What should Bethesda learn from the growing and diverse range of sandbox survival playgrounds that precede its latest offering?
ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT SURVIVAL GAMES IS THAT THEY TAP INTO THE CORE APPEAL OF PLAYING A VIDEOGAME IN THE FIRST PLACE; TESTING YOURSELF AGAINST THE SYSTEMS THAT A DEVELOPER HAS CREATED TO CHALLENGE YOU. Today that test is against thirst, hunger and fatigue, random encounters with enemy AI or the threat of other human opponents in a sparse open world setting, when previously the test would have been being able to leap from one block to another as fast as possible while avoiding a pursuing ghost. The value is ultimately the same even if the technology now is far more evolved and immersive in nature.
And so, in some respects, the rise of the survival game genre and its copious examples of the form in recent years should come as little surprise. It’s the very epitome of the stripped, back to basics approach to game design that so many feel an affinity with. And while Bethesda’s Fallout titles have tended to be much more involved and complex beasts, it also makes a lot of sense that this franchise would look to tap into that core appeal a little more and test itself in a new playground that can appeal to a different kind of gamer than its RPG fare has reached thus far.
For starters, Bethesda’s foray into the survival experience, Fallout 76, comes pre-packaged with one of the most important things a good survival requires; an interesting world. “I think an interesting universe is as important as a good gameplay loop,” 11 Bit Studios partnerships manager Pawel Miechowski tells us. “It makes things believable for the player even if we’re talking about fantasy worlds.” 11 Bit’s recent survival offering, Frostpunk, was a little different from most since it brought together elements of survival with city management. However, what it shares with the wider Fallout universe is a post-apocalyptic world setting that pushes humanity to the edge.
This story is from the Issue 205 edition of Games TM.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 205 edition of Games TM.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The God Father
Sony Santa Monica studio’s creative director Cory Barlog discusses the challenges, hurdles, naysayers and triumphs of his attempt to modernise God Of War as we go handson with the nearfinished action epic.
A Plague Tale: Innocence Is Not A Game For The Musophobic
An emotional adventure through a world wrought with decay… and rats.
In Other Waters Is A Surreal Exploration Of The Unknown
HANDS-ON WITH A MUST-PLAY INDEPENDENT TITLE
Taking Fight
We sit down with Bioware'sJon Warner to dive into anthem. The studious attempt to tell a different type of story.
Everything Old Is New Again In Resident Evil 2
Hands-on with Capcoms stunning reimagining of a survival horror classic.
Battlefield V Is Well Worth Your Time And Attention
Hands-On Ahead Of The Delay.
Halo Infinite
MASTER CHIEF HEADS BACK TO HIS ROOTS
Hitman 2
THINK DEADLY; MOVE QUICKLY
Death Stranding
THE NEXT STEP IN A NEVER-ENDING JOURNEY
Forza Horizon 4
THE GREEN, GREEN GRASS OF HOME