Did you get a chance to play the Serum demo back during the Steam Next Fest? If you managed to free up enough space for the fairly large file, you’ll undoubtedly have added the game to your wishlist and received word that it’s now available in Early Access. You mean you don’t know what Serum is? Read on, friends…
A first-person survival sci-fi adventure from Game Island and Toplitz Productions, Serum is an interesting blend of Fallout, Haze, and Chernobylite, with a touch of the Justin Timberlake sci-fi movie In Time. I recommend adding it to your watchlist if you haven’t seen it yet.
Story-wise, you play Adam – a loving father who signs up for medical testing on his heavenly body to raise funds for treating his sick kid. Alas, people shouldn’t be tinkering with their body the way he does (think Tetsuo: The Iron Man), as the test subjects depend on a serum that gives them immunity to the blight.
While the idea of being immune to the threats that plagued you in the Dark Souls series may sound appealing, like Mullet MadJack, you’ll need to keep taking the serum. Fortunately, the game starts you off with a five-minute interval, allowing for exploration, foraging, and leisurely strolls. However, foraging is crucial as it’s the only way to make your own serum. Neglecting this could lead to your demise.
Adam is left to his own devices when a colleague is found dead (guess how?). His contact is Richard, who serves as your tutorial host and explains the importance of the liquid and the significance of your location, ‘Ground Zero’ – where the blight is at its peak and conveniently located at the hub of a series of cable cars. The problem is that you have to power them all up before travelling.
One of the key features of Serum is its base-building elements, reminiscent of Fallout. However, it’s not an RTS game but a productivity tool. You’re given a makeshift lab where you can brew, craft, and farm gear on the go. It also serves as a safe haven where the serum’s time limit is paused, providing a much-needed breather. In addition to consumables and crafting, you can also brew custom serums.
This is one of the game’s selling points, as not only can you alter these ‘potions’ (tired of typing the s-word) to give buffs to your general well-being, but they can also be applied to weapons. There’s nothing so radical yet, and even with the weapons, there’s only a few worth using. The standout for me is the visuals.
Dressed in a 90s grungey green, the locale is grubby and looks the part. After all, there is a toxic cloud causing a kerfuffle for young Adam. The graphics are hit-and-miss, though. The background locations look the part, but I found the framerate to be choppy, and the textures are not so great in the highest settings. Still, we’re here for gameplay, not what’s on the outside.
While Serum is a decent enough experience even in this Early Access phase, it doesn’t stand out in an overpopulated genre, not because of the some of the technical elements (they’re minor as far as I’m concerned), but gameplay in general. I honestly couldn’t tell you how many games I’ve played like this, yet still felt quite overwhelmed with the crafting system.
It’s not hard to understand; it just needs to be streamlined. My patience levels are typically high, and I err on the positive and aim to provide constructive feedback. For me, Serum is a good game; it just doesn’t stand out enough at the moment. Looking at the demands of some vocal gamers, this might prove under par, but if you’re a fan of Chernobylite and fancy something that incorporates base-building and alchemy, do give it a chance.
