If a Fable revival was always on the cards, here was a much
less likely resurrection. The sequel to 2007’s Shadow Of
Chernobyl has endured what could charitably be described as
a troubled development. First announced ten years ago, it was
subsequently cancelled, with reports – denied by GSC Game
World head Sergei Grigorovich – that the studio had closed.
Grigorovich re-announced the game in 2018, with a planned
release date of next year. Given its troubles, and the departure
of much of the original talent, we had our doubts that we’d
see it any time soon. And yet our scepticism seemed to have
been unfounded, with a trailer apparently showing in-gamefootage of Pripyat’s ferris wheel, and a shot of the first game’s
Rookie Village. Given the CG teases around it, we could
understand why Microsoft saved it a spot in its showcase.
Alas, the studio subsequently tweeted an FAQ confirming
that this was a target render. “The trailer demonstrates the
level of graphics and atmosphere we are aiming to achieve on
release,” it read. You’ll forgive us, then, if we take promises of
“one of the biggest open worlds to date” and “an epic
branching story with multiple endings” with a pinch of salt –
not least since the studio says it’s no longer ready to disclose a
release date. File under: we’ll believe it when we actually see it.STALKER 2
Developer/publisher GSC Game World Release TBATo achieve As Dusk Falls’ singular style, new studio Interior/Night filmed real-
footage scenes, selected the shots that best conveyed each story beat and
hand-painted over them digitally. It’s not only an efficient way of working for a
small studio, but a chance to accurately convey – even augment – emotions.
It’s high-stakes stuff: two families’ paths collide when they witness a
robbery gone wrong. You’ll switch between characters to see events from
differing perspectives and, as the old tune goes, your choices will have
consequences. But creative director Caroline Marchal spent a decade leading
game design on Heavy Rain and Beyond: Two Souls at Quantic Dream. David
Cage wouldn’t be a household name without talented teams propping up his
scripts all these years – we’re keen to see what this emancipated expert can do.
First things first: what a name. You don’t call your game The Gunk if you’re not
in confident mood, and Image & Form’s unbroken hot streak has earned it the
right to feel bullish about what could easily be a lost sci-fi horror classic. In fact,
it’s a delightful-looking thirdperson action adventure, in which a pair of space
scavengers stumble upon a resource-rich planet full of alien flora and fauna –
and a parasitic goop which, handily, can be sucked up by a vacuum in our
protagonist’s chunky power glove. While yomping through caves, you’ll be able
to remove gunky obstructions to reveal new routes and exits, and it seems you
can also remove its corrupting influence from towering plants, causing them to
flourish anew. As for dealing with the screeching beasts that populate the
place, well, that glove sure looks like it could pack a hefty punch.AS DUSK FALLS THE GUNK
Developer Interior/Night Publisher Xbox Game Studios
Release TBADeveloper Image & Form Games Publisher Thunderful
Release TBA