Generation Zero

77%
Game Brain Score Based on 16,591 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Generation Zero Game Cover
Menacing robots, a gorgeous world, and an intriguing premise, but ultimately too minimalist for its own good.
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In Generation Zero, players explore an open world set in 1980's Sweden, battling hostile machines with a variety of weapons and explosives. The game features a dynamic day-night cycle and weather system, adding realism to the immersive environment. Cooperative multiplayer allows up to four players to team up and strategize in taking down enemies for greater rewards.

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Reviews

77%
Audience ScoreBased on 16,591 reviews
story990 positive mentions
stability876 negative mentions
  • story4,645 mentions

    The story in "Generation Zero" is often described as weak and disjointed, primarily conveyed through environmental storytelling, audio logs, and collectible notes rather than engaging NPC interactions. Many players find the missions repetitive, typically revolving around fetch quests and combat with robots, which detracts from the overall narrative experience. While some appreciate the atmospheric setting and the potential for a compelling story, the execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a sense of emptiness and a lack of emotional investment in the plot.

    • “The story is enjoyable, with a compelling premise that keeps you engaged as you uncover the mysteries of the world.”
    • “The game excels in storytelling through environmental clues and hidden narratives scattered throughout the world.”
    • “The atmosphere, both visual and audio, is stellar, and the story is mysterious and engaging.”
    • “The story is non-existent and dialogue sucks.”
    • “The narrative is weak, so completing all the main and side missions felt like checking off a to-do list.”
    • “The story is dry, boring, and uninteresting, but thankfully you can free-play and do whatever you want.”
  • gameplay1,860 mentions

    The gameplay of "Generation Zero" has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting its repetitive nature and lack of variety in missions and enemy design. While some appreciate the cooperative mechanics and immersive atmosphere, others criticize the game for its bugs, clunky mechanics, and a lack of engaging content beyond the initial hours of play. Overall, the game offers a solid shooting experience but suffers from a monotonous gameplay loop that can lead to boredom over time.

    • “The cooperative mechanics are superbly executed, allowing players to team up with friends in a seamless and engaging experience.”
    • “The gameplay is very good, though the story is average—not amazing, but it doesn’t disappoint either.”
    • “The gameplay loop is designed well, providing a steady stream of upgrades and resources that enhance the gameplay experience without feeling overwhelming.”
    • “The gameplay is utterly broken and infuriating.”
    • “The lack of diversity in enemy design means that battles rarely require new strategies or tactics, causing the gameplay to grow stale far too quickly.”
    • “The gameplay loop revolves around repetitive missions and mind-numbing encounters with uninspired enemies, offering no depth or meaningful progression.”
  • graphics1,675 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their beauty and detail, effectively capturing the eerie landscapes of 1980s Sweden. Many players highlight the stunning visuals, atmospheric lighting, and immersive environments, although some report issues with graphical glitches and performance inconsistencies. Overall, while the graphics are often described as top-notch, there are mixed feelings about optimization and the repetitiveness of certain visual elements.

    • “The graphics and immersion are incredible.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, even with reflections turned off. The environments are interesting and fairly well done, and the graphics themselves are serviceable, though a little dated.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, and the sound effects and music create a sense of isolation and danger as you explore the world.”
    • “Then adding in the weird graphical errors like small trees you 'pick-up' for wood looking very awkward. I am sure that other players have noticed these issues and put in constructive criticism, but so far, I don't think the developers really care.”
    • “The graphics are terrible at best, no destructible environments, the robots can shoot through windows but they don't break.”
    • “The graphics are so blurry and washed out (in 2560x1440 maxed out) although I switched off motion blur and even messed with the settings.”
  • stability897 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly impact gameplay. Common issues include game-breaking crashes, missing items, and erratic AI behavior, leading many to describe it as a "buggy mess." While some players find humor in the glitches, the overall sentiment suggests that the game remains unpolished and frustrating, with many recommending waiting for further updates before purchasing.

    • “Very polished, gorgeous, and for today's standards, this game is an amazing tour-de-force of bug-free happiness!”
    • “The game runs great and looks good too considering the devs are an indie studio (I've never heard of them before).”
    • “The game is beautiful and runs great on my rig; I do have a high-end PC though... it's only crashed 2 times since I bought it, which is pretty good when this game is still in early access.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess and the developers have added more stuff into the game rather than fix basic errors or work on making the game function better.”
    • “This game is a bug-ridden inferno as of now!”
    • “The game is buggy and broken with sometimes questionable design choices and poor balance.”
  • atmosphere824 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Generation Zero" is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, effectively capturing the eerie essence of a post-apocalyptic 1980s Sweden. Players commend the stunning graphics, detailed environmental design, and exceptional sound effects that enhance the sense of isolation and tension throughout the game. While some find the atmosphere captivating and engaging, others note that the game's emptiness and repetitive elements can detract from the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere is incredible, the music, sounds, lighting, and gun sounds are all some of the best I’ve experienced recently.”
    • “The game’s setting in 1980s Sweden is beautifully realized, with stunning landscapes, atmospheric weather effects, and immersive sound design that enhance the sense of isolation and mystery.”
    • “The atmosphere created in the fictional islands of Östertörn is truly amazing.”
    • “The atmosphere is one of isolation, but not in a way that adds to the tension or immersion.”
    • “The update adding NPCs kind of ruined the atmosphere, but solid game overall.”
    • “The world, which whole atmosphere was being fed by the fact that there are ruthless war machines trying to kill you and everyone else present was now ruined, as literally right in the beginning of the game you get to see a 'survivor', which tries their best to make it look like they are afraid there is nobody else except you and them left, only to ultimately be met with a second one just a few story points later.”
  • music406 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of the 1980s with a haunting synth-heavy soundtrack reminiscent of classic films like "Terminator." While many players appreciate the nostalgic vibe and how the music enhances the overall experience, some have noted that it can become repetitive over time, particularly during combat sequences. Overall, the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's tension and ambiance, making it a standout feature for many players.

    • “The combination of immersive visuals, compelling gameplay mechanics, and a haunting soundtrack creates an experience that is both thrilling and memorable.”
    • “The atmosphere is incredible, the music, sounds, lighting, and gun sounds are all some of the best I’ve experienced recently.”
    • “The haunting, synth-heavy soundtrack sets the tone perfectly, and the eerie sounds of approaching machines send shivers down your spine.”
    • “The music is boring and repetitive.”
    • “If they added more ambient music I think I'd be a little happier with the game, but the only music you hear is the same 2 tracks when you enter combat and when you start the game.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't something to write home about, but it fit the game.”
  • grinding372 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and repetitive. Common complaints include the slow pace of resource gathering, the need to constantly manage inventory, and the lack of meaningful rewards for grinding, leading to a sense of aimlessness. However, some players appreciate the grind as part of the overall experience, enjoying the challenge of upgrading gear and the cooperative gameplay elements that can alleviate the monotony.

    • “The missions aren't too tedious or confusing to do; it always feels fun to complete them and get another, especially with friends.”
    • “Not too grindy unless you want to get the best of the best gear.”
    • “The game has so much to do and it's really not grindy unless you want to.”
    • “The game is very grindy and tedious, and if you are playing by yourself you will notice this almost instantly.”
    • “The looting mechanic is unrewarding and tedious.”
    • “The game can get very tedious from just walking to place to place a bunch of times.”
  • optimization273 mentions

    The game's optimization is a mixed bag, with some players reporting smooth performance on high settings while others experience significant stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on high-end systems. Despite some improvements from recent updates, many still find the game poorly optimized, leading to frustration and a sense of unfinished quality. Overall, while it can run well under certain conditions, the inconsistent performance and ongoing issues suggest that further optimization is necessary for a more stable experience.

    • “The game’s optimization is also good, allowing it to run on ultra graphics settings even on weaker computers with relative ease.”
    • “The first impression I had when getting into the game was how optimized it felt, and how smooth it was.”
    • “The graphics and optimization of the game is great.”
    • “The most notable problem is the frequent stuttering and performance drops, which can be jarring and disrupt the flow of the game.”
    • “Despite several updates, the engine optimization remains subpar, making the game feel unfinished and rough around the edges.”
    • “The most glaring issue is the game's terrible optimization.”
  • humor249 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its quirky bugs and physics, which often lead to hilarious moments, especially during co-op play. Players enjoy the absurdity of robot interactions, ragdoll effects, and the comedic mishaps that arise from vehicle mechanics, making for a lighthearted experience despite some gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, albeit flawed, adventure that shines when shared with friends, amplifying the humor through shared experiences.

    • “This game is awesome, the fear you have of the bigger robots at the beginning turning into blood lust is so funny.”
    • “The game feels so good to play that most of the time when I run into a bug it's funny instead of frustrating.”
    • “Never thought I'd be laughing like a madman fleeing from a group of machines on a bicycle; yet here I am.”
    • “It's simply an unfinished project, not a funny joke from the Avalanche team.”
    • “Not funny.”
    • “Insignificant or contains humorous glitches.”
  • replayability71 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players finding it high due to frequent updates and diverse gameplay, while others criticize it for being repetitive and lacking variety in missions and enemies. Many suggest that additional content, such as new maps or side missions, could significantly enhance replay value. Overall, while some enjoy the looter shooter mechanics and multiplayer aspects, others feel the game lacks long-term engagement after initial playthroughs.

    • “The best thing about the game is that the developers are active; rapid updates every now and then make the game always replayable.”
    • “Overall, an absolutely fabulous game with a lot of replay value and excellent multiplayer.”
    • “There are so many unique ways to play, each with its strengths and weaknesses, that I feel like I've still got a long way to go until this game runs out of replay value.”
    • “Currently, the replayability of this game revolves around looting the last bits of endgame gear from the high-tier enemies with unpredictable loot tables.”
    • “Granted, the developers have definitely made a lot of efforts in adding additional content to play, but the replayable content is still repetitive.”
    • “Once you've reached a certain point of beating/completing the story mode, there's really no point in replayability even with the so-called base building involved.”
  • monetization69 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it as a cash grab due to the prevalence of microtransactions and DLC that offer little value. While some acknowledge the developers' efforts to add content, the overall sentiment is that the game feels unfinished and overly reliant on paid content, detracting from the gaming experience. Players express frustration over the pricing of DLC, which they feel does not reflect the quality of the base game, leading to a negative perception of the game's monetization practices.

    • “In conclusion, 'Generation Zero' presents a captivating blend of exploration and combat marred by a questionable approach to microtransactions.”
    • “Many view these microtransactions as a desperate attempt to milk every possible penny from the player community, detracting from the game's overall appeal.”
    • “The microtransactions are abysmal; it's like you're playing a Chinese gacha MOBA.”
    • “This game feels a bit like a cash grab.”
    • “It's a shame to witness a title with such potential succumb to divisive monetization strategies.”
  • emotional38 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the story and character development lacking, leading to minimal emotional investment. However, others appreciate the heartfelt side stories and the game's atmospheric qualities, which can evoke strong feelings, particularly in a cooperative setting. Overall, while the game has potential for emotional engagement, technical issues and a sparse narrative detract from the experience for many players.

    • “Some of the side storylines can be really heartfelt and cause you to pause and reflect.”
    • “This game is beautiful, the way the lighting shines through almost made me cry.”
    • “All houses are abandoned, and the remnants scattered throughout the abandoned towns tell heartwarming tales about the lives of these people before the area was invaded.”
    • “Should be considered very early alpha; it just lacks everything. There is hardly anything to do and has a boring storyline.”
    • “I tried to finish Gen Zero, but between the boring story, frustrating bugs, and annoying combat encounters, I couldn't put any additional time into it.”
    • “Instead of a boring story told through documents and going from one place to another, you just end up fighting more robots.”
  • character development19 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its depth and potential for customization, while others criticize it for being slow and lacking meaningful impact. Many appreciate the engaging story and character designs, but some feel that the overall narrative depth and character progression are insufficient, leading to a less satisfying experience. Overall, while there are elements of interesting character development, many players express a desire for more substantial growth and rewards throughout the gameplay.

    • “I like this game because it has good gameplay and graphics, and it also has an amazing story and character development!”
    • “Great character development with extensive upgrading possibilities.”
    • “The gameplay is pretty intuitive, and the character development is decent enough to keep you interested in what build might suit your play style, adding layers of possible directions in the game.”
    • “Generation Zero falls short in terms of character development and the rewards it offers for exploration.”
    • “The game discourages you from playing itself at its own, through slow character development and slow exploration that does not give you anything to be satisfied with what you find.”
    • “This aspect alone is possibly the biggest letdown in Generation Zero for me; it could have been a core element to progression and character development but ultimately does nothing.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

41% average critic score

Buy Generation Zero

Play time

20hMedian play time
65hAverage play time
7-70hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 250 analyzed playthroughs

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