Fort Solis – Game Review

A lone astronaut in a gleaming spacesuit stands before the futuristic, fog-shrouded base of Fort Solis, illuminated by eerie lights.

Fort Solis is a third-person adventure game that takes you to the eerie landscapes of Mars. Developed by Fallen Leaf and published by Dear Villagers, this game marks the studio’s debut in the gaming world. With its focus on storytelling and character development, Fort Solis delivers a unique experience that blends elements of horror and mystery.

Get ready to uncover the mysteries that lie within Fort Solis as we take a deep dive into the strengths and weaknesses of the game. We’ll explore its visuals, voice acting, story and gameplay to see if it lives up to the hype.

Unraveling the Mystery of Fort Solis

Fort Solis takes place in a remote Martian outpost, where you step into the shoes of Jack. He is a technician sent to investigate a mysterious incident at the facility. As you explore the abandoned halls, you quickly realize that something has gone terribly wrong.

Jack is joined by Jessica, a fellow technician, and their conversations show a connection that adds richness to the story. Their interactions are warm and genuine, making you genuinely care about what happens to them as the story unfolds. As you progress, you meet Wyatt Taylor, voiced by Troy Baker. His character adds another layer of intrigue, as you begin to piece together the events that led to the facility’s downfall.

The story is told through a mix of audio logs, video diaries, and environmental clues. You must pay attention to these details to understand the full scope of what happened. Although the setup is intriguing, the story can feel hurried at times, particularly near the end.

I found myself wanting more time to explore the characters and their motivations. The ending leaves some loose ends, which was frustrating. Overall, Fort Solis’ story is interesting and keeps you guessing, but it could have benefited from a more thorough exploration of its themes.

A person in a spacesuit walks toward the illuminated structure of Fort Solis, and an off-road vehicle is parked nearby at night.

Exploration Meets Storytelling in a Slow-Paced Adventure

Fort Solis offers a unique experience that blends exploration with storytelling. As you explore the deserted space station, you’ll start to unravel the mystery of what occurred there. The game encourages you to explore to uncover audio logs, video diaries, and emails that reveal more about the characters and their struggles.

Unfortunately, the gameplay can feel slow at times. You walk at a constant speed, which can make exploring the large areas feel tedious. This slow pace can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to piece together clues about the story. There are times when you have to backtrack, which I dreaded. It only added to the sense of dragging my feet through the game.

Quick-time events (QTEs) are part of Fort Solis’ gameplay, but they don’t add much to the experience. Some of these moments can feel rushed and may not have the impact that you’d expect. The game prioritizes its story over action, so don’t expect fast-paced gameplay mechanics.

A person facing away in a dimly lit futuristic hallway, with doors and illuminated signs on either side, from the eerie corridors of Fort Solis.

Stunning Landscapes Meet Technical Flaws

Fort Solis’ graphics and audio design are impressive, creating a strong atmosphere throughout the game. The visuals showcase the power of Unreal Engine 5. The character models are detailed, and their animations convey a range of emotions.

The voice acting in Fort Solis is really good, featuring a talented cast that includes Roger Clark, Troy Baker, and Julia Brown. Their performances add depth to the characters, making their interactions feel real and relatable. The delivery feels authentic, with natural pauses and stutters that resemble actual conversations. This adds to the story, allowing you to connect emotionally with the characters and what they go through.

Additionally, the eerie soundtrack adds a layer of unease, making you feel the isolation of the abandoned space station. Ambient sounds add to the game’s overall atmosphere, adding to the feeling that something unsettling lurks just out of sight. The mix of visuals and sound pulls you into the experience, making it feel more real.

A person in a futuristic spacesuit stands in a dimly lit workshop on Fort Solis, surrounded by various tools and a large suspended cylindrical object.

Fort Solis is an intriguing journey into space horror with some frustrating moments along the way

Fort Solis offers a unique experience that combines impressive visuals and strong voice acting. The game really shines with its impressive production quality, thanks to Unreal Engine 5. You’ll get lost in a beautifully crafted world that feels vibrant, even if it occasionally lacks some depth. The performances from the cast, including well-known actors like Roger Clark and Troy Baker, add a lot to the story.

Unfortunately, Fort Solis’ gameplay doesn’t always match the quality of its presentation. Jack’s slow walking speed is frustrating, especially during long stretches where not much happens. During the game you will need to backtracking often, which feels very tedious. While the audio logs and video diaries provide some interesting context, they can’t make up for the lack of gameplay variety. The story, while interesting, feels rushed at the end, leaving some questions unanswered.

Overall, Fort Solis has moments of brilliance, but also has areas that could use improvement. If you enjoy story-driven games with a strong focus on atmosphere, you’ll probably enjoy Fort Solis. Just be prepared for a slower pace and some frustrating moments along the way.

Fort Solis

Review by @4ScarrsGaming

A lone astronaut in a gleaming spacesuit stands before the futuristic, fog-shrouded base of Fort Solis, illuminated by eerie lights.
Gameplay
Presentation
Performance
Fun Factor
Overall Value

Summary

Fort Solis features beautiful visuals and impressive voice acting, making it a treat to experience. However, the game suffers from painfully slow walking speeds and frustrating backtracking. While the story has potential, it feels rushed and lacks urgency, especially towards the end. Overall, it’s an interesting attempt at storytelling, but it may not satisfy everyone looking for a traditional gaming experience.

3.3

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4ScarrsGaming

Jon is a proud Canadian who has a lifelong passion for gaming. He is a veteran of the video game and tech industry with more than 20 years experience. Jon is a strong believer and supporter in cloud gaming, he's that guy with the Stadia tattoo! He enjoys playing and talking about games on all platforms and mediums. Join the conversation with Jon on Threads @4ScarrsGaming and @4ScarrsGaming on Instagram.

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