PlayStation has announced a new survival game exclusively for PlayStation 5. Abandoned is set to utilize the performance of the next-gen console and provide more immersion with the new DualSense controller. The game is set to release in 2021, and there is already a first trailer.
What kind of game is this? Abandoned is a story-driven shooter and survival simulation in first person, heavily focused on realism. The gameplay is intended to be slow and feel tactical, not fast like an action shooter.
Abandoned is being developed by Blue Box Game Studios, who previously tried their hand at horror games like The Haunting (via IGN). However, The Haunting is now being developed and published by another studio and is set to release on April 27 (via Steam).
Abandoned will be released in the fourth quarter of 2021 exclusively for PlayStation 5. A specific release date has not yet been announced.
What is it about? The story unfolds around the protagonist Jason Longfield, who wakes up alone in a forest and has to survive. You find out that you were kidnapped and are to be subjected to a “dark purpose,” which is not described in detail yet.
In an initial trailer, the narrator already tries to instill fear in the viewer. She suggests loneliness and helplessness, asking what one would do if one were to become prey and somehow has to survive. The stunning visuals enhance the immersion:
The actual gameplay has not been shown much yet. Game Director Hasan Kahraman promises, however, that a full gameplay video will be released “soon.”
“Realism through immersion”
What makes Abandoned special? Already in the trailer, it is apparent that Abandoned relies on visuals and stunning imagery. The environment is detailed and realistic. The scenes resemble a survival simulation more than an ordinary survival game.
The graphics are expected to be supported by the performance of the PS5. The motion capture is said to be playable in 4K resolution at 60 FPS. The developers want to ensure that “the environmental quality is as close to reality as possible.” Load screens are to be kept minimal.
Additionally, the developers want to take advantage of the new DualSense of PlayStation 5. Every interaction should be felt through the controller, such as when you are hit by a bullet.
When you pull the trigger, you should feel a difference between loaded and unloaded weapons. If you try to shoot while you are out of breath, aiming becomes less precise.
Is there a multiplayer? Currently, there is no information on whether Abandoned will be a purely single-player title or if it can also be played together in co-op or even against each other in multiplayer.
The first images featuring a single protagonist suggest it may be a solo title, although The Forest has a similar setting. The Forest can be played with friends, so it is also possible that Abandoned has a co-op mode as well.
The sequel to The Forest, Sons of the Forest, is part of the 7 new survival games to look forward to in 2021.
