I was pretty hyped seeing the artwork and trailers for Generation Zero, a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in a version of 1980s Sweden where giant, mysterious robots have invaded and attacked the local populace.
Taking cues from a number of popular games — such as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds looting system and real-world weapons; the four-player, co-operative multiplayer like in Borderlands or Left 4 Dead; and a quest system similar to Fallout 76 — Generation Zero should have been primed for success. But it still seems to be missing that "Wow!" factor.
The visual juxtaposition of two-story killing machines stalking through a picturesque, semi-rural Swedish countryside was such a draw that I really wanted this game to just go that little extra mile to make itself wonderful.
GETTING STARTED
Generation Zero can be played alone or with up to three companions. You can invite friends you know, or you can take your chances by letting random players find and join your online session.
If you do play with friends, the host needs to be whoever has advanced the least through the storyline so that progress properly updates for all players.
There's a limited but acceptable character-creation option (male or female, and a number of different archetypes such as nerd, rebel, punk, greaser and hip-hopper), and lots of clothing options and accessories that can be found in the game world to further customize your character.
PLAYING THE GAME
The weakest part of the game is the storytelling. In this regard it suffers from the same problem that plagues Fallout 76 — no nonplayer characters (NPCs) and thus no sense of urgency.
At the start of the game, you and a few friends are returning from an extended trip where you were out of contact with the world. Upon your return, you find giant robots everywhere, and everyone you know has either fled or died. As you explore and loot your neighbors' homes, you'll find notes and recordings left behind. These serve to add lore and give you missions to complete.
There is also a full character progression system, complete with skill trees in categories such as combat and survival. Killing or escaping from enemies rewards you with greater experience, and dead enemies can be robbed and looted for ammunition and other items.
Solo play can be pretty tough. Robots are everywhere and in pretty large numbers. Each kind of robot takes various techniques to bring down, for example, shooting at an iron plate until it falls off to reveal a fuel cell underneath that can then explode when shot directly.
Sometimes an enemy's weak point is behind it, which can be pretty difficult to aim at with the thing relentlessly chasing you. That's a good time to have a companion or two, so that one can shoot while the other acts as a decoy to expose vulnerabilities. There are other tools to help in combat too, such as flares and radios that can be used as distractions.
Character death is merely a minor inconvenience. Shots of adrenaline (sprinkled generously in loot containers across the map) get you back into a fight at about 20 percent health, and even if you run out you'll simply spawn back at the nearest safe house, losing neither equipment nor experience points.
The explorable, open world is well done, with farmland, islands, rivers, forests, and more, all quite beautifully rendered; and there are day and weather cycles, making for some pretty sunrises and sunsets.
Traveling across the massive map could take more than a full hour -- but the interiors of homes and other buildings are pretty much a copy-paste job. After searching about 20 identical houses in a row (down to paintings on the wall and throw-pillow placements), I began to wonder if I was trapped in some nightmare version of Ikea. I thought Swedes were supposed to be good at interior design.
PARTING THOUGHTS
My ultimate conclusion is that Generation Zero still plays a bit like an early-access title and doesn't seem ready for a full release.
Had this game come out 15 years ago, it would have been trendsetting and assuredly quite popular, but it doesn't really bring much innovation of its own today.
I was also hoping for a bit more of a retro or nostalgic '80s vibe, although I did find a pair of pretty snazzy-looking purple moon boots.
The variety of enemy robots is also underwhelming, and while the combat AI is pretty good, it mostly relies on the "overwhelm with numbers" strategy.
I hope the developers are committed to updating and improving the game as time goes on, because much of it and its mechanics are pretty sound, and it would be a shame to see that go to waste.
Title: Generation Zero
Platform: Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Cost: $34.99
Rating: Teen for language and violence
Score: 6 out of 10
Generation Zero was reviewed on PS4 using a download code provided by the developer.
Style on 04/22/2019