Post-apocalyptic settings in games – using Fallout, the Metro series, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. as examples

Contents:

• A Rich Toolkit
• The Different End of the World
• The Comfort of Soviet Devastation

The post-apocalyptic setting familiar to modern players arose relatively recently, despite humanity's long-standing love of predicting global catastrophes. The term "post-apocalypse" in the context of science fiction was first coined by American critic Alan Frank in SciFiNow magazine in 1978, but it only became widely used in the 1990s and 2000s. Initially, this setting was widely used in literature and film, and video game developers soon began adapting it. Post-apocalyptic worlds offer players a unique experience of survival in a devastated civilization, making them particularly appealing to fans of the genre. In fiction, the post-apocalypse is often presented in several common forms. Most often, the catastrophe occurs due to a viral epidemic, a man-made disaster, or a nuclear war. These and other scenarios can be found in video games, ranging from the iconic Fallout and Wastelands series to more modern titles such as The Last of Us, Horizon: Zero Dawn, and Days Gone. In this article, we'll look at the key setting elements that developers use when creating post-apocalyptic games and analyze how they affect the atmosphere and gameplay.

Rich

The post-apocalyptic setting, despite the assumed scenario of civilizational decline, offers developers wide scope for creativity and is versatile in application. It can be adapted for projects of various genres, allowing for the telling of vast and varied stories. A habitable world that has survived the end of the world is often found in action, strategy, role-playing, and adventure games. The Fallout series, which incorporates elements of all these genres, exemplifies this approach, demonstrating how a post-apocalyptic setting can enrich gameplay and deepen the story.

The setting of a post-apocalyptic world does not require strict narrative frameworks. While the Metro series immerses players in a dark and oppressive reality, offering corresponding gameplay, Dead Island emphasizes dynamic and intense action, leaving the story in the background. The role-playing game Wasteland, in turn, is replete with dark humor, grotesque situations, caricatures, and allusions. This diverse approach to storytelling allows each project to create a unique atmosphere and attract its own audience.

The idea of ​​an apocalypse on a tropical resort makes the setting of Dead Island particularly appealing. Isolation from the outside world is a key element in horror traditions, but there are other significant aspects as well. The tropical resort symbolizes relaxation and happiness, which heightens the shock of zombies appearing in this idyllic place. The dissonance between our expectations and the harsh reality becomes an important part of the atmosphere we create in the game. This contrast highlights the uniqueness of the setting and makes the experience even more immersive for the player.

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Game developers often use post-apocalyptic settings to create unique gaming experiences, employing a variety of tools and mechanics. When combined with the chosen genre, the end-of-the-world setting becomes a primary factor shaping the rules and laws of the game world. For example, in the survival horror genre, as seen in the Resident Evil series, zombies pose a deadly threat to the player. Meanwhile, the shooter Metro 2033 takes place in the Moscow metro, where people have taken refuge from the nuclear apocalypse. This context not only enhances the game's atmosphere but also influences gameplay, adding elements of survival and strategy, making the post-apocalypse an attractive choice for developers.

Post-apocalyptic settings often imply strict resource constraints, which is an important element of gameplay. This rule helps create an artificial value for items. For example, in the Metro series, players must constantly conserve ammunition and carefully monitor resource consumption, as ammo acts as a form of currency in this world. In Dying Light, players primarily use improvised materials and homemade weapons in close combat. The limited resources in these games not only enhance the survival atmosphere but also force players to approach every action strategically, which makes the gameplay more engaging and tense.

DayZ takes full advantage of item scarcity, forcing players to constantly take risks in search of necessary resources. The success of the renowned Left 4 Dead is largely due to its post-apocalyptic setting, immersing players in a world post-zombie apocalypse. Zombies mode is also present in the Call of Duty series, and in Rainbow Six Siege, players encountered mutants during an event. These elements add tension and excitement to the gameplay, attracting the attention of fans of the genre.

Western European Post-apocalyptic stories often explore themes of zombies, viruses, and other catastrophes. These narratives have a light and entertaining tone, as they allow society to break free from strict laws and norms, transforming familiar urban spaces into lawless zones. Here, anything is possible, including dehumanization and violence, which is especially evident in zombie stories. In the United States and Western Europe, zombies have become a symbol of people's fatigue with the rules and restrictions that suppress their instincts. These stories offer a fantasy in which violence can be legitimized—zombies are depersonalized creatures, making them legitimate targets for aggression. The post-apocalyptic genre evokes a sense of freedom from the legal and moral norms that govern human behavior. Against this backdrop, we observe how humanity is increasingly moving away from its primal nature. The more civilized we become, the more distant we become from our natural instincts. The post-apocalyptic setting offers developers a unique opportunity to create diverse worlds free from strict realities. This allows for the introduction of numerous references and allusions to historical events and ideologies into games. For example, in Metro: Last Light, players witness the conflict between communist and Nazi ideologies, creating a deep context for gameplay. In Fallout: New Vegas, players encounter a self-proclaimed Caesar leading his legions to conquer Nevada, also reflecting elements of historical power struggles. Post-apocalyptic settings not only entertain but also provoke reflection on social and political issues, making such games multilayered and fascinating to analyze. The post-apocalyptic setting offers players unique opportunities to explore a variety of locations. Traditional dungeons are complemented by abandoned military bases, derelict residential areas, deserted shopping malls, and deserted streets. Players can also encounter infected hospitals and other atmospheric locations. Developers use elements of radiation and biological contamination to restrict access to certain areas, thereby creating additional challenges and conditions for survival. This not only enriches the gameplay, but also deepens the player's interaction with the environment, requiring strategic thinking and adaptation to changing conditions.

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Since the creation of the first Fallout games, developers have been actively exploring various aspects of gameplay and concepts of the post-apocalyptic world. Their works harmoniously intertwine elements of retrofuturism, fantasy, steampunk, and realism. Settings can span global territories or focus on specific locations, such as cities or islands. This diversity allows players to immerse themselves in unique stories and adventures, creating a deep connection with the game world.

In Nier: Automata, the player finds themselves on an abandoned Earth, abandoned by humanity. The main character, the android YoRHa No.2 Type B (2B), explores diverse locations populated by robots who have created a cult based on the remnants of human culture. This plot twist immerses the player in a world where technology and human emotions intertwine, creating a unique atmosphere and revealing profound philosophical questions about existence and identity.

An important aspect of the Biomutant project is its unique setting. Like Nier: Automata, Biomutant features no humans, as humanity has been completely wiped out. In its place, intelligent animals inhabit the world, wielding homemade weapons. This world is filled with combat robots, ruined cities, and ancient bunkers, as well as magical elements, creating an intriguing blend of technology and sorcery.

It's worth noting the cult game Half-Life, in which the post-apocalypse is the result of several factors. A scientific experiment triggered an alien invasion, which in turn led to the destruction of civilization. The aliens established a totalitarian regime that controls every move of a dying humanity. Half-Life not only demonstrates the consequences of scientific research but also raises questions about power, control, and survival in the face of global crisis.

11 bit studios successfully combined genres and settings in their strategy game Frostpunk. Using elements of the post-apocalyptic and steampunk, the developers created a city-building simulator in which players must save the subjects of the British crown from an impending global cold snap. The game offers a unique approach to resource management and moral choices, creating a tense atmosphere of survival in the face of harsh climate change. Frostpunk attracts attention not only with its original concept, but also with a deep plot, which makes it an important stage in the development of the strategy genre.

During the development of the first prototype of the Frostpunk game, originally called Industrial, the team I was faced with the question of what to do next. This project, a low-cost city-building simulator in a steampunk setting, was interesting, but lacked sufficient motivation and a clear concept. Ultimately, everyone involved came to a common vision: to create a game about the survival of society in harsh winter temperatures. I imagined strong people, such as sailors, climbers, whalers, and oil rig workers, fighting for their existence. The idea of ​​​​pitting them against the freezing climate was no accident—in Poland, we have experienced harsh winters and know what extreme weather conditions are, which became the basis for creating a unique game world.

The developers of Frostpunk have created another significant game—This War of Mine. Unlike most projects in the post-apocalyptic genre, This War of Mine tells the story of events that could happen in real life. Players find themselves in a European country engulfed in civil war, where ordinary people struggle to survive in a devastated city. The game emphasizes the humanitarian aspects of the conflict, forcing players to make difficult decisions to preserve their own lives and those of their comrades.

An example of a localized post-apocalypse in a realistic setting is the shooter Spec Ops: The Line. In this game's world, the city of Dubai is engulfed in a sandstorm, and isolated civilians struggle for survival and every sip of water. This brutal reality unfolds as one of the most original war stories ever told, challenging moral dilemmas and the consequences of human actions. Spec Ops: The Line not only offers exciting gameplay, but also immerses the player in deep philosophical reflections on the cost of war and the loss of humanity.

In games, the post-apocalypse sometimes arises from Mystical reasons. For example, in 2007, the action RPG Hellgate: London presented a story about the gates of hell opening in the heart of London. In this demon-infested world, the last survivors of humanity fought for survival, taking refuge in underground tunnels, reminiscent of the game Metro. Cultic Games studio presented its role-playing game Stygian: Reign of the Old Ones, which integrates elements of a Lovecraftian apocalypse. In this RPG, the ancient gods awakened, leading to humanity's descent into chaos and madness. Players will explore a dark world filled with horrors and secrets, where every decision can have a significant impact on the fate of the characters and the surrounding reality.

Comfort Soviet devastation

Post-apocalyptic settings are becoming increasingly popular in the former CIS countries, largely thanks to the game "S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl." This project achieved cult status among Russian-speaking players, despite a number of technical issues that arose during its launch. Later, the Metro series of games, based on the works of writer Dmitry Glukhovsky, joined this theme. These games not only attract attention with their atmosphere but also become an important cultural phenomenon, reflecting the fears and hopes of society. Post-apocalyptic worlds offer players the opportunity to explore devastated cities and encounter the consequences of disasters, making them particularly relevant in the modern context.

Russian post-apocalypse is permeated with deep nostalgia and a gloomy atmosphere, reflecting a sense of loss The Golden Age of Civilization. We, like people in the Dark Ages and the Middle Ages, recognize that the era of flourishing culture, science, and civilization has passed. We look to the past with both longing and admiration, for the future seems frightening and bleak. Every day brings the fear that tomorrow will be worse than today. We remember bygone times with regret and realize that there is virtually no hope for a brighter future. This feeling, familiar to us since the 1990s, continues to haunt us to this day, underscoring the longing for a lost empire.

Russian players' interest in the atmosphere of a ruined world caused by global events first manifested with the release of Fallout. Influenced by this cult series, fans continue to create their own versions, releasing numerous modifications. In 2014, a large-scale modification for Fallout 2, titled Olympus 2207, was released. It builds on the original universe but offers a unique storyline and engaging characters, highlighting the community's creative approach to the beloved franchise.

In 2018, Atom RPG was released, serving as a spiritual successor to classic role-playing projects. The creators focused on an alternate post-nuclear world set in an unnamed part of the former Soviet Union. This project is filled with references to the cultural characteristics of the region, making it unique. Atom RPG borrows the character development system and diverse role-playing capabilities from the Fallout series, allowing players to immerse themselves more deeply in the game's atmosphere and create their own stories.

The setting of abandoned and ruined Soviet buildings is of interest not only in Russia and the CIS countries but also beyond. This unique "Russian flavor" continues to inspire modern media. A striking example is the game Call of Duty: Warzone, which features a prison with the symbolic name Gulag, emphasizing the legacy of Soviet architecture and culture. Such elements become an important part of the gaming experience and draw attention to historical aspects.

The post-apocalyptic setting, originally intended to depict the horrific consequences of the end of the world, is often perceived differently in the world of video games. In multiplayer games, this context becomes engaging and exciting, offering players not only a survival experience but also the opportunity to have fun with friends. This approach allows for a combination of strategy, cooperation, and competition, making the gameplay more dynamic and engaging. Post-apocalyptic scenarios in multiplayer games attract attention thanks to their unique atmosphere and the opportunity to explore devastated worlds, creating unforgettable moments of shared adventure.

In single-player games, the post-apocalypse serves more than just a backdrop; it's an important element that highlights the difficulties and challenges faced by humans in the struggle for survival in extreme conditions. In this setting, developers create captivating stories filled with drama and emotional weight. In both single-player and multiplayer games, the post-apocalypse becomes a powerful tool, shaping the plot, gameplay, and other aspects of the gameplay. By leveraging this unique context, developers are able to immerse players in a world where every decision matters and every action can have unexpected consequences.