Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone - Interview

GamingBolt interviewed The Farm 51's marketing manager Barbara Szymanska:

Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone Interview – RPG Mechanics, Horror, Progression, and More

The Farm 51's marketing manager Barbara Szymanska was kind enough to answer our burning questions about Chernobylite 2.

With the Early Access release of Chernobylite 2: Exclusion Zone earlier this month, we’ve been quite curious about how developer The Farm 51 will continue to work on the game. Marketing manager Barbara Szymanska was kind enough to answer some of our burning questions about various things, including the new game’s focus on RPG mechanics over its predecessor’s survival horror vibes, and even the development of the console versions down the line.

You seem to be placing a much greater emphasis on the open world action RPG aspect of the experience with Chernobylite 2 compared to its predecessor. What made the team want to pursue such an expanded scope?

The first game was always an RPG and we never attempted to create a shooter. In our vision Chernobylite 2 is an expansion of all the ideas behind Chernobylite 1 – we just gave more freedom and more ways of playing. The key aspect of the first game was to let you experience your Chornobyl adventure in any way you want, so in the second part you’re getting new tools and ways of playing. In Chernobylite 1 we did not have the resources to build a fully open world, but thanks to Unreal Engine 5, new tools and technologies as well as a great and experienced team we were able to face this challenge and create a massive open world and let you play freely in any way you want – without limits of specific missions and locations.

The original game was already noted for its non-linear choice and consequence driven storytelling. As you move forward with the more ambitious Chernobylite 2, is that another area where players can expect the game to double down on what the original did?

Non-linear storytelling and branching has always been our team’s DNA. We designed consequences to players’ choices both in Get Even and in Chernobylite so it’s natural that in Chernobylite 2 the story will be non-linear as well. The sequel will have multiple endings and a branching narrative just as complex.

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Thanks Farflame!