Title: S.W.A.N. Chernobyl Unexplored
Developer: Volframe
Publishers: Art Games Studios
Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 (reviewed on), PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: August 31, 2022
There is something inherently creepy about Chernobyl and Pripyat. You don’t even have to know the story before walking into the evacuated and abandoned town to feel just how eerie it is. When you add in the devastating story that goes along with it, anyone can see why there are so many stories, movies and games that use it to create terror. Just seeing the title, S.W.A.N: Chernobyl Unexplored, you automatically have high hopes for it and maybe the hopes are just a tad bit too high.
S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored follows a team that gets sent into the evacuated city. There is an undisclosed bunker there and your team has disappeared. Inside the walls is experimental technology, radiation and dark unknown energies. This game starts out so strong. The subject matter alone sends players in with reservations and anticipation. The dark hallways and lurking shadows create such a mood that you don’t want to turn a corner.
Unfortunately, that solid eeriness is ruined every time you have to step into this dimensional wormhole. From the first time you do it, it turns into a tutorial and each time you have to play the same space, it never gets out of that feeling. Pick up this thing, shoot at that thing, pick up this other thing and then shoot at that other thing. Rinse and repeat. It gets old really fast and completely takes you out of the horror mood you were in searching the hallways of the bunker.
Indie horror can be incredible and Tormented Souls is one of the best examples of that. You don’t need AAA graphics and all the money in the world to create something incredible and S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored had every opportunity to be that. If they had just stuck to the “exploring part” with some radiation checking, shadows, monsters and the like, it would have been a big recommend from me. Unfortunately, the addition of the extra dimensions with the squares that drop out from under you making you completely start over completely ruined the experience.
You can play S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Explored now and if you can look past the moments that take you out, what you are left with is a scary game with a decent story.
S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored (PS5) Score: 6/10
S.W.A.N.: Chernobyl Unexplored had so much potential to be one of the creepier games to play this spooky season, but it just bites off more than it can chew and takes the player out of the environment too much, ruining the effect.
A copy of this game was provided to App Trigger for the purpose of this review. All scores are ranked out of 10, with .5 increments. Click here to learn more about our Review Policy.