DESOLATE

I'm pretty sure this game has done permanent damage to my video card and processor; even on low graphics settings it wants to use every bit of your computer's power.
Not counting the bad optimization, I really enjoyed this game. There are valid complaints about the combat being clunky and whatnot, but I didn't mind it much. The game world is really intriguing, exploration is fun, I was often on the edge of my seat waiting to see what else is out there.
Get it on sale and give it a try.

God, man. Desolate is a sort of gameplay experience that isn't exactly memorable for most, but it will always occupy a spot in my head.
This game brims with potential. Problem is, devs sort of lost interest in the really cool world they were attempting to build. For that matter, if you're playing this game for the first time cause you saw it on sale, I have a word of advice- ignore all side quests until you complete the main story, completing the side quests afterward will prove the main antagonist wrong and leave you in a better spirit.
Gameplay wise, solid. It was enjoyable to level and gain new abilities in combat. Weapon crafting is also pretty solid, you can make some absolutely SINISTER looking weapons in this game, with spikes and barbed wire in all these places it wouldn't normally be.
More words of advice:
- invest in the dodge ability. You can literally jump and dodge midair off a slope or cliff and cover an insane amount of ground.
- try to trap the electric artifact first. The movement speed comes in clutch, especially with all the terrain you have to cover in the game.
- NL incinerators are not a threat if you're smart. Literally hit them in the back twice and their fuel tank will explode, along with them.
- Batons, while lame looking, are your friend. They have the most durability and repairs, and a lot of ways to make it sting extra hard.
- DO NOT fight a grutch melee-only.

I loved watching IGP playing this game as a kid and fell in love with it ever since, now able to finally play it. I my opinion it is great, story is okay, but just as a survival horror game to play with some friends or just by yourself it is fun it isn't too hard. A little sad that it's not getting a lot of attention from the Internet and that the creators aren't working on it anymore.

Not sure who is reviewing this negatively. This game is quite good. It's also super cheap and on sale. Already 3 hours in and loving it so far. Not sure why people are complaining. Someone said it's 'hard survival'. Are you serious? You occasionally have to eat and drink. That's it. It's as easy as it gets in that regard. The enemies are not bad either and appropriately level up the more you learn, better you get and the more perks you get. Great game so far. Definitely worth $3 and honestly probably worth the $15 if not on sale.

Desolate is a bleak and atmospheric first-person survival horror experience that drops players onto the forsaken island of Granichny—an isolated stretch of land overrun by mutants, anomalies, deranged survivors, and the residual effects of unethical experiments. Developed by Nearga and published by HypeTrain Digital, the game blends open-world exploration, survival mechanics, crafting, and narrative investigation into a single experience that draws clear inspiration from titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Metro. From the moment you step onto the island as a “Volunteer” sent by the New Light conglomerate, it becomes apparent that Granichny is a place where everything has gone wrong, and it’s your job—alone or with up to three friends—to uncover what happened and survive long enough to report it.
The island itself is the game’s biggest triumph. Granichny feels abandoned yet alive, filled with derelict industrial complexes, eerie research labs, frozen forests, and ruined settlements that evoke dread at every turn. The world is built to make you feel small and vulnerable; even simple supply runs can spiral into panic when you stray too far from safety. The atmosphere is further strengthened by strong sound design: distant screams echo through the cold air, mutants stalk you through rusted corridors, and anomalies let out unsettling hums that warn of danger. This attention to ambience creates an ever-present tension, giving exploration a layered sense of threat even when nothing is actively hunting you. The island’s visuals and audio combine to deliver a tone that is consistently oppressive but compelling.
Survival systems form the backbone of the gameplay. Beyond managing health and stamina, you must contend with hunger, thirst, body temperature, injuries, and even your character’s mental state. Sanity drops when you witness disturbing events, stay in oppressive environments too long, or encounter supernatural anomalies, adding an extra layer of vulnerability that affects combat efficiency and perception. These mechanics ensure that every expedition requires preparation: stock food, craft supplies, repair gear, and study the area before venturing out. In cooperative play, these elements shine as players divide responsibilities, share resources, and rely on each other to survive encounters that feel overwhelming alone. When played solo, the systems can be harsh, but they underline the game’s commitment to making Granichny a hostile place.
Combat is one of the game’s more uneven elements. You’ll face humans, mutants, and strange experimental creatures, but the melee and ranged systems lack the precision or weight that similar survival titles manage. Attacks sometimes miss despite looking accurate, enemy blocking can feel excessive, and hit detection can be inconsistent. While the tension of fighting under pressure works thematically—combat should be desperate in a world like this—the clunky execution can cause frustration. Ranged weapons feel slightly better, but ammo scarcity and crafting requirements ensure you rarely rely on guns alone. When combat encounters work as intended, they are thrilling; when the mechanics falter, they highlight areas where Desolate’s polish falters.
Exploration and scavenging are consistent highlights. Buildings hide rare materials, side quests encourage delving deeper into dangerous territory, and secrets tucked throughout the island reward curious players with lore fragments, schematics, and resources. Crafting plays an essential role in progression: new gear, healing items, traps, cooked meals, and weapon upgrades all hinge on scavenging materials from abandoned facilities or defeated enemies. This loop—scavenge, craft, heal, upgrade, delve deeper—works especially well when shared with friends. The co-op design elevates the entire experience, making tense encounters more manageable and transforming the desolate island into an environment of shared discoveries and desperate teamwork.
Narratively, Desolate offers an intriguing premise, but its execution can feel disjointed. The overarching plot revolves around New Light’s experiments and the catastrophic consequences that followed, gradually revealed through logs, notes, environmental storytelling, and missions assigned by the base. These pieces are compelling in isolation, but the story’s pacing is uneven, and some threads never fully resolve. Players who enjoy piecing a narrative together from scattered clues will appreciate the mystery, while those seeking a tightly structured storyline may find the game’s approach too loose.
Technical performance and design inconsistencies further limit the game’s potential. Bugs, visual glitches, AI quirks, and occasional optimization issues interrupt immersion. Some areas feel richly designed, while others feel empty or repetitive. The game clearly aims high with its open-world scope, but it doesn’t always maintain consistent quality across all regions and systems.
Despite its flaws, Desolate succeeds in delivering a moody, atmospheric survival horror experience that shines brightest when played cooperatively. Granichny is a memorable setting—dangerous, mysterious, and rich with haunting detail—and the blend of crafting, exploration, and survival mechanics offers a compelling loop for players willing to embrace some rough edges. Those looking for polished combat or a tightly woven narrative may feel underwhelmed, but fans of grim open-world survival games will find a lot to appreciate in the island’s unnerving charm. Desolate stands as a flawed but fascinating dive into a world where humanity’s mistakes echo through every abandoned corridor and frozen forest.
Rating: 6/10

One of my favourite games, over 100hrs on this on first playthrough 2020, just starting second playthrough. Plenty of variety in game and lore to keep interest going.

It's not a great game, but I wouldn't say it is awful. It just needs some polishing.
Liked the visuals, the story so far was interesting, the crafting felt straightforward. I just didn't enjoy the fighting aspect. Feels a tad bit janky.