Generation Zero

Sadly, though, the core mechanics of stealth, shooting and looting didn’t click with me. Yet, I’d still like to see a sequel because there’s some great potential on show in Generation Zero.

48%Game Brain Score

atmosphere, graphics

story, gameplay

Critic Score 48%Based on 22 reviews

Platforms

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About

Generation Zero is a multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by Avalanche Studios and was released on March 26, 2019. It received neutral reviews from critics.

Generation Zero is a cooperative shooter set in 1980s Sweden, where hostile machines roam the open world after the population has vanished. Team up with up to three players to scavenge weapons, strategize with stealth and tactics, and uncover the mystery behind the invaders. Survival depends on combining skills, equipment, and teamwork to outsmart deadly enemies.

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atmosphere6 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Engaging combat that feels unscripted and encourages strategic gameplay.
Beautiful visuals and a strong atmosphere that effectively capture the 1980s setting.
Fun co-op experience that enhances gameplay, especially when played with a group.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and technical issues that hinder the experience.
The world feels large and empty, with a lack of meaningful quests and purpose.
Playing solo can be tedious and frustrating due to unbalanced difficulty and lack of scaling.

story
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
64%
27%
The story in Generation Zero is criticized for being sparse and lacking depth, with quests that feel aimless and repetitive, leading to a sense of purposeless exploration. Players find the world to be large yet sterile, filled with technical issues and bugs that detract from the overall experience, resulting in a narrative that fails to engage or connect with the player. Overall, the potential for a compelling story is overshadowed by bland quests and a frustrating gameplay experience.
- “Too little storytelling; the multiplayer integration is not great.”
- “Generation Zero is a tragic story of mislaid potential and promise.”
- “[empty world, no purpose or drive, sparse story]”
- “Overall, Generation Zero's incredible atmosphere, mostly beautiful visuals, and great soundtrack feel wasted alongside countless technical issues, horrendous pacing, unbalanced combat, and an almost nonexistent story.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is frequently praised for its engaging visuals, immersive 80's setting, and strong soundtrack, creating a captivating experience. However, this positive ambiance is often overshadowed by technical issues, a lack of enemy variety, and pacing problems, which detract from the overall enjoyment. While the atmosphere is a highlight, it struggles to shine due to these gameplay shortcomings.
- “Engaging combat enhanced by the fact that nothing is truly scripted, atmospheric game where everything suits the 80's setting, fun to play co-op, preferably as a group of at least three.”
- “Great atmosphere, robots are awesome, has moments of genuine fun.”
- “Very atmospheric, gorgeous at times, synth soundtrack.”
- “Despite the surprisingly strong atmosphere, gameplay annoyances and serious technical issues prevent it from having a chance to survive.”
- “The atmosphere is overshadowed by repetitive environments and a lack of engaging sound design.”
- “While the game attempts to create a unique atmosphere, it ultimately falls flat due to uninspired visuals and poor execution.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The gameplay is criticized for its poor pacing and repetitive elements, with long stretches of running through empty areas and gunfights that become tedious. While the basic mechanics and large map are appreciated, technical issues and gameplay annoyances detract from the overall experience, despite the strong atmosphere and the introduction of skill points.
- “The basic mechanics work well, and the large map offers plenty of opportunities for exploration. There are also lots of cosmetic items to dress the character in.”
- “Stretched thin, its poorly paced gameplay loop consists of lengthy stretches of running through empty locations and gunfights that swiftly turn from intense to tedious.”
- “Despite the surprisingly strong atmosphere, gameplay annoyances and serious technical issues prevent it from having a chance to survive.”
- “The introduction of skill points into the mix, even if well-intended, turns the gameplay into something that’s not.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics in the game are praised for their beauty and ability to create an incredible atmosphere, enhancing the unique setting and enjoyable combat. However, some reviews note that these visuals are somewhat overshadowed by technical issues and pacing problems. Overall, while the graphics contribute positively to the experience, they are not without their flaws.
- “Beautiful visuals, enjoyable combat, unique setting.”
- “Overall, Generation Zero's incredible atmosphere, mostly beautiful visuals, and great soundtrack feel wasted alongside countless technical issues, horrendous pacing, unbalanced combat, and an almost nonexistent story.”
- “Incredible game atmosphere, strategic combat, beautiful graphics.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in Generation Zero is praised for its atmospheric and synth-driven soundtrack that effectively evokes a nostalgic 1980s vibe, enhancing the game's overall aesthetic. However, some players feel that the impressive audio experience is overshadowed by various technical issues and gameplay shortcomings.
- “[very atmospheric, gorgeous at times, synth soundtrack]”
- “[fun combat that is a true sandbox and isn't scripted, really feels like the 1980s with the clothes and music, best when played co-op, beautiful game as long as you don't look at your hands]”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Generation Zero is criticized for its instability, being described as buggy and poorly designed, which detracts from the overall experience of its unique open-world co-op shooter environment.
- “Generation Zero is a buggy and poorly designed open-world co-op shooter that tragically squanders its distinctive setting.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
- “I experienced constant frame drops and glitches that ruined the immersion.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and boring, particularly when playing solo, due to a lack of scaling, numerous bugs, and an expansive but empty open world. The gameplay loop is criticized for its poor pacing, with long stretches of running and repetitive gunfights that quickly lose their intensity.
- “Gets boring and tedious very quickly when played alone, primarily due to the lack of scaling within the game, an incredible amount of bugs, ranging from minor to game-breaking. The open world is so large and empty that it feels sterile, a feeling only enhanced by quests simply popping up with no real payoff.”
- “Stretched thin, its poorly paced gameplay loop consists of lengthy stretches of running through empty locations and gunfights that swiftly turn from intense to tedious.”