with a touch of humor.”
- “The humor falls flat and often breaks the immersion.”
- “The jokes are not funny and disrupt the overall experience.”
- “The attempts at humor feel forced and detract from the gameplay.”
stability
13 mentions
15 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
85 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent stutters, freezes, and various graphical glitches, particularly in low-light conditions. While some users experienced minimal issues, others faced significant performance problems, including crashes and unresponsive gameplay, leading to a generally unoptimized experience. Overall, the game's stability appears to detract from the enjoyment, with many players expressing disappointment in its performance.
- “Running an M1 Max MacBook Pro - runs great on medium to high settings with Metal FX turned on.”
- “The game seemed pretty bug-free to me.”
- “I can run Death Stranding fine, but this game stutters and freezes often.”
- “4 hours of gameplay, multiple frame rate and crash issues as well as buggy quick time events, and to top it all off, I must've read nearly all the logs and video recordings and I still have no idea what the game is about.”
- “However, even on the lowest settings, you will still experience freezes and high CPU utilization.”
grinding
11 mentions
9 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, primarily due to slow walking speeds and a lack of engaging events or activities. While some improvements, like the ability to hold shift for faster movement, help alleviate the monotony, many still feel that the overall pacing is deliberately slow, making exploration feel like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “There are no major events throughout the game, and you are just forced to walk along a long path, which is tedious from the very beginning of the game.”
- “It makes the whole game agonizingly tedious to play.”
- “And, the cynic in me feels like a lot of the choices that make it a tedious experience are done solely to slow the pace of the game down, because if you moved at a normal game pace, or had even the slightest ability to walk quickly, the game would be done in an hour.”
character development
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Reviewers express a desire for improved storytelling and character development in future games, suggesting a need for a more cohesive tone that balances humor with a deeper, more atmospheric narrative.
- “The character development is impressive, blending humor with a dark atmosphere.”
- “I hope in their future games that they invest more in storytelling and character development.”
- “The game struggles to find a balance between a jokey casual tone and the horrific atmosphere, which affects character development.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The monetization of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, even at its current price point, suggesting that players feel the pricing strategy is exploitative despite the game's overall appeal.
- “Another cash grab even at this price point.”