Summary
Survival games have come a long way since the early 2000s revolution led by titles likeSilent Hill 2andResident Evil 4, and the wheel of change is continuing to roll thanks to the influx of developers, indie and AAA alike, into the genre. While early survival-themed titles relied on tropes such as zombie hunting and evading the bloodlust of supernatural creatures, the focus of newer games such asSons of the Forestis bringing a new flavor to fans of the category.Sons of the Forest’s premise of being stuck on an island with cannibals lurking at every turn evoked a stellar experience for gamers, and there are similar ideas set to hit the scene through upcoming entries likeSerum.
Although cannibalism isn’t a particularly new theme in gaming when considering the impact of zombies, few—if any—titles have made it a trait of sentient enemies in the waySons of the Foresthas done, and the breath of fresh air has yielded considerable fruit for Endnight Games. Aside from the eccentric attraction, the virtual survival world is also rife with mutations, including theendgame’s Creepy Virginia, a phenomenon that keeps players on their toes regarding strategy. Given the title’s success, it was only a matter of time before other developers followed in Endnight Games' footsteps, andSerum’s similar mutation premise could be worth a try in the coming months for fans ofSons of the Forest.
Serum’s Survival Story Draws Parallels to Sons of the Forest
WhereSons of the Forestkicked off its tale with the riveting sight of a plane crash,Serumbegins instead with the player gaining consciousness in a sewer with the makings of an apocalyptic event scattered everywhere across the environment. A plague known as the Blight has brought the world to its knees, and survival in this infected climate hinges on a strange liquid called serum.
Timed Gameplay and Intense Searching Mechanics Adds Tension to Serum
A timer on the protagonist’s arm, reminiscent ofFar Cry 7’s rumored time limitmechanic, also adds to the tension by detailing how long the character has left to live. Players can buy more time for their characters by either brewing or finding the serum while exploring the map to stave off the Blight’s effects.
However, finding serums isn’t necessarily a walk in the park, and gamers need to gather resources quickly to build weapons like axes and spears to battle against the menacing mutated creatures roaming the streets. Doses of serum can do more than extend the timer, as their side effects can give abilities that can make all the difference in a playthrough. InSerum’s recent trailer, publisher Toplitz Productions showcased a range of techniques stemming from unique serum recipes, and these teasers could create a host of playstyles for players to explore.
Some displayed combinations boost the character’s speed and ability to ambush through camouflage, while others add a special effect called Tether, which gives players an advantage by momentarily trapping enemies in vines.
Serum Blends Crafting and Mystery
Additionally, following the trend in the survival genre,Serumalso features crafting elements as part of its identity. Given the game’s focus, the most essential component involving the crafting mechanism might be serum brewing, but there are other things players can apply their resources towards. For instance, most new-age survival games imbibe a healthy dosage of base building, as seen ingames likeSons of the ForestandValheim, andSerumtoes the same line.
Also, there’s an element of mystery waiting to be uncovered inSerum, as gamers can discover clues about the past while gathering precious survival elements. Instead of facing the unfriendly environment impacted by the Blight alone, players can enlist the help of other players in an online co-op mode. Themultiplayer mode is one ofSons of the Forest’s better selling points, andSerumadding this feature could help fans of the cannibal-focused game feel at home in the infected universe when it launches in Early Access.
