Biomutant emerges as a unique and colourful contender in the vast landscape of action role-playing games. This furry post-apocalyptic adventure, developed by Experiment 101 and published by THQ Nordic, has been turning heads since its announcement. With its blend of martial arts combat, mutant abilities, and a vibrant open world, Biomutant promises a fresh take on the genre. But does it deliver on its ambitious promises? In this Biomutant review, we’ll dive deep into the game’s mechanics, story, and overall experience to help you decide if this mutant-filled journey is worth your time and money.
Biomutants thrust players into a world where nature has reclaimed the Earth following an environmental disaster. You control a customizable furry protagonist, embarking on a quest to save the Tree of Life and determine the fate of this strange new world. With its unique setting, diverse combat options, and emphasis on player choice, Biomutant aims to offer a memorable gaming experience. But does it succeed in creating a cohesive and engaging adventure, or does it get lost in its ambition? Let’s explore the various aspects of the game and find out what makes Biomutant tick.
The World of Biomutants:
Stepping into Biomutant’s world is like entering a vivid, post-apocalyptic storybook. The game presents a lush, colourful, familiar and alien landscape. Here’s what makes the world of Biomutant stand out:
- Vibrant visuals: The game’s art style pops with bright colours and imaginative designs.
- Diverse biomes: Each area feels distinct, from lush forests to barren wastelands.
- Unique creatures: The world teems with mutated animals and bizarre hybrids.
- Environmental storytelling: Ruins and relics hint at the world’s past.
- Day-night cycle: The changing light adds atmosphere and affects gameplay.
The attention to detail in Biomutant’s world-building is impressive. As you explore, you’ll encounter abandoned structures overgrown with vegetation, strange machines left behind by the old civilization, and pockets of toxic waste that hint at the disaster that reshaped this world. The game encourages exploration, rewarding curious players with loot, lore, and breathtaking vistas.
One of the most striking aspects of Biomutant’s world is its scale. Despite being an open-world game, it manages to feel intimate and handcrafted. Each area has its personality, from the eerie silence of a long-abandoned city to the bustling activity of a tribal village. This variety keeps exploration fresh and exciting throughout the game.
Character Creation and Customization:
Biomutant strongly emphasizes player choice, starting with its robust character creation system. Here’s what you can expect:
- Breed selection: Choose from various animal breeds, each with unique stats.
- Genetic manipulation: Adjust your character’s attributes to suit your playstyle.
- Appearance customization: Tweak fur colour, patterns, and physical features.
- Class selection: Pick a starting class that aligns with your preferred combat style.
- Ongoing mutations: Gain new abilities and change your appearance as you play.
The depth of customization in Biomutant is impressive. Your initial choices significantly impact your starting stats and abilities, but the game allows for flexibility as you progress. You’re not locked into a single playstyle, which encourages experimentation and replayability.
You’ll have opportunities to mutate further as you explore and face the world’s challenges. These mutations can grant new abilities, like telekinesis or the power to generate mushrooms for extra height. Some mutations even change your character’s appearance, adding a layer of visual progression to your journey.
The customization extends beyond your character to your equipment as well. Biomutant features a crafting system that allows you to create and modify weapons and armour. This system adds another layer of personalization to your character, letting you tailor your gear to your specific needs and aesthetic preferences.
Combat and Gameplay:
Biomutant is an action RPG at its core, and its combat system is central to the experience. The game blends melee combat, gunplay, and special abilities to create a dynamic and engaging fighting system. Here’s what stands out:
- Fluid martial arts: Melee combat feels smooth and responsive.
- Diverse weapons: From traditional swords to bizarre DIY creations.
- Ranged options: Guns and bows add variety to combat encounters.
- Special abilities: Mutations and psionics powers spice up battles.
- Combo system: Chain attacks for increased damage and stylish finishes.
The combat in Biomutant feels fast-paced and satisfying. The game encourages you to mix and match different combat styles, seamlessly blending melee attacks with gunfire and special abilities. This versatility keeps fights fresh, even as you face similar enemy types.
One of the most interesting aspects of Biomutant’s combat is its “Super Wushu” attacks. These powerful moves can turn the tide of battle but require careful timing and resource management to use effectively. Mastering these techniques adds depth to the combat that rewards skilled players.
The game also features a unique approach to difficulty. Instead of traditional difficulty settings, Biomutant adjusts the challenge based on your gear and abilities. This system ensures that combat remains engaging throughout the game, regardless of how much you’ve levelled up or how powerful your equipment has become.
Story and Narrative:
Biomutant’s story is as unique as its setting. The game presents tribal conflict, environmental disaster, and personal growth. Here are the key elements of the narrative:
- Non-linear storytelling: Multiple paths and endings based on your choices.
- Tribal politics: Align with different factions to shape the world’s future.
- Moral decisions: Your actions influence your character’s alignment and the story.
- Narrator-driven: An omniscient narrator describes events and translates dialogue.
- Personal journey: Uncover your character’s past as you progress.
The narrative in Biomutant is ambitious, attempting to weave together personal drama, environmental themes, and large-scale conflict. Your choices throughout the game have a tangible impact on the story, affecting everything from your relationships with other characters to the ultimate fate of the world.
One of the most distinctive aspects of Biomutant’s storytelling is its use of a narrator. All dialogue in the game is delivered in gibberish, with the narrator translating and providing additional context. This approach creates a storybook-like feel that fits well with the game’s aesthetic.
However, the narrative isn’t without its flaws. The sheer amount of choice can sometimes make the story feel unfocused, and the narrator’s constant presence may be divisive for some players. Despite these issues, Biomutant’s unique approach to storytelling helps it stand out in a crowded genre.
Graphics and Sound:
Visually, Biomutant is a treat for the eyes. The game’s art direction is one of its most substantial aspects, creating a beautiful and intriguing world. Here’s what makes the audiovisual experience stand out:
- Vibrant colour palette: The world pops with bright, eye-catching hues.
- Detailed character models: Both player characters and NPCs are well-designed.
- Diverse environments: Each area has its own distinct visual identity.
- Dynamic lighting: The day-night cycle dramatically changes the game’s look.
- Atmospheric sound design: Audio cues enhance the world’s ambience.
The graphics in Biomutant strike a balance between realism and stylization. While the game doesn’t push for photorealism, its art style creates a cohesive and visually appealing world. The attention to detail in character designs, especially fur textures and animations, is awe-inspiring.
On the audio front, Biomutant features a dynamic soundtrack that adapts to your actions and the current situation. The music ranges from serene, atmospheric pieces during exploration to more intense tracks during combat. The sound design also deserves praise, with each weapon and ability having distinct and satisfying sound effects.
Performance and Technical Aspects:
When reviewing a game, it’s crucial to consider its technical performance. Biomutant generally runs well, but there are some points to note:
- Frame rate: Mostly stable, with occasional dips in busy areas.
- Loading times: Generally quick, especially on newer hardware.
- Bugs: Some minor glitches, but nothing game-breaking.
- Optimization: Runs well on a variety of systems.
- Patches: Regular updates address issues and improve performance.
Biomutant maintains a steady frame rate on most systems, ensuring smooth gameplay. However, some players have reported frame rate drops in particularly dense or effects-heavy areas. Loading times are generally quick, especially when installed on an SSD, which helps maintain the game’s pace.
Like many open-world games, Biomutant isn’t entirely free of bugs. Players have encountered minor glitches, such as floating objects or animation hiccups. However, these issues are generally not severe enough to detract significantly from the overall experience. The developers have proactively released patches to address these issues and improve performance.
Replay Value and Longevity:
Biomutant offers substantial content, with plenty of reasons to return to its world even after completing the main story. Here’s what contributes to the game’s longevity:
- Multiple endings: Your choices lead to different conclusions.
- New Game+: Start over with your gear and abilities intact.
- Side quests: Numerous optional missions to tackle.
- Collectibles: Lots of items to find throughout the world.
- Different playstyles: Try new builds and combat approaches.
The main story of Biomutant can take anywhere from 20 to 30 hours to complete, depending on how much you explore and how many side quests you tackle. However, seeing everything the game offers can easily double that playtime. The multiple endings encourage replays, as does the New Game+ mode, which allows you to experience the story again with all your gear and abilities from a previous playthrough.
The game’s emphasis on player choice also adds to its replay value. Different characters build tribal alignments, and moral decisions can significantly change your experience, making subsequent playthroughs feel fresh and exciting.
Conclusion:
Biomutant is a game that dares to be different. Its unique setting, customizable protagonist, and blend of combat styles create an experience that stands out in the crowded action RPG genre. While it may not be perfect, with occasional narrative pacing issues and minor technical hiccups, the game’s ambition and creativity are commendable.
The vibrant world of Biomutant is a joy to explore, filled with secrets to uncover and stunning vistas to admire. While not revolutionary, the combat system offers enough depth and variety to remain engaging throughout the game. The emphasis on player choice, both in character customization and story decisions, adds a layer of personalization that enhances the overall experience.
For players looking for a fresh take on the action RPG formula, Biomutant offers a colourful, mutant-filled adventure that’s well worth experiencing. Its blend of martial arts combat, gunplay, and special abilities create a dynamic gameplay experience, while its post-apocalyptic setting provides a unique backdrop for your journey.
In the end, Biomutant may not appeal to everyone, but those who connect with its quirky charm and imaginative world will find a lot to love. It’s a testament to the creativity and ambition of its developers, offering a unique experience in a genre often criticized for playing it safe.
Biomutant Score: 8/10
Pros:
- Unique and vibrant world
- Deep character customization
- Engaging combat system
- Strong emphasis on player choice
- Impressive visual design
Cons:
- The narrative can feel unfocused at times
- Some minor technical issues
- The narrator may be divisive for some players
Whether you’re a fan of action RPGs, post-apocalyptic settings, or just looking for something different, Biomutant offers an adventure worth checking out. Its furry protagonist and mutant-filled world provide a fresh perspective on familiar gaming tropes, resulting in an experience that’s as memorable as it is fun.
