Chernobyl: Origins

Genre: Graphic Adventure

Players: 1

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Review:

Chernobyl: Origins is a Graphic Adventure released on PC and Nintendo Switch in 2023. This game puts players in the role of a scientist trapped within the titular power plant when it suffered its infamous nuclear meltdown in 1986. Players will have to figure out how to escape safely in a compromised power plant not only filled with hazards, but also scientists driven insane and hostile mutants.

That last bit makes it clear that this game is not going for an accurate historical look at the event, which makes it odd that this game spends so long setting up the historical details of the Chernobyl meltdown. It’s an odd choice that makes it harder to take this game seriously.

The presentation here is mostly pretty good. Characters and backgrounds are depicted via static hand-drawn 2D art, backed by a somber, subdued soundtrack, which all works well for the dark tone of the game.

The issue here is that this game not only has obtuse puzzle design, but it has no compunctions about killing you, even if you had no indication you were making a mistake – simply walking into a room can, without warning, lead to your death, which gets even more frustrating when the game shunts you back to the very beginning and you have to do everything all over again.

In the end, I feel like Chernobyl: Origins could have been something worthwhile if it abandoned its more fantastical elements and was far more even-handed with its gameplay. As-is, this is not a game I could recommend, even to Graphic Adventure fans with a fixation on this historical event.

tl;dr – Chernobyl: Origins is a Graphic Adventure that has players escaping the infamous nuclear disaster at Chernobyl while contending with threats both natural and bizarre, and this odd tonal whiplash combines with terrible game design that sadistically punishes the player even when they have no idea they’re making a mistake. The result is a game that’s far too frustrating to be worthwhile.

Grade: D-

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