Lately, a certain genre has been driving me up the wall, and I can’t even pinpoint its exact name. Regardless, if you lack specific skills or saint-like patience—both of which I’m short on—you’re probably in for a tough ride. Today, we’re diving into one of these games: ZERO Sievert. Now, because of the challenges I’ve just mentioned, this is more of a preview than anything else. Try as I might, I just can’t progress in ZERO Sievert, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad game. Scoring it is tricky, though, and I’ll walk you through the reasons why this game can be a total headache, all while assuring you my arguments are sound.
ZERO Sievert pairs up with games like Escape from Tarkov. These games take the “git gud” mantra and run with it off a cliff. This isn’t your typical Soulsborne “git gud” level; it’s strictly skill-based, without needing to learn attack patterns or item configurations. Here, every run depends entirely on how good you are, and dying feels like a kick in the teeth. If you’re not skilled, you pretty much hit a brick wall, and for me, it makes my teeth grind.
I completely understand that some of you jump into these games for the thrill of knowing a single wrong move wipes out all your hard-earned efforts. The rush of staking your loot while knowing it’s only yours as long as you stay alive is intoxicating for some. This turns into an intense adrenaline fest where every shot counts, and any rival can snatch victory from your grasp in a flash. You keep pushing yourself, eventually get better, and finally succeed. That all sounds great in theory, but for me, that’s when everything unravels. You will die, lose all your progress, and repeat the cycle. Despite this, you’re not really advancing.
As a roguelike enthusiast, I’m no stranger to tackling daunting odds, knowing full well failure is likely. The difference, though, is that in most roguelikes, every loss equips you better for the next go. In ZERO Sievert, even as your character’s skills improve, your success hinges on your current run. You don’t gain much from your defeats other than experience. You either learn from those losses or you don’t, and without progression, gaming feels unfulfilling to me.
That said, this is just my perspective. Some of you pick up on things quickly, racking up successful runs and hauling loads of loot back to base. You’ll get hooked on the high and dive right back in. That’s why I can’t say these games are bad—ZERO Sievert included. If you conquer the punishing cycle, it’s a rewarding experience.
After rambling on about why ZERO Sievert challenges me, let’s talk about the game itself. In this top-down survival scavenge, you’re navigating a post-apocalyptic world, responsibly gathering resources to keep your base thriving. The catch? Everything is out to get you. From hostile wildlife to well-armed bandits and savage mutants, danger lurks at every turn.
By “everything,” I mean everything. Besides the menacing foes, there’s radiation to worry about. As you explore, a radiometer ticks ominously—the more it ticks, the more radiation you’re absorbing, leading to an unfortunate end. On top of that, you must manage your food and water supply, even while back at the bunker. Starvation is a relentless threat. And don’t even get me started on the darkness; many a time I’ve been munched by ghouls because I couldn’t see a thing. ZERO Sievert epitomizes survival in its rawest form.
I’d love to share stories of building your bunker with the spoils of your quests, but that’d require surviving the wilds first, something I’ve yet to master. And that circles back to why this remains a preview—I can’t share what I haven’t lived firsthand.
Despite my struggles, there’s something about ZERO Sievert that keeps pulling me back in. Even acknowledging my lackluster skills, I can’t stop trying. There’s an addictive element here, and I genuinely enjoy the time spent with it, even if I’m no better at it. If you’re a fan of games like Escape from Tarkov and are intrigued by the idea of a single-player twist, this might be for you. Those seeking intense challenges will also find it enticing. If you’re not in either category, brace for a rough ride. Sure, there’s an easy mode, but that seems to defeat the purpose.
All things considered, ZERO Sievert is a solid game, but it requires a specific mindset. It’s not for casual play or a relaxing night with friends. This is stress incarnate, tied with a bow. If a compact nightmare is your idea of fun, you’re in for a treat; if not, maybe give it a miss.
