Long before Bethesda took the helm of the series and Walton Goggins donned the ghoul make-up for his captivating role in the adapted TV show, Fallout was known for its isometric action RPG format viewed from a bird’s-eye perspective. This classic style of wasteland exploration is the clear inspiration behind the upcoming game, Survive the Fall, as evident from the initial hours of gameplay I experienced. This post-apocalyptic survival tale builds directly on the original Fallout’s foundation, particularly in its detailed camp development system. The game's squad-based combat and scavenging mechanics offer a fresh experience, although the somewhat static storytelling slightly hinders its overall charm.
Unlike many other post-apocalyptic settings, the devastated world of Survive the Fall wasn't caused by nuclear fallout but by a catastrophic comet strike reminiscent of the event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This disaster left behind a toxic mist known as Stasis, emanating from a massive crater. Survivors must either steer clear of this deadly haze or embrace its power, which can lead to mutations at the cost of their humanity. Throughout the game, players must foster alliances with various factions across three distinct biomes, ranging from the Stasis-influenced Shroomers to the enigmatic Sighted cult.
I quickly grew fond of Survive the Fall’s squad-based mechanics as I embarked on missions assigned by numerous quest-givers. Navigating a large national park setting, players can manage a team of up to three survivors. You can manually search for resources or delegate tasks to your AI companions, enhancing efficiency and immersion. Dividing labor feels more natural than micromanaging every action, though the interface can occasionally become cluttered with button prompts when interactive elements are too close together.
Combat in Survive the Fall is also team-oriented. With ammunition for rifles and shotguns scarce in the early stages, stealth becomes crucial. Approaching enemy camps is akin to a strategic infiltration, similar to Commandos: Origins. Players can use environmental hazards like explosive barrels or strategically drop cargo pallets on unsuspecting guards. However, when stealth fails and combat ensues, the controls can feel a bit clunky with a controller. Precision targeting is challenging, often leading to reliance on melee attacks and dodging. Thankfully, the ability to pause and command squadmates to target specific enemies adds a strategic layer, reminiscent of games like Wasteland or Mutant Year Zero.
Survive the Fall - Preview Screens
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After a day of battling mutants and scavenging, Survive the Fall transitions into a base-building management phase at your camp. Researching documents found in the wild yields knowledge points, which you can invest in a comprehensive technology tree. This unlocks crafting options for various amenities like bunk beds, kitchens, water filtration systems, and even an armory. Converting resources into building materials and managing food supplies adds depth to the settlement-building experience, promising many hours of engaging gameplay as you transform your base from a desolate ruin into a thriving haven.
The game world is filled with intriguing areas to explore, from a passenger plane turned enemy fort to a farmstead teeming with Stasis-infected ghouls. While these locations are visually impressive, performance can be an issue in certain areas like the lush yet laggy Mycorrhiza swamplands. Additionally, I encountered some game-breaking bugs that forced me to restart from a save. However, with the release still a month away, there's time for Angry Bulls Studio to refine and optimize the game's performance.
While the text-based interactions with NPCs and squad members can feel a bit flat, some characters, like the humorous Blooper who refers to the Stasis smog as "fart wind," add a touch of levity. However, most dialogues primarily serve to initiate the next quest rather than deepen character relationships.
As Survive the Fall gears up for its May release on PC, it shows great potential as a survival-based action RPG. If the developers can smooth out the current rough edges in controls and performance, it could become a compelling addition to the post-apocalyptic genre, well worth the investment of your hard-earned bottlecaps.
