Abiotic Factor

Abiotic Factor is Half-Life if, instead of Gordon Freeman, you played as a Scientist instead. That obvious inspiration aside, it is a mechanically deep entertaining experience. Abiotic Factor is a Survival game. You have to scavenge for resources, and food and water as you make your way through the facility. Along the way, you can bring furniture and other items with you to fortify "safe" locations to make bases. You also have Skills, that are leveled up as you use them, like in the early Elder Scrolls games. For example, crouching near enemies without being noticed will increase your sneak skill, and successfully cooking raw meat will increase your cooking skill. Progress is slow at the start, as you really rely on breaking down basically everything around you to craft basic things, but as you make more and more progress, this grind becomes shorter and shorter. The early game, which includes the Cafeteria and The Office Sector, doesn't really have much of a variety of resources, so you will be relying on the Makeshift Spear, and whatever armor you can find or craft, and when you can finally make a keypad hacker, the standard handgun, but once you reach Manufacturing West, the game really opens up, throwing new materials and items at you in droves. Along with the GATE Facility, there are also "portal worlds". Much like XEN in Half-Life, Abiotic Factor has numerous alien worlds you can explore by finding and fixing portal equipment. These range from bizarre dream like alien worlds, to a world that is literally just Silent Hill, with infinite Fog. You can build bases in these worlds, and leave them at any time to go back to the facility, adding even more depth to the Open World. This game is good fun, and the challenge of the enemies makes stealth actually viable. One of the more interesting things the game does is, any resource can basically be part of a crafting recipe, and the first time you pick up a new resource, your character will think of a unique way of using that resource. This will show new crafting recipe ideas in your recipe tree, which, to actually be able to use them, you need to solve a recipe puzzle, i.e., dragging and dropping the correct resource to creating the crafting recipe. You cannot "lose" these puzzles, and they just exist to show you what you will eventually use for said recipe, but it's fun, and makes learning recipes more engaging than just leveling up and suddenly being able to know how to create something. Abiotic Factor is overall, one of the more interesting survival open world games out there. It also supports coop, as is a genre staple, so really, this game is well worth it's price. Highly Recommended.

The best survival/story game ever created. While most popular survival story games that have been created in the last decade have all started out as pure survival games and later on had a story tacked on, this game has always had both in mind and excels at combining the two. The content available when the game released was very obviously inspired by games such as Half-Life 1 as well as SCP; however, since then every update has topped the previous in quality and scope and has given the game its very own identity. It's a nice blend of horror and humor and has tons of hidden lore for those who want to look deeper without being a requirement to know for those who don't. We have spent hundreds of hours in a playthrough trying to explore everything and yet are still finding new things while waiting for new updates to release. 10/10

This would be my most favorite game of all time if you could punch things instead of pushing them but all the fog stuff makes up for it so it's still top 3, could still use some more fog though. Actually one of the best survival crafting type games already, while showing extreme potential to become the best overall.

game is really scary, when you have to poop they auto close the doors for you and it isolates you from your buddy leaving you in solitude. they have to release an update that allows you to leave the door open and that would for sure make the game a little less scary. As for bald representation, the game has a variety or haristyles so no matter where you are in the norwood scale, rest assured, you have something there for you. The game is lacking in the vertex variety of the norwood scale so keep that in mind, but the representation of bald folk is as good as any other modern game releases.

Extremely good and addicting, I don't like survival genre and I still like this one a lot.

One of the only games that I would willingly play over and over again without being tired of it. And because of the unique mechanic of the death bag re-spawning into the office security upon re-login is a bliss for my mind

This game scratched an itch that I couldn't seem to scratch for years. It's the perfect blend for having a great solo experience where you learn the mechanics and explore lightning fast, but also can enjoy a slower more goofing-around experience with a group of friends. It doesn't go overboard with the combat mechanics, and also doesn't make you scour a wiki for crafting recipes, it keeps everything simple, fun, intuitive and engaging. If you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a scientist in a fight for your life scenario, using the combined knowledge of your coworkers to piece together tech from computer parts and fight demons from another plane of existence, this is absolutely the game for you! Enjoy the soup, and say hi to Frake for me.

This is the most unique and probaly the best sandbox crafting/survival game I've ever played. The inspirations from Half Life and SCP are clear and very central, but the game delivers on doing it's own, well-crafted thing with it. The story and gameplay go hand in hand and make for a fun experience with nigh endless ways to play and experience the game. There's also no shortage of cool exploration, including strewn-out lore that expands the game's world and can be put together by the players. The devs and community are just as awesome as the game is and seeing the game grow and change (always for the better) ever since the first public release has been such an awesome experience. This game is the easiest and most clear 10/10 I've ever given and I can't wait what lies in 1.0 and beyond.

one of the best early access titles i've played. lots of easter eggs and homages to great classic games

The game turned out to be everything I was worried it would be. Everything feels like a chore, managing your crafting and storage is a nuisance, enemies are spawning inside my base which I don't understand from a design perspective, enemies are easily cheesed and my character's build doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm just trying to understand when the "fun" is supposed to happen, and why I paid almost 40 dollars for this.

This game is imaginative, not overly punishing, has great QoL mechanics and features, and runs smoothly. I'm always itching to play more, but my friends won't let me ;-;

Playing Abiotic Factor blind has probably been one of the most fun and memorable gaming experiences I've had in the past decade! It's unique setting, sprawling quantities of content and gameplay and lovely polish has made it such a joy to try and venture through. That slight spark of horror and dread is also just perfect for playing the game with friends, or in my case, playing it with your dearly beloved partner - only to watch them shit themselves as you try and hide from the sirens. Most games become quite fun when playing them with friends, it becomes a slight cheat to make any old game quite fun, but with Abiotic Factor it skips the fun and goes straight to magical. I'll forever look back fondly at this absolute gem of a game!

I'm excited for 1.0! me and a friend bought this game early in development and are really impressed to how much they add each update, the secrets, the weapons, the funny voice lines and all are wonderful it kept us interested 100% of the time and we might replay the entire game once 1.0 releases! if you have a duo or even if you just enjoy a half life aesthetic, this game is PERFECT. It's accessibilty features are amazing as well. If you have sensory issues,cant handle seeing/hearing throwup etc the game will have a setting or some way to deal with it! i can recommend this game with a 100% certainty that you will enjoy it.

game is awesome, story is really cool, and the feeling you get when you unlock more stuff to craft is just really amazing

The most amazing game to ever come out, creating a amazing community which should be spread and create new scientist with the upcoming 1.0 release. I hope the game continues expanding its scientific anomalies adding more out wordly entites (similiar to scp or the genre)

Awesome spin on the survival genre! I love survival games, but a lot of them that have come out recently seem to have the same concepts. AF puts you in an underground research facility and it kind of reminds me of Half Life. I've only played solo and it is still a great time.

Leaving this review before 1.0 Cold Fusion drops tomorrow. Saw this game when it first went into early access and saw it had some good reviews. I'm a survival / craft game junkie and thought it looked interesting, so some friends and I picked it up. Did not realize what we were getting into. This game ended up being a diamond and completely blew my expectations out of the water. TLDR and many updates later, here we are in Cold Fusion launch and cant be more excited. Never have I come back for every update like this in an early access before. This game is a labor of love and it shows. The devs are so passionate about it and are so in touch with the community. Hope they get all the success and attention they deserve and hope this game keeps pumping out as much content as it can give. See everyone in Cold Fusion!

Love this game! Even if hardcore science isn't your forté, There's something for everyone here. Even an alien stalker that may (or may not???) want to wear your skin...

Survival game with objectives that don't feel forced? This game is incredible, there is so much to this game and so much content. If you loved half life and you enjoy survival games with rpg elements then give this a go. Worth every dollar. Highly recommend!!!!

The game has great humour and thanks to the carefully crafted world, the open-world building feeling is much more refreshing and interesting. Instead of walking hours through an empty wasteland or randomly generated garbage, you get an actually interesting world and funny storyline. Highly recommended to play with friends

I've had a such a ridiculously fun time with friends playing this game. I feel like we've barely scratched the surface as well. The amount of customization and roles to fill in is just beyond the scope of any game I've played in this genre. Its a long slow burn and doesn't skip out on lore. Lots of fun memories to be made here if you are about that survival crafting life!

Genuinely one of the freshest games made in recent time. Not to mention chock-full of nostalgia for those of us who grew up on half life here on steam. Absolutely buy this game, and absolutely support these dudes, they deserve it.

One of the coolest games, If not the coolest I've ever played, It has s deep learning curve but very fun, I'd recommend playing with a friend!

Amazing game, one of my all time favorites, great crafting mechanic, storyline, combat and most of all exploration! I couldn't recommend this game more!!!

Be me and my friend We start the game, get our barrings in lvl 1 Get gear, get to lvl 3 Get shot to death by a fucko with a gattling gun 10/10 would science again

great map design unlocking shortcuts the more you explore. its has very own identity unlike other Survival games, chop down trees hit rocks repeat for 4 hours. has the ability to mod/adjust the difficulty setting of server,turn off hunger and thirsty so you don't have to babysit your bars. only thing negative thing I see in the game is how high levels radiation is dealt with, early on the game it put you in a loop of vomit rads off a bit to being hunger/thirsty, but eating will put rads back onto you so I got stuck in a loop and only way out was death.

This game is just great. A twist on the survival game experience where you are thrown into an hostile environment from the start. Instead of most survival games tossing a random or wide open world from the start, this game gives you a compact, immersive sim environment. Climb around traps or holes, figure out different paths to specific areas, work with your friends to progress, use your skills to help one another... Simply a great evolution to the survival game concept in a Half-life/Sci-fi concept. I will play more of this.

So there I was in vc with the boys, thinking this would be another early access indie game we'd toss away after one session. Yeah, it's been a few long nights. Turns out this game is pretty amazing. Buy it.

My personal experience was enhanced greatly with the Cackle Factor mod. Asides from that, though, this is a very delightful and unique love-letter to Half-Life that I can appreciate. The level design and sound design are spot-on, and the creatures are equally terrifying. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must hunt for more pest rump meat. . .

I like it. something similar to System Shock 2. and with Half-Life 1 like gameplay, with shooting. monsters/aliens. base building, turrets, work benches. not any disappointment yet.

It's hard to explain how hard this game has won me over. One thing is clear, this game's developer love the world they built, and they care about it deeply! Simply speaking, I think Abiotic Factor would appeal to people who enjoy the usual survival-craft, but are open to a unique setting with SCP-esque elements and twists that really tie it all together. Also, while the game is definitely enjoyable alone, bringing friends along improves the experience even more - exponentially so :D So far, this game is a true 10/10 for me, and I doubt that'll change ^^

Simply the best survival game i have ever played. Play it with friends, its an experience you will want to share with someone

One of the most unique and fun games out there. Obviously some things I wished they changed but severely underrated and not popular enough.

Easily S Tier game with amazing gameplay, base building and exploration.

This is quite possibly my favorite survival craft game of all time. I hardly write reviews for games, but something of this caliber deserves an outstanding recommendation. If you enjoy late 90's and early 2000's sci-fi worlds, you will love what this game has in store for you. If you love in-depth survival mechanics and leveling progression systems, once again, you'll love this game. For the best experience, I highly recommend playing with your friends, as the game feels attuned to handle a group of scientists exploring, crafting, farming, progressing, and.... other sciency stuff. This masterpiece gets two thumbs, way up!

Let me say, as someone who has a small amount of playtime with this game... Deep Field cooked with this one. Abiotic Factor is everything I could ever want out of a facility survival game. Interesting tech, fascinating enemies, and a compelling world and story if you look deep enough. And the base building... Want an armory to rival the US military? Make it. A kitchen that would make Gordon Ramsay blush? Get out there and craft it. A dinner spread, a greenhouse, a deranged poop shack? It's all yours if you have the eye for it. Abiotic Factor has been a time sink for me, and I don't regret it. I'm happy to say that I was able to see it grow and change. It started as a product that had my attention; now it has my heart. Buy it please. Buy it and enjoy this fantastic science man game. Thank you, Deep Field, for the amazing game. You should all be proud of the product you've made. I cannot wait to see what you've got planned next.

The game is a complete 10/10 and Zaggy himself even said he's gonna add Tarasque milking! But really, a game styled after older games with various quirks and a lot of depth of gameplay and story.

Pros - Engaging Story: Surprisingly long and filled with twists. - Flexible Playstyle: Allows for either resource grinding or focusing solely on the story. - Balanced Puzzles: Challenging enough to be fun, but not so hard you need to look up solutions. - Great Co-op Experience: Especially enjoyable with friends—fun for both exploration and trolling each other. - Long play time. I played a total of almost 60 hours with my friends till we completed the game. Cons - Confusing Map Navigation: No mini-map or player marker, making it easy to get lost. - Backtracking Required: Some parts of the story require remembering and revisiting earlier areas. - Low Replayability: Once completed, there are no alternate paths or endings—replay value is limited until new content is added. - Performance Issues: Occasional freezing and FPS drops, especially when opening chests or crafting. - Unfair Enemies: Some enemies have unrealistic, aimbot-level accuracy that can feel unfair.

Half-Life 2 with Skyrim Leveling System and some survival/crafting mechanisms built in. It started out okay, then had some very high highs (in a group of 4) and some stretched out "mids" in between. This game is not made to be rushed, it's about engaging with the missions, pondering what to do next or, alternatively, looking through guides a bunch. It is well worth playing, alone or with friends, but will take time. However, for me it's still just a very special 8/10 because the game requires a sense of direction that I don't possess to be a 9 or 10

Another EA game bought on a whim to play with a friend. I then proceeded to play over 100hrs within the refund period. I did not expect this game to be as good as it is and it's not even finished yet. Games like these restore my faith in the EA system. While there are some performance issues that I hope are addressed soon, this game is so goddamn fun and there is so much to it. That feeling of unlocking better equipment as you delve deeper into the absurd madness of science and occultism. It has it's difficulty spikes but it's all manageable as long as you prepare yourself properly. [spoiler] Leyak is a sweet boy pls no bully [/spoiler]

This game rules. It's pretty much a co-op Half-life mod with the crafting and exploration of Terraria. With a few friends, this has been incredibly addicting. I can't really recommend it enough.

Think of it like Half Life meets SCP as a survival game. It's very fleshed out and surprisingly bugfree for an early access game. It has tons of content and many many things to discover and craft. The base building is quite refreshing with requiring electricity and power sockets that go out at night. You also have some very clear progression, plenty of fast travel points to and from areas so returning to base is not so much of a struggle or long trek. It's fun in multiplayer, a little tedious solo but you can tweak the world settings a lot to fit your playstyle very well. It's also quite wacky, has a lot of humor, and doesn't take itself too serious. A lot of fun, can't wait for 1.0 with another area.

Very much like Half-life but with base building. Playing it solo is much scarier than I thought. Only downside is that you have to get a hang of things at the beginning, just like any other base building games. Overall, it's an awesome game.

best survival game right next to subnatica. And thats saying a lot.

Survival/crafting x Half-Life The price point looked a bit much based on what I was seeing in the screenshots, but the reviews were enthusiastic so I gave it a go and was not disappointed.

Abiotic Factor is a clever and inventive survival-crafting game that successfully blends cooperative play, retro sci-fi aesthetics, and immersive sim elements into a uniquely unsettling experience. Developed by Deep Field Games, it places players in the role of scientists trapped in a sprawling, high-security research facility that has spiraled into chaos after an interdimensional breach. Drawing inspiration from classic titles like Half-Life and SCP, the game fuses base-building, exploration, and resource management with dark humor and occasional absurdity, resulting in a survival experience that feels both refreshing and distinct within the genre. The gameplay loop revolves around scavenging, crafting, and surviving against a variety of threats, from malfunctioning security drones to bizarre extradimensional creatures. What makes Abiotic Factor stand out is its commitment to realism and interactivity. Survival isn’t just about keeping hunger and thirst in check; it also includes managing energy, hygiene, and even bladder functions—adding a layer of simulation rarely seen in this kind of game. It’s a strangely immersive touch that makes the game's setting feel lived-in, rather than just a backdrop for horror and action. At its core, the game encourages cooperative play. You and up to five friends must work together to gather resources, build defensible bases, and escape or outlast the growing chaos. The base-building system is flexible and open-ended, allowing players to create safe zones in a variety of environments—whether nestled in abandoned breakrooms, ventilation tunnels, or the more surreal and otherworldly zones accessed through unstable portals. These environments are a highlight of the game: the level design is hand-crafted with a strong sense of place, mixing mundane office spaces with atmospheric lighting, eerie sound design, and the occasional supernatural twist. Combat is functional but not the main focus. Encounters are designed more to pressure your planning and coordination than to offer twitch-based thrills. Weapons range from makeshift melee tools to laser cannons and other experimental gear. However, it’s the crafting and experimentation systems that take center stage. Rather than handing players blueprints, the game introduces a clever “idea” system—discovery is earned by logical deduction or environmental clues, creating a genuine sense of scientific problem-solving. Even simple actions like building a bed or unlocking a door feel earned. Beyond its mechanics, Abiotic Factor nails a specific tone: eerie, yet quirky. One moment you’re repairing a busted generator while being stalked by an alien horror, and the next you’re laughing with your teammates after turning a janitor’s closet into a fully operational command center. This blend of tension and humor gives the game a unique identity—it doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it also doesn’t undermine its atmosphere with over-the-top comedy. It walks the tightrope well, offering both unnerving moments and absurd player-driven chaos. That said, as an Early Access title, Abiotic Factor still has rough edges. Technical hiccups, occasional crashes, and physics-related bugs can detract from the experience, particularly during high-stakes moments. Voice lines can desync, and some crafting systems lack polish. The AI for enemies can also be inconsistent, either too passive or unexpectedly lethal. Furthermore, while the world is dense with potential, narrative content is currently sparse, with the main story still under development. These issues don’t ruin the experience but are worth noting for those seeking a fully fleshed-out campaign. Despite these growing pains, Abiotic Factor already shows remarkable depth and potential. The strong community support, frequent updates, and enthusiastic developer engagement suggest a promising roadmap ahead. Its focus on teamwork, experimentation, and immersion sets it apart in a crowded genre, and it captures a kind of sci-fi horror absurdity that feels both nostalgic and new. In conclusion, Abiotic Factor is an imaginative and memorable survival game that’s greater than the sum of its parts. It may not be polished yet, but it delivers a compelling mix of challenge, atmosphere, and creativity. Whether you're drawn to its cooperative gameplay, its immersive environments, or the thrill of building a science-lab fortress out of office chairs and vending machines, this is one Early Access title worth watching—and playing. Rating: 10/10

It's the funny epic half life 1 scientist game, sure, but is actually way more than that. Story and atmosphere are genuinely amazing, progression is super satisfying. Minute to minute gameplay is a lot of fun, combat is fun but requires you to learn the mechanics. Slightly challenging, but once mastered is extremely enjoyable. Also an excellent chore game. If you have a couple friends to play it with, it's super enjoyable just going on your loop, collecting more resources, getting ready for deeper expeditions. Great game!

Their recent post troubles me. I figured this game was finished, and that there would be an actual ending. But upon reading that post, that these devs arnt done and have more planned, really does lead me to believe im investing my time at a waste. While the game is great and fun, and potentially game of the year, I would like it to end, actually end?

Really love playing this game with my friends and being a stay at base boy wife watering plants, cooking and cleaning : ) 10/10 would write a fanfic in my free time.

A lot of content. Survival aspect definitely keeps you on your toes, and keeps you busy. Love that it doesn't make it extremely difficult to obtain recipes for crafting and doesn't gate keep. One thing I wish would be better is the amount of resources... it could not be so finite.