Chernobylite 2 is a passion project built on a decade of firsthand experience exploring Chornobyl. Fascinated by the Exclusion Zone, the developers have visited it extensively, worked on documentaries and indie projects, and wanted to create something truly different. The game marks the evolution of that interest into a fully-fledged role-playing survival experience set in the treacherous open world of the Zone.

Even in its Early Access stage, Chernobylite 2 is much more ambitious offering than its predecessor. The developers reveal that the map is now approximately 20 times larger, and the content is packed with a multitude of quests, events, and encounters that invite players to spend significantly more time exploring. The decision to allow gameplay from both first-person and third-person perspectives further broadens the appeal, a feature brought to fruition by the success of a recent Kickstarter campaign.

In the game, you assume the role of a Planewalker, a character who navigates parallel worlds in search of the high-energy material known as Chernobylite. The narrative unfolds in a post-apocalyptic setting where survival is the primary concern. Trapped in the Exclusion Zone and pursued by hostile forces and mutated creatures, every decision is fraught with risk and consequence. This journey through a meticulously recreated environment, based on real-life locations in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, aims to strike a balance between historical authenticity and creative storytelling.

Character development takes center stage in this iteration. The game offers players hundreds of ways to customize their hero, with attributes and skills that affect both combat effectiveness and conversational prowess. Whether you are drawn to a build that emphasizes brute strength or one that focuses on cunning and precision, the choices you make in crafting your character are central to your experience. A standout feature is the Planewalking mechanic, which provides the flexibility to switch between different character builds and equipment setups during gameplay. This dynamic approach encourages a strategic mindset, as adapting your loadout can be the difference between survival and defeat.

Beyond the individual experience, the game incorporates elements of team and base management. The opportunity to recruit companions, each with unique abilities and insights, adds a layer of depth to the challenges that lie ahead. Managing and upgrading a base also plays a critical role, as it serves as both a sanctuary from the harsh realities of the Zone and a hub for crafting and weapon upgrades. These elements collectively contribute to an experience that is as much about survival as it is about building and defending a stronghold in a hostile world.

Chernobylite 2 is currently in Early Access, with approximately 30 to 40 percent of the final content already in place. The developers have fine-tuned many of the game’s core mechanics through extensive playtesting and community feedback. They are committed to using this period to refine the project further, with plans for the Early Access phase to last between six and ten months. This approach suggests a willingness to adapt and evolve the game in response to player experiences, an aspect that could prove crucial for a project of this scale.

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone is available on Steam for $34.99 at a special release price. If you haven’t played the first game, you can get the Chernobylite Bundle, which offers both games for almost the same price.