Survivalist: Invisible Strain
Last updated: 2025-04-26
- Engaging survival sandbox experience with high freedom.
- Dynamic NPC interactions and complex relationships.
- Great value for the price; appeals to genre fans.
- Numerous bugs and broken multiplayer experience.
- Unforgiving difficulty; unbalanced, high RNG elements.
- Lacks content and feels unfinished.
- Reviews
(sample size) - 429
- Helpful reviews
- 81%
- Unhelpful reviews
- 19%
- Protest reviews
- 0%
- 85%Helpful reviews with positive sentiment
- 15%Helpful reviews with negative sentiment
- Positive points
- 861
- Negative points
- 616
- Gameplay points
- 382
- Perf. points
- 18
- Rec. points
- 274
- Misc points
- 113
| Point | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Engaging survival sandbox experience | The game features engaging survival gameplay with base building, resource management, NPC recruitment, and community management. Players can explore a dynamic open world, scavenge for resources, and build settlements while facing challenges like zombies, bandits, and seasonal events. The freedom to choose different playstyles and the emergent storytelling through NPC interactions contribute to a unique and immersive experience. | 92% |
| Dynamic and intelligent NPC interactions | The game features a robust NPC interaction system with unique personalities, relationships, and memories. NPCs react dynamically to player actions and world events, leading to alliances, conflicts, and emergent storylines. This system creates a sense of interconnectedness and makes the game world feel alive. | 48% |
| High freedom and mod support | The game offers a high degree of freedom with character customization, difficulty settings, and extensive mod support. Players can adjust the game to their liking, create custom content, and explore various playstyles. The availability of mods and a built-in cheat system further enhance the player's control over the game experience. | 45% |
| Story and multiplayer modes | The game features both a story mode and a multiplayer mode, offering different ways to experience the gameplay. Multiplayer supports cooperative gameplay, allowing players to share tasks and increase efficiency. The addition of a story mode provides a structured narrative experience, while the multiplayer mode allows for social interaction and collaborative survival. | 22% |
| Improved character and AI | The reviewer noticed improved character development and AI of NPCs, though they remain predictable. The reviewer was able to raise morale with the leader character and 'win the heart' of a character who initially hated them. The reviewer finds the second installment to be superior to the first, particularly praising the improved music. | 15% |
| Fun and flexible base building | Base building is an enjoyable and rewarding aspect of the game, offering a variety of crafting options and strategic considerations. Players can construct and manage their bases, defend against threats, and create a sense of community. The base-building system is more flexible than similar games, allowing for creative and strategic designs. | 14% |
| Appealing visual style | The game has appealing graphics and an art style reminiscent of comic books or Telltale Games' The Walking Dead series. Despite being an indie game, the visual presentation is well-executed and contributes to the overall immersive experience. The game's mechanics compensate for any limitations in the use of paid assets. | 13% |
| Realistic survival elements | The game incorporates realistic survival elements such as day/night cycles, weather, seasons, and the need to manage resources like food and water. Players must prepare for harsh winters, equip characters with appropriate clothing, and engage in activities like farming and hunting to survive. These elements add depth and challenge to the gameplay experience. | 11% |
| Surprising strategic depth | The game has surprising strategic depth despite appearing simple on the surface and is described as quite unique. The game is reasonably priced and offers excellent value for its low cost. Every decision and action has consequences for the entire game. | 10% |
| Improved over previous installment | The game is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, offering a more fluid and engaging experience. Reviewers noted a greater sense of freedom and depth compared to the first game in the series. This makes it a worthwhile choice for fans of the original and newcomers alike. | 9% |
| Passion project, unusual charm | The game is a labor of love and a masterpiece, especially considering it was developed by a single person. The developer's passion for the game is evident, and the game possesses an unusual charm. The game is a blast to play. | 9% |
| Strategic recommendations | The reviewer recommends using various strategies to eliminate enemy factions, such as 'borrow a knife to kill' and 'fish in troubled waters'. The reviewer also recommends using friendly factions as a buffer against zombies and using zombies to weaken enemy factions before recruiting survivors. These points are primarily strategic recommendations rather than core gameplay feedback. | 7% |