It might be the greatest SurvCraft game I have ever played. The level of detail, the fun little elements in the expected systems, how immersive it all feels. It's a killer spiritual cousin to Half-Life 1 but that almost feels like it limits this game; Abiotic Factor pays homage to its roots while growing far beyond them to be something unique entirely. Even the art style is delightful; the texture work is -immaculate- and clearly done with a level of detail that shows the decision to avoid realistic visuals was intentional, not a limitation.
Some specific highlights based on my personal perception:
- The game is scary, but not Amnesia-scary or designed around that. The situation is frightening and certain enemies can really get to you, but there's a solution for all of them (and the most 'fear-inducing enemies' are either limited to a specific area or actually not dangerous if you keep your senses peeled.) I straight up cannot play Amnesia, Subnautica, Silent Hill or any of those and nearly died watching the bottom-right corner of Stephen King's IT (the newer one.) I'm still able to play this game, although the Hydroplant did test me.
- The progression system, the level design (including backtracking) is masterfully done. Like, think of a game you've played where those two qualities are the best you've seen and these guys are in the ballpark. There is such breadth -and- depth to the crafting system, and it never feels cluttered or redundant. In my group we currently have a heavy melee warrior type, me as the scraplord scout, and someone else as a ranged hunter-killer type. We feel distinct, there's overlap but only as it would make sense and there's still plenty we didn't craft since we had to prioritize, meaning future playthroughs will still have new elements to experience.
- The Long Jump Module. For HL1/Black Mesa veterans it's exactly what it sounds like; for everyone else it's a horizontal jetpack that when coupled with a certain trinket is like being able to fly but even more fun. Very easy to throw yourself to your death, but just stellar when you use it right.
- The poop dimension. Poop soup. Portable toilets. Portal toilets. Alien poop. Poop meters. Poop-inducing beverages. One bad serving of soup away from you and your pals re-enacting the Family Guy vomit scene. It's childish toilet humor and it's glorious (and, for those who don't care for such things is completely ignorable.)
Oh and the pet system is ****ing incredible now. I will be sad when I finally finish this first playthrough but so happy to see what they add to the game next (or what they make next in general, these devs are aces)
