Maroc - 3RD-STRIKE.COM - A La Une - 13/Dec 03:44

Chernobylite: Complete Edition – Review

If you’ve been with us for a while, then you’re probably already familiar with Chernobylite, as we’ve reviewed the game three times already: on PS4, PS5, and PC. You’d think there would be nothing left to say at this point. However, our review for Chernobylite: Complete Edition warrants existing because of one tiny detail: we’ll be reviewing it on the Nintendo Switch. The hybrid handheld may be only a couple of months away from retirement, but The Farm 51 is still going to push the Switch to its limits by trying to cram this fairly sizable game on the platform. Let’s head back to the exclusion zone…handheld style! Before we dive into the nitty and the gritty of Chernobylite’s jump to the Switch, perhaps a quick recap of what the game is about is in order. Chernobylite is a narrative-driven survival horror game set in Chernobyl’s exclusion zone. The non-linear story follows scientist Igor, a former employee of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Thirty years after the infamous disaster, he returns to Pripyat’s exclusion zone, in search of his fiancée Tatyana. The mystery behind her disappearance forms the haunting backbone of Chernobylite. It’s the main driving force to keep playing, although Chernobylite’s varied gameplay comes a close second. We’ll refer you to one of our previous reviews for the exact details about Chernobylite’s blend of survival, base building, and shooting. For this reviewer specifically, the Switch port provided our first hands-on experience with Chernobylite, so we can’t outright compare it with any of the previous releases of the game. However, we’ve also seen our fair share of shoddy Switch ports (looking at you, Darksiders III) and we can confirm that Chernobylite definitely doesn’t fall into that category, at least when it comes to gameplay. Granted, the port isn’t without its faults, but we were suitably impressed with how well the game performed and how intuitive its controls were. It’s an impressive port to be sure, as long as you keep your expectations in check. Loading times are on the longer side, which, while understandable, is a minor annoyance. We also would like to have seen the implementation of motion controls for shooting, as dodging attacks while strafing is something that takes some getting used to. It’s the only part of the controls that didn’t feel as intuitive as everything else, as it required pushing down the left control stick while moving. As for the port’s visuals, here is where Chernobylite drops the ball. It’s not unexpected, given the Switch’s lack of graphical power, but it’s still noteworthy. It’s clear that the dev team opted to make Chernobylite run as smoothly as possible and keep the game at a steady frame rate. The game’s draw distance is significantly reduced, and textures have been simplified. Visual details are obscured by fog, and jagged edges and clipping are fairly prevalent. Chernobylite definitely isn’t the best-looking game on the Switch by far, but this is something that can be overlooked because of how good the game’s performance is. Of course, we’re not forgetting that you’re able to play a superior version of the game on the other available platforms. However, if you’re looking to play the game on the go, the Switch port of Chernobylite is more than adequate. It warrants mentioning that the Complete Edition moniker in the title is a misnomer. This release includes the base game as well as every free bit of content that was added over the game’s lifespan. However, paid DLC is not included here and still needs to be purchased, either as separate packs or as part of the Chernobylite Premium Edition on PC. Not all of the game’s existing DLC is available on the Switch eShop, at least not at the time of writing. The irony here is that the majority of Chernobylite’s paid DLC adds just cosmetics. Because of the game’s visual downgrades, we’d argue that Switch owners aren’t missing out on much as a result. Still, with this release being called Complete Edition, and carrying a rather hefty € 30 price tag for a four-year-old game, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect every bit of Chernobylite included in a neat little package here. Conclusion As far as Switch ports go, Chernobylite is competent, but not outstanding. The expected compromises were made to get a fairly sizable and demanding game running on the aging handheld. Load times are lengthy and the visuals have taken a significant hit. Contrasting with this is just how smooth Chernobylite runs once you make it past those load times. The overall gameplay experience is excellent, and the story remains as gripping as it was back when it debuted. We wouldn’t tell you that this is the best way to experience Igor’s story, but add in the Switch’s portability factor, and you’ve got a port that is still worth a look.