Before Bethesda's involvement and Walton Goggins' iconic performance as a ghoul in the TV adaptation, Fallout was renowned for its isometric, bird's-eye view action RPG format. This classic style appears to be the muse for the upcoming game, Survive the Fall, based on the initial hours I experienced. This post-apocalyptic survival tale builds directly on the original Fallout's foundations, particularly through its comprehensive camp development system. The game introduces squad-based combat and scavenging, creating a fresh yet familiar experience. However, the narrative's somewhat static presentation slightly hinders its overall charm.

Unlike many post-apocalyptic scenarios driven by human error, Survive the Fall's world was devastated by a cosmic catastrophe—a comet collision that not only decimated the population but also created a toxic crater emitting a dangerous mist called Stasis. Survivors either shun this mist or harness its power, sacrificing their humanity for enhanced abilities. In the game, you lead a squad of scavengers across three distinct biomes, forming alliances with various factions, from the Stasis-absorbing Shroomers to the enigmatic Sighted cult, to ensure your group's survival and prosperity.

Engaging with Survive the Fall's quest system, I quickly appreciated its squad-based approach. Navigating a sprawling national park, players can manage up to three survivors, delegating tasks like searching for resources or chopping wood. This division of labor feels more intuitive than micromanaging every action, speeding up the exploration and looting process. Occasionally, the screen became cluttered with interactive prompts, but these instances were infrequent.

Combat in Survive the Fall is equally team-oriented. Given the scarcity of ammunition early on, I adopted a stealth strategy, reminiscent of games like Commandos: Origins. Sneaking through enemy camps, using distractions, and silently eliminating foes before having my squad dispose of the bodies was both satisfying and strategic. Environmental hazards like explosive barrels and precarious cargo pallets added depth to encounters. However, when stealth failed and firefights ensued, the combat felt a bit cumbersome with a controller, though the ability to pause and direct my squad helped manage the chaos effectively.

Survive the Fall - Preview Screens

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After exploring the dangerous wilderness, Survive the Fall transitions into a base-building simulation at your camp. Here, you can research documents to gain knowledge points, which unlock various technologies in an expansive tech tree. From bunk beds and kitchens to water filtration systems and armories, the possibilities are vast. Crafting resources into useful items and constructing defenses against raiders adds layers of strategy and depth, promising hours of engaging gameplay in the full release.

Venturing beyond my base, I discovered a variety of intriguing locations, from a repurposed crashed plane to a ghoul-infested farmstead. Each area was uniquely detailed, although some, like the Mycorrhiza swamplands, suffered from performance issues and occasional bugs that required reloading saves. These technical hiccups notwithstanding, the diverse environments were a highlight of my experience.

Interactions with NPCs and my squad are currently text-based, lacking the depth that voice acting could provide. While some characters, like the amusing Blooper with his "fart wind" quips, added humor, many conversations felt like mere preludes to the next quest rather than opportunities to build meaningful connections.

With its release on PC scheduled for May, Survive the Fall holds significant potential as a survival-based action RPG. If the developers at Angry Bulls Studio can smooth out the control and performance issues, this game could be a worthy addition to the genre, promising an engaging experience for fans of post-apocalyptic adventures.