Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden Review (PS4)

Written by Alexander O. Cuaycong and Anthony L. Cuaycong

Title: Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden
Developer: The Bearded Ladies Consulting
Publisher: Funcom
Genre: Adventure, RPG, Strategy
Price: $34.99
Also Available On: Steam, XB1

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It takes a lot for developers to make games that prove more than what they seem and ultimately leave players with a lasting impression. While some titles don't try to be anything more than temporary diversions, others strive for more than just a fleeting experience. Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is significantly of the latter kind, with The Bearded Ladies striving to combine environment-prompted storytelling and turn-based mechanics to produce a gripping and enjoyable release inspired by — believe it or not — a series of pen-and-paper role-playing games.

Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden builds upon and brings its tabletop roots to life on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Personal Computer. Players are thrust into the action as part of a group of Stalkers, mutants tasked with retrieving supplies and resources to fuel the settlement of Ark's survival in a post-apocalyptic world. When one of the teams goes missing while on an expedition, they get to control a party of three characters in an effort to find Hammon, the chief operator of the city’s systems, as well as look into the existence of the mythical land of Eden. Along the way, they are compelled to scavenge for supplies and weaponry, and fend off the many dangers that lurk beyond the safety of Ark's walls.

Graphics-wise, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden looks fair but doesn't push the limits of its technology. Nevertheless, it sets itself apart though its character and background designs. Vegetation and ruins are heavily contrasted with stylized cityscapes. Abandoned shacks and dark forests are par for the course, and constructed well enough to make them feel unique and interesting. Alongside a wide variety of mutants, both friendly and otherwise, they succeed in setting the proper tone for the narrative to move along.

Parenthetically, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden’s gameplay holds up well. Its combat mechanics are straightforward but engrossing, playing out similarly to Firaxis’ XCOM releases, with characters being able to move and perform actions or dash to designated areas in turns. Pretty much standard fare as far as these games go? Perhaps. The Bearded Ladies makes its work stand out by adding a twist to exploration: Players are able to maneuver their squad in real time around the map, picking up much-needed supplies and even being able to ambush patrolling enemies and whittle them down one by one. It's a simple quirk, but it creates some interesting scenarios and gives players some leniency on how to neutralize threats. Do they go in guns blazing once they’ve found some defendable areas? Do they lure enemies into manageable firing zones? Or do they move about the map and risk detection, but also get to take down stragglers to reduce the overall number of enemies?

The extent of freedom offered players is what makes Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden so unique. Its interesting blend of gameplay elements framed within its grim and dark setting creates a captivating experience. That said, it has set rules, and is far from perfect as a result. The Random Number Goddess system, for instance, can lead to frustration, especially during times when when a crucial shot can mean the difference between survival and death. It certainly doesn’t help that some enemies are brutally unforgiving and can easily beat players down if not approached properly. The lack of a meaningful level progression for characters is also a hindrance; the skills earned during gameplay and the weapons and armor that can be scavenged and bought seem like minor upgrades rather than major overhauls and do very little to spice up the gameplay once a routine is established.

For all the unpredictability of dice rolls in combat, Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden is a straightforward story from beginning to end, focused more on its themes and less on its replay value. Nonetheless, it's absolutely fantastic at its best and leaves players wanting for more. The first playthrough is especially revealing, cementing its status as a solid addition to the PS4’s extensive library of role-playing titles despite its flaws.

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THE GOOD

• Excellent match of setting and story
• Compelling gameplay
• Interesting character design

THE BAD

• Too dependent on RNG during combat
• Upgrades are lackluster at best
• Fairly linear

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RATING: 7/10

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