Long before Bethesda took over the Fallout series and Walton Goggins donned ghoul makeup for its captivating TV adaptation, the original Fallout games were known for their isometric, bird's-eye view action RPG style. This classic approach to wasteland exploration seems to be the inspiration behind the upcoming game, Survive the Fall, at least based on the initial hours I've experienced. This post-apocalyptic survival narrative not only draws from the original Fallout template but also expands upon it, especially through its detailed camp development system. With squad-based combat and scavenging mechanics, Survive the Fall delivers a fresh experience, though its somewhat static storytelling might not fully showcase its vibrant personality.

Unlike many other post-apocalyptic settings, the desolate world of Survive the Fall was not caused by nuclear fallout but by a catastrophic comet strike reminiscent of the event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. This disaster left behind a toxic mist known as Stasis, which survivors either avoid or harness to mutate into more powerful beings at the cost of their humanity. As you navigate through Survive the Fall, your growing squad of scavengers will need to forge alliances with various factions spread across three distinct biomes, ranging from the Stasis-absorbing Shroomers to the enigmatic cult called the Sighted.

The squad-based mechanics of Survive the Fall quickly became a highlight for me as I engaged with the game's numerous quest-givers. Navigating the expansive national park that sets the stage for the early story, you can manually search for resources or delegate tasks to your AI-controlled party members. This delegation system feels intuitive and efficient, allowing you to manage multiple tasks without needing to micromanage every action. The only minor issue was occasional clutter from overlapping button prompts in densely interactive areas, though this was not a frequent occurrence.

Combat in Survive the Fall also emphasizes teamwork. Given the scarcity of ammunition like rifle and shotgun rounds in the early game, I often opted for stealth tactics. Approaching enemy camps felt reminiscent of sneaking through levels in Commandos: Origins, using environmental distractions and stealth kills before instructing my squad to dispose of the bodies. The game offers engaging environmental interactions, from explosive barrels to strategic use of cargo pallets, enhancing the tactical depth of each encounter. However, when stealth failed and combat turned to firearms, the precision was slightly lacking with a controller, leading me to rely more on melee attacks and dodging. Thankfully, the ability to pause and direct squadmates to target specific enemies helped manage tougher fights effectively.

Survive the Fall - Preview Screens

14 Images

After days spent battling mutants and gathering resources, Survive the Fall transitions into a base-building management sim at your camp. Here, you can research documents to gain knowledge points, which you can then invest in a comprehensive technology tree. This allows you to craft a variety of items from bunk beds and kitchens to water filtration systems and an armoury. Resources like timber can be transformed into planks for building structures such as plant boxes or defensive gates, while foraged herbs and salvaged meat can be turned into meals for your expedition teams. The depth of the base-building system promises hours of engaging development, turning your camp from a heap of rubble into a thriving community.

Beyond my base, Survive the Fall offers a variety of intriguing locations to explore, from a repurposed passenger plane turned enemy fort to a farmstead overrun by Stasis-infected ghouls. Each direction I ventured in revealed unique areas with impressive detail, though some, like the Mycorrhiza swamplands, suffered from performance issues and occasional bugs. These technical hiccups, including getting stuck in menus, suggest that there is still work to be done before the game's release, which is slated for another month.

Survive the Fall also offers interaction with a range of characters, though the lack of voiced dialogue makes these encounters feel somewhat flat. While some characters, like the amusingly named Blooper who humorously refers to Stasis as "fart wind," provided moments of levity, most interactions felt more like prompts for the next mission than opportunities to build meaningful relationships with the game's factions.

As Survive the Fall gears up for its PC release this May, it holds significant promise as a survival-based action RPG. With some polishing of its controls and performance, it has the potential to be a compelling addition to the post-apocalyptic genre, well worth the investment of your hard-earned bottlecaps.