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It would be easy to start this piece with a now-classic phrase in the gaming world: "War never changes." Yet, when it comes to survival, it becomes impossible to remember much else, and Chornobyl Liquidators - an intimate experience that takes the player to the brutal site of the nuclear plant tragically known for its disaster - is that silent war against radiation and a lurking power in the shadows.

A desperate call, fire, and smoke. The smell is acrid, sharp, unbearable - and constant. Radioactive dust settles gently on the survival suit, coming from one of the reactors that suddenly detonated in an unpredictable way. This is the prelude to the tragedy in Chornobyl Liquidators, a production that, unlike typical S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Fallout games, transports the player to a dramatic moment right at the power plant, made famous by the television series that exposed the horrors of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and the complexity of that time.

You understand it right from the beginning. If you enjoyed House Flipper, though it's not made by the same team, the gameplay system might feel familiar. This new work, focused on the disaster from the perspective of a Liquidator - a member of a team of real-life heroes who risked their lives to prevent the catastrophe from worsening, protecting not only the entire Soviet Union but also Europe - brings a different kind of immersion.

What happened on April 26, 1986, is a fundamental part of human history. It’s the grim story of heroes who, by risking their lives, put their expertise to work to prevent further devastation. In times like these, with the world’s powers flaunting nuclear war as if it were a solution, Chornobyl Liquidators effectively shows the real risks of what that would mean. Through the eyes of a firefighter involved just minutes after the disaster, we begin a journey through the violent events of this story, caught between death and hope, between choices and a vision for the future. The hope that nuclear energy, if not used as a weapon, could truly be a sustainable power source.

AMONG THE RUINS AND THE FUTURE
Just like Paradise Lost, a narrative adventure set in a Nazi bunker, Chornobyl Liquidators uses a similar language. This is immediately noticeable as events unfold, taking the player right to the moments before the nuclear plant explosion, revealing precise and orderly writing. Now, it’s not particularly intricate or complex to understand, but what I appreciated - especially when experiencing the story - was how it interacts with the supporting characters as well as the protagonist himself, a man who finds himself facing an evil far greater than he expected.

The explosion of the nuclear plant, beyond changing the world and revealing the true damage of atomic warfare, has opened up excellent thematic elements within the narrative, told with meticulous detail. The story proceeds in a didactic manner through chapters that transport the player through various historical events, revealing subtle nuances of what was lived directly, between the light and darkness of a difficult time for the world. A world, let us remember, then constrained by Soviet Union policies and the gag of the KGB—an organization that, forced to intervene, leaves brutal marks on the protagonist.

In this sense, it’s interesting to see how the team at Live Motion Games dedicated all its efforts to offer a realistic experience. So realistic, I’d add, that it presents choices to be made and paths to undertake with the hope of filling any unexpected gaps that a simple request might create. In a journey of choices, brutal realities, and irreversible moments, Chornobyl Liquidators invites reflection.

It’s an intense and detailed story, where even a small wrong choice risks jeopardizing the very existence of the silent protagonist’s loved ones. The decision to exclude a voice, unlike in the Metro series (where Artyom's voice served as narration), was certainly bold. Personally, given the occasionally immersive nature of the work, I would have much preferred the narration to include a voice - one that could delve even deeper into the terrifying reality of what was unfolding.

CHORNOBYL LIQUIDATORS: LIKE THE TV SERIES, BUT EVEN BETTER

While the rich narrative holds strong and captivates, the game design takes it up a notch. Much like House Flipper, capturing the depth of the franchise's second official chapter, Chornobyl Liquidators entertains through a simulation-based gameplay structure. It’s never disorienting, precise, and engaging, moving through the experience with a focus on varied methods to overcome obstacles.

In several situations, the silent protagonist can extinguish a fire with water, then deal with removing radioactive traces and marking danger zones with flags. This approach is typical of many works of this kind, but Chornobyl Liquidators has the exceptional ability to keep standards high without indulging in frivolities. Like Paradise Lost, a work that leans heavily on storytelling rather than pushing the player to the edge, the Liquidator's journey is filled with hair-raising moments.

Sometimes, it may be challenging to understand how to proceed, which is why it can be helpful to backtrack and reconsider the surroundings, re-evaluating recent actions. It’s a classic yet effective game design, progressing at a pace that allows for thorough exploration. And this is the charm: though it introduces no innovations, every essential system is based on the environments explored.

An important point to note, however, is the lack of compelling level design. Yet, the game makes up for this with high-quality simulation actions. The protagonist can use a hose to clear debris, move obstacles with a shovel, and carefully advance through the experience by using medical treatments to protect against radiation and wearing a mask to avoid inhaling it. Everything is centered and rewarding, not superficial but real. REALISTIC. And I emphasize this word in uppercase to highlight its importance in the gameplay structure.

A TECHNICAL SIDE THAT LIMP ALONG?

Now, let’s be honest: there's never been a game like this in the industry. Live Motion Games has brought a revolutionary approach, focusing on a narrative and gameplay-driven experience, demonstrating considerable talent. Despite this, the technical side doesn’t fully meet expectations, partly due to graphics that aren’t particularly impressive.

However, the atmosphere is well-represented. The team is still young and will certainly improve in the future with better-defined experiences. It’s too early, then, to form a more generous opinion. This doesn’t take away from the excellent work done, as shown by the rating just below. It's a small shortcoming for a game that, for over five hours, truly delivers an emotional experience. The emotions of Chernobyl.

In Short: Chornobyl Liquidators offers a moving and intimate story, with gameplay rooted in realism. It entertains and engages for the full five hours it takes to reach the end credits, strengthened by brilliant writing and memorable dialogues that transport players to a brutal reality. It may deeply move those who, captivated by the TV series, found their hearts left with the story of the world’s most tragic nuclear plant. The technical and aesthetic execution is less polished, but in my view, its limitations are well compensated by its strengths.

The Games Machine

https://www.thegamesmachine.it/chornobyl-liquidators/chornobyl-liquidators-recensione/

Chornobyl Liquidators – Review

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