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[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Yeah, I read some of the reviews and they're a tad lower than I expected, but I'm still going to pick up a PS5 physical copy once it releases here in Europe in October.

By the way, during the Fort Solis gamescom segment, they said that the game was made by 10 people and in just 2 years.

 

[jshackles]

Played about one hour. Following are my + and - impressions so far

+very atmospheric and interesting setting
+great graphics
+good voice acting
+intriguing premise till now

-performance. I am on a 3080 and even with DLSS quality had to turn down a couple of settings to get better frame rate in 4k
-controls. Biggest problem of the game. If you thought RDR2 was slow and bad, check this out. The main character walks slow, can't run, animation stops after like 2 seconds of you letting go.

I am not planning on refunding though. Small decently priced single player narrative focused games are my jam. Add sci-fi space setting and you've got me. So will keep playing.

Also got about an hour to play last night, and this is about exactly how I felt.

As for performance, the game seems incredibly CPU bound. Most of the time I'd be idling along and then suddenly my CPU usage would shoot up to 100% and stay there for a good 4-5 seconds, all the while the game would start having massive frame drops. This would happen only every couple of minutes, the rest of the time I'd have a smooth 60fps. Graphics card and SSD, neither pegged out during these spikes. I've got a Ryzen 5 5600G CPU, so not the best in the world but it's no slouch either.

The game itself is pretty good so far. My wife even saw me playing it and commented on how the graphics looked better than most of the games I've played.

 

[Eiknarf]

Also got about an hour to play last night, and this is about exactly how I felt.

As for performance, the game seems incredibly CPU bound. Most of the time I'd be idling along and then suddenly my CPU usage would shoot up to 100% and stay there for a good 4-5 seconds, all the while the game would start having massive frame drops. This would happen only every couple of minutes, the rest of the time I'd have a smooth 60fps. Graphics card and SSD, neither pegged out during these spikes. I've got a Ryzen 5 5600G CPU, so not the best in the world but it's no slouch either.

The game itself is pretty good so far. My wife even saw me playing it and commented on how the graphics looked better than most of the games I've played.

Pardon my ignorance, but is it easier for devs to make graphics look better when there’s less gameplay? I’d assume the closer you get to just creating an animated Pixar type of video, the better the graphics

 

[yukinali085]

I want to support Roger Clark but the reviews are... not pretty.

 

[Skifi28]

There's an one hour demo on PS plus. Performance mode unfortunately isn't that good, looks fine but framerate isn't anywhere near locked even at the very beginning. Not very surprising seeing the post above about the PC version.

 

[jshackles]

Pardon my ignorance, but is it easier for devs to make graphics look better when there’s less gameplay? I’d assume the closer you get to just creating an animated Pixar type of video, the better the graphics

To a certain degree, sure. Like, instead of having to create a combat system or combat animations, hitboxes, etc. the developers can focus more on environmental textures and animations and thus the game will look better. There is somewhat less interactivity here too - so they don't have to worry as much about the physics of an object if you were to, say, shoot it down off of a shelf.

But - the first hour of this game feels a bit like what Dead Space would be without any combat or enemies. Gameplay wise, it's similar to games like The Dark Pictures Anthology or The Quarry. Having played those games, I can say for certain that this game looks better visually than those games. But make no mistake, this is still firmly in the realm of "game" rather than "movie". There was only one section (the title crawl at the beginning) where my space buggy was driving along and I had no control - the rest of the time I was deciding where to go and what to see and which objective to move towards and when to open my pipboy and all that.

 

[SJRB]

Roger Clark is my boy but man, the timing of this release date couldn't be more unfortunate.

 

[Eiknarf]

I’m gonna be walking around EVERYWHERE

 

[hlm666]

Also got about an hour to play last night, and this is about exactly how I felt.

As for performance, the game seems incredibly CPU bound. Most of the time I'd be idling along and then suddenly my CPU usage would shoot up to 100% and stay there for a good 4-5 seconds, all the while the game would start having massive frame drops. This would happen only every couple of minutes, the rest of the time I'd have a smooth 60fps. Graphics card and SSD, neither pegged out during these spikes. I've got a Ryzen 5 5600G CPU, so not the best in the world but it's no slouch either.

The game itself is pretty good so far. My wife even saw me playing it and commented on how the graphics looked better than most of the games I've played.

UE5 more single threaded than crysis lol (joking kinda). The whole render thread is single threaded, look at cyberpunk cpu load distribution and then look at a ue5 game. That 100% load sounds like shader comp, which can be reduced to almost nothing if they use all the features for it epic have added to ue5 but no one wants to be competent these days.

 

[jshackles]

I played a bit more last night, made it to Chapter 4 (I think it's the last chapter?).

This is definitely a short game with a slow burn. Very atmospheric. Lots of the story is delivered in either text on people's computer terminals, videos / mission logs (also on computer terminals) and voice recordings found on these little recording device thingies. There are a few puzzles but most of the game is just figuring out how to get to the next section. It's got that almost metroidvania like progression where you go here / do this thing / get this item that unlocks more doors / backtrack to previous areas that had locked doors / get new item to unlock higher level doors / repeat. But, ultimately, this is still just a walking simulator.

If you're going to play this game - do it with headphones, and preferably do it in pitch blackness. It's the reason it's taken me a couple of sessions now despite the game only being about 3 hours long - it doesn't get dark here until about 9pm. This would be a perfect fall or winter or Halloween game. It's also only $18 at GreenManGaming

Fort Solis | PC - Steam | Game Keys

Pick up your Fort Solis PC copy from Green Man Gaming today and remember to sign in for our best price

www.greenmangaming.com

Recommended if you like this sort of narrative-driven atmospheric exploration game.

 

[graywolf323]

I played a bit more last night, made it to Chapter 4 (I think it's the last chapter?).

This is definitely a short game with a slow burn. Very atmospheric. Lots of the story is delivered in either text on people's computer terminals, videos / mission logs (also on computer terminals) and voice recordings found on these little recording device thingies. There are a few puzzles but most of the game is just figuring out how to get to the next section. It's got that almost metroidvania like progression where you go here / do this thing / get this item that unlocks more doors / backtrack to previous areas that had locked doors / get new item to unlock higher level doors / repeat. But, ultimately, this is still just a walking simulator.

If you're going to play this game - do it with headphones, and preferably do it in pitch blackness. It's the reason it's taken me a couple of sessions now despite the game only being about 3 hours long - it doesn't get dark here until about 9pm. This would be a perfect fall or winter or Halloween game. It's also only $18 at GreenManGaming

Fort Solis | PC - Steam | Game Keys

Pick up your Fort Solis PC copy from Green Man Gaming today and remember to sign in for our best price

www.greenmangaming.com

Recommended if you like this sort of narrative-driven atmospheric exploration game.

how scary/horror is it? with the recommendation of it being a Halloween game

my threshold for scary stuff is Scooby-Doo

 

[jshackles]

how scary/horror is it? with the recommendation of it being a Halloween game

my threshold for scary stuff is Scooby-Doo

A couple of light jump scares but not too bad. A general sense of unease as you find more and more blood everywhere and eventually dead bodies.

The worst of it that I've encountered so far has been a guy had his arm torn off, and you have to use it to unlock a computer terminal.

Honestly, this is probably a bit of a step up from Scooby-level horror, but not by much.

 

[kittoo]

Finished it. Adding to my below quoted impressions.

It's very short. Took me 3h42mns according to Epic playtime counter, even though I explorer everything as much as possible. It's cheap too, but pretty short.

The story is OK. It starts strong and intriguing, but the denouement is very ho-hum. And

Spoiler: Very minor spoilers

like most horror/thriller protagonists, the characters make stupid choices Noone would make and leave you scratching your head.

.

Overall an atmospheric and good looking small sci-fi romp with performance and control issues. Can play once.

Played about one hour. Following are my + and - impressions so far

+very atmospheric and interesting setting
+great graphics
+good voice acting
+intriguing premise till now

-performance. I am on a 3080 and even with DLSS quality had to turn down a couple of settings to get better frame rate in 4k
-controls. Biggest problem of the game. If you thought RDR2 was slow and bad, check this out. The main character walks slow, can't run, animation stops after like 2 seconds of you letting go.

I am not planning on refunding though. Small decently priced single player narrative focused games are my jam. Add sci-fi space setting and you've got me. So will keep playing.

 

[mckmas8808]

Roger Clark is my boy but man, the timing of this release date couldn't be more unfortunate.

What do you mean by this?

 

[Eiknarf]

Roger Clark is my boy but man, the timing of this release date couldn't be more unfortunate.

Wait why? Because of Starfield?

 

[Eiknarf]

My physical copy will arrive tomorrow?

Am I the only one here who bought physical ?

Seems like all the DAY-ONE players are Digital Downloaders, as you couldn’t have possibly gotten the physical disc on DAY-ONE as it’s not on any brick and mortar retailer’s shelves.

 

[adamosmaki]

I stopped reading at cinematic experience

 

[Elder Legend]

No offense to those who enjoy these types of experiences, but I can't treat this as an actual video game. These types of "games" are just glorified interactive short film using a controller. I will never classify these as an actual game.

 

[Eiknarf]

No offense to those who enjoy these types of experiences, but I can't treat this as an actual video game. These types of "games" are just glorified interactive short film using a controller. I will never classify these as an actual game.

Basically like that interactive Black Mirror episode on Netflix

 

[Bartski]

Played through it the other day. Holy shit it's actually... rather bad, and that's from someone who genuinely likes walking sims.

Starts really interesting, but ends like a fart in the wind before getting anywhere. Honestly, the story also made no sense to me by reaching credits. I somehow missed an audio log that explains the motivations of the antagonist but the fact that's even possible feels like poor design. How about a replay to find out what really happened? No thanks.

Saving grace is the top-tier performance of the cast, as expected. Say what you will about TB he's really good at his job. And graphics - on high-end PCs I guess? As the IQ on PS5 sometimes brings back memories of Dead Space looking like porridge at launch.

Moving on.

 

[Flabagast]

Played through it the other day. Holy shit it's actually... rather bad, and that's from someone who genuinely likes walking sims.

Starts really interesting, but ends like a fart in the wind before getting anywhere. Honestly, the story also made no sense to me by reaching credits. I somehow missed an audio log that explains the motivations of the antagonist but the fact that's even possible feels like poor design. How about a replay to find out what really happened? No thanks.

Saving grace is the top-tier performance of the cast, as expected. Say what you will about TB he's really good at his job. And graphics - on high-end PCs I guess? As the IQ on PS5 sometimes brings back memories of Dead Space looking like porridge at launch.

Moving on.

Yeah there are some nice things (visual design is pretty good for example) but overall the experience feels barebones and, cardinal sin, the interesting premise ends up turning into a low grade B-movie scénario that is really disappointing.

However it lays some nice foundations for the future, perhaps

 

[Kakax11]

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Just received my physical copy a few mins ago. Gonna play it over the weekend!

 

[Eiknarf]

Just received my physical copy a few mins ago. Gonna play it over the weekend!

And then you’ll most likely never play it again

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

And then you’ll most likely never play it again

That's more than okay, It will sit well on the shelf with the rest of my PS4/PS5/Switch game collection!

 

[Eiknarf]

That's more than okay, It will sit well on the shelf with the rest of my PS4/PS5/Switch game collection!

Yeah I’m just teasing because thats what happened with me

I was counting down the days till that game came out. But when you play it, you realize it’s not much of a game. Just a mystery.

so it doesn’t have that cool gameplay loop that other games have that make you wanna go back

So I sold it knowing I would never play it again

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Just finished it over 2 sittings; overall a pretty good walking sim which didn't overstay its welcome. Good production values including good mocap and voice acting with a tense atmosphere from start to finish (it kinda reminded me of the second half of Sunshine for anyone who watched the movie). The OST was also quite decent and helped set the mood of the game which kept me on the edge throughout the whole playthrough. The story was engaging with quite a few wtf moments, but nothing super groundbreaking for a hard sci-fi game with a Mars mining/research base as its main setting. Other than that I'd say the rather slow movement of the main character(s) was a bit of a detriment to the overall pace of the game considering you have to go to various parts of the base quite often which means lots of walking.

Played it on performance mode on my PS5 and it ran fairly well (mostly 60fps) with just a couple of places having issues where the FPS tanked pretty hard to around 30 fps or even lower. I believe it's an Unreal Engine 5 game which uses both nanite and lumen so I'll forgive the perf hiccups. As for the image quality it was pretty decent with FSR or TSR upscaling used to resolve the final image from a lower base resolution.

All in all, I'll give it a 7 out of 10. Enjoyable atmospheric sci-fi walking sim with an interesting mystery to unravel. Could have worked as a Netflix movie too.

 

[adamsapple]

Thick Thighs Save Lives looks like you're literally the only person here who played it, my rental copy should be arriving today. Yes, probably not the biggest game I could be playing, but I had to order something to fill the second rental slot while waiting for SM2, so I'll be joining you, posting some pictures and shit later today or over the weekend.

 

[Eiknarf]

Thick Thighs Save Lives looks like you're literally the only person here who played it, my rental copy should be arriving today. Yes, probably not the biggest game I could be playing, but I had to order something to fill the second rental slot while waiting for SM2, so I'll be joining you, posting some pictures and shit later today or over the weekend.

Read above, son.

I played it. Sold it. Wont play again... because you dont "play".

 

[adamsapple]

Read above, son.

I played it. Sold it. Wont play again... because you dont "play".

This is why the rental / sub model is needed to co-exist along with traditional sales, not every game needs to be a permanent purchase, some things you just wanna try once for curiosity.

 

[Eiknarf]

This is why the rental / sub model is needed to co-exist along with traditional sales, not every game needs to be a permanent purchase, some things you just wanna try once for curiosity.

Ahhh yes, I like this idea.

That's basically how I "use" gamestop (and even one of the mom and pop stores nearby). By buying a pre-owned game, you have 7 days to try it. If ya dont like it, you can bring it back for a full refund (or trade for full value). Technically that's like renting it. Only its renting for free because like I said, ya get all your money back if returned within 7 days.

 

[Trogdor1123]

Looks pretty interesting. Reminds me of bring us the moon, which was great fun.

 

[jshackles]

Thick Thighs Save Lives looks like you're literally the only person here who played it, my rental copy should be arriving today. Yes, probably not the biggest game I could be playing, but I had to order something to fill the second rental slot while waiting for SM2, so I'll be joining you, posting some pictures and shit later today or over the weekend.

I played it too. I enjoyed it, but like Eiknarf said, it's really a "beat and delete" kind of game.

 

[GamesDontSuck]

Played the one hour ps5 demo last week and it's not bad. Quite enjoyed it but to me it's one of those games where you wait till its on sale.

Here's hoping for ps plus.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Thick Thighs Save Lives looks like you're literally the only person here who played it, my rental copy should be arriving today. Yes, probably not the biggest game I could be playing, but I had to order something to fill the second rental slot while waiting for SM2, so I'll be joining you, posting some pictures and shit later today or over the weekend.

Didn't know you like waking sims so looking forward to your impressions lol. Are you playing it on PS5? Also, recommend playing it at night and with headphones on if you can.

 

[adamsapple]

Didn't know you like waking sims so looking forward to your impressions lol. Are you playing it on PS5? Also, recommend playing it at night and with headphones on if you can.

I'm interested in playing this solely for Roger Clarke, not gonna lie

But, USPS fucked up and didn't deliver yesterday (even though my mail tracker said it would be) let's hope it comes today.

 

[Fbh]

Without spoiler is there an actually satisfying mystery or is it indie game #899 where it's basically all in the head of the main character because he is depressed and/or has mental health issues?

 

[Flabagast]

Without spoiler is there an actually satisfying mystery or is it indie game #899 where it's basically all in the head of the main character because he is depressed and/or has mental health issues?

No to both of your questions lol.

Mystery is cool in the beginning of the game but its resolution is really poor and goofy, although it's not linked to the mental state of the MC.

 

[Eiknarf]

Without spoiler is there an actually satisfying mystery or is it indie game #899 where it's basically all in the head of the main character because he is depressed and/or has mental health issues?

I thought the reveal (the mystery) would be better.

 

[adamsapple]

Which is recommended, Performance or Qualiy mode ?

Seems like this is a walking sim so I honestly don't think Performance will be beneficial here.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Which is recommended, Performance or Qualiy mode ?

Seems like this is a walking sim so I honestly don't think Performance will be beneficial here.

I've played it in performance as the quality mode felt quite jarring to me due to stutter/improper frame pacing. Be warned though there's a few scenes (one at the start as you enter Fort Solis) where the fps drops to mid/low 20s.

 

[adamsapple]

I've played it in performance as the quality mode felt quite jarring to me due to stutter/improper frame pacing. Be warned though there's a few scenes (one at the start as you enter Fort Solis) where the fps drops to mid/low 20s.

Oh yeah, I noticed. When you go to the upper level of the Atrium with the pink tree, it tanked to what felt like 10's.

I'm also seeing a lot of texture shimmering and what look like shadow blotches on walls when moving.

Not exactly the best technical game.

 

[adamsapple]

 

[adamsapple]

Thick Thighs Save Lives

I still don't exactly understand what Compound 26 actually did that was wrong. I need to look up some lore videos on youtube lol.

 

[Lunarorbit]

That's the most horseshit talking out of the side of your mouth pr answer I've ever seen when asked if it's a walking simulator.

Looks interesting even if it has middling reviews. Mars is always a good locale for video games

 

[adamsapple]

That's the most horseshit talking out of the side of your mouth pr answer I've ever seen when asked if it's a walking simulator.

Looks interesting even if it has middling reviews. Mars is always a good locale for video games

It is 100% a walking simulator, anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke.

 

[Lunarorbit]

It is 100% a walking simulator, anyone who says otherwise is blowing smoke.

Looks beautiful. I loved gone home for the story and how simple it was.

 

[Bartski]

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

If you're still on the fence, the devs have just added a walking speed option for the Steam release of the game lol.

Dear Fort Solis community,

Today we have a long awaited and highly requested news for all of you!

We heard your feedback and after some much needed rest we have worked hard on looking at ways to address the walking speed. This is our first step awaiting feedback whilst we look to add more iterations early in the new year.

With the new update, you are now able to increase walking speed by holding down the SHIFT button.

This feature is also planned to be implemented on the Playstation 5 version of the game once we gather enough feedback about it.

We have come a long way since the release and as a small indie studio we would like to express our gratitude for the continuous support and feedback we receive from you.
It really means a lot to each member of our team.

If you haven't played Fort Solis for a long time, please give it another go as we believe that with the previous bug fixes and optimalization patches, your experience will be much better

Should you feel like the game improved, and you enjoyed time spent with it, we would really appreciate leaving a positive review on the Steam store page as it will help to spread our game to a further audience.

Finally, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

See you again in 2024 with more Fort Solis news

List of Patch changes:

• Fixed rare issue that saw players locked in the Atrium airlock unable to progress.
  
  
• Added fix for Belgium region keyboard support.
  
  
• Added new walking speed iteration plus informative tool tip. Currently it increases x1.3.
  
  
• Continued optimisation work and Unreal 5 additions.

 

[Eiknarf]

If you're still on the fence, the devs have just added a walking speed option for the Steam release of the game lol.

Time for a speed run