You play as Jack Leary, played by Roger Clarke, an engineer who responds to a routine distress call coming from the titular mining facility known as Fort Solis. After a short hike on the Red Planet’s soil, you arrive in the facility, only to quickly realize that something is not quite right, primarily because it’s entirely abandoned. The first hour or so of Fort Solis is definitely a slow burn, with a lot of time being spent on picking up new clues and pieces of the story that murkily fill in some vague details about the work that was being done by the people stationed in Fort Solis, and how it may have led to whatever went wrong here. The tidbits that it does dole out in that opening hour do an effective job of reeling you in, and once the story gets going, it doesn’t let up until the end.

"Fort Solis is an engaging experience from start to finish, and though it doesn’t necessarily set new standards for narrative-driven games – or walking sims, so to speak – it does succeed in almost everything it sets out to do."

Chiefly responsible for that is the game’s incredible star cast, which I mentioned previously. Roger Clarke, who played Red Dead Redemption 2 protagonist Arthur Morgan, and Troy Baker, who has a litany of iconic roles in the medium, are joined by Julia Brown in her first role in a game, and all three knock it out of the park. The camaraderie between Jack, the protagonist, and Jessica is at the core of a lot of what Fort Solis does, storytelling-wise, and the relationship between the two characters is sold very effectively here. It helps, of course, that the characters themselves are instantly likeable here. Meanwhile, the wildcard of Wyatt Taylor, Baker’s character, sets the narrative’s fuse alight when he’s introduced, and remains a highlight of the experience from that point forward.

There are some occasions in the first half of the game where some of the light-hearted friendly banter between Jack and Julia feels like it’s tonally clashing with the events of the story, and with what kind of frame of mind you’d imagine Jack would be in given the situation he finds himself in, but by and large, the writing is solid, the dialogue is snappy, and all of it is very well acted. That last bit in particular really shines through thanks to the excellent performance and motion capture work done by the developers in Fort Solis, with cutscenes capturing the nuances and mannerisms of the characters and their faces in impressive detail.

Those high production values can be found in other aspects of the experience as well, from its strong audio design, which contributes significantly to the eerie and unsettling vibe of the whole experience, to the impressive visuals. Fort Solis does a great job, on a technical level, of bringing its art design to life. The facility feels like a real, lived-in space and is brimming with a great deal of detail. Whether you’re exploring some of its cleaner, more pristine interiors, parts of it that are more run-down and have accumulated wear and tear, or even its immediate exterior, where you can see the red environments of Mars, Fort Solis consistently looks great. And barring some minor audio glitches and that made some of the dialogue sound a little distorted on a couple of occasions, I didn’t run into any technical issues either.

"By and large, the writing is solid, the dialogue is snappy, and all of it is very well acted."

Something else that also cements Fort Solis’ narrative strengths is the game’s strong sense of place and atmosphere. This is not a horror game, in spite of what its early showings may have suggested to some, but there are definitely some strong horror-esque vibes here. Fort Solis is, on paper, a psychological thriller, and a lot of that ends up going hand-in-hand with how well it builds up its atmosphere. Exploring the abandoned, isolated interiors of a station on Mars with a number of its systems failing, all while furious and hostile sandstorms rage outside on the Red Planet- that creates a very strong and very distinct aesthetic that elevates the experience even further. And as the story progresses and gathers pace, that atmosphere only continues to grow stronger.

Most of what I’ve talked about in this review has revolved around Fort Solis’ story and storytelling, because frankly, that’s the vast, vast majority of this experience. Fort Solis is very light on gameplay. That is, of course, by design- with developer Fallen Leaf’s single-minded focus being the cinematic and narrative experience on offer here, you shouldn’t be heading into the game expecting a strong mechanical foundation or a ton of interesting gameplay.

From its first second to its last, Fort Solis keeps things simple. The vast majority of the game involves walking through environments, interacting with and picking up objects, and reading emails, watching video recordings, and listening to audio logs. There are some optional collectibles that you can track down in the form of posters, and there’s the occasional puzzle here and there, though calling them “series of linear button pushes” instead of “puzzles” would be more accurate. All of it is very simple and straightforward, and does exactly what it’s supposed to do. It keeps things nicely moving along and facilitates the main drive of the experience- the story.

"Fort Solis is very light on gameplay. That is, of course, by design- with developer Fallen Leaf’s single-minded focus being the cinematic and narrative experience on offer here, you shouldn’t be heading into the game expecting a strong mechanical foundation or a ton of interesting gameplay."

There are, however, some issues with the gameplay experience that can be problematic. On the most fundamental level, movement in Fort Solis isn’t great. It’s heavy and lumbering, and more often than not, feels unresponsive. Its slow and plodding nature can not only be a bit frustrating at times, it can also make exploration feel a bit too plodding. Those who don’t like forced slow walking in games will probably be perennially annoyed while playing Fort Solis. Meanwhile, navigating the facility can also get a bit confusing at times. Fort Solis is quite compact, and it’s quite linear, but even so, the poor signposting in the environments themselves and the very unintuitive and unhelpful in-game map can make for the odd moment of meandering confusion every now and then.

It’s a good thing, then, that gameplay is very much not the focus in Fort Solis, because even though it can be an issue at times, at the end of the day, it’s just the conduit through which the game is telling its story- which, after all, is where it really excels. At just 4-5 hours long, Fort Solis is a brief experience, but it fills up that runtime very effectively, thanks to a compelling story, high, cinematic production values, strong acting performances, and excellent atmosphere. If you’re looking for a strong narrative experience, or if you’re a fan of science fiction settings, Fallen Leaf’s debut outing is well worth a look.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

It’s unclear exactly what’s happening, but Leary must find out what happened. Julia Brown’s character provides support over the radio, and the incident seems to involve medical officer Wyatt Taylor (played by Troy Baker of The Last of Us fame). The story takes place over four chapters with no camera cuts, loading times or HUD, and the visuals look stunning, thanks to Unreal Engine 5.

Fort Solis launches on August 22nd for PS5 and PC. Check out some more extensive gameplay here. It’s not confirmed for Xbox, but game director James Tinsdale says the team wants to release it for “any and every audience.” Stay tuned for more updates in the future and check out our interview with the developer here.

Showcasing a section from the beginning of the game, the video kicks into chapter 1 of the story early on, and shows protagonist Jack (played by Roger Clarke of Red Dead Redemption fame) arriving at the titular Fort Solis and finding the base completely deserted. The gameplay does a solid job of giving a taste of the sort of QTE sections, exploration, narrative focus, and atmosphere you can expect from the game. Check it out below.

Fort Solis launches on August 22 for PS5 and PC. For more details on the game, make sure to read our interview with game director James Tinsdale.

Co-developer Fallen Leaf Studio has announced via a Twitter post that Fort Solis has gone gold. With the game’s master code now ready and sealed, any and all work Fallen Leaf Studio and Black Drakkar Games should continue to do on the game will likely arrive in the form of pre-launch or day one updates.

Fort Solis is due out on August 22 for PS5 and PC, though game director James Tinsdale has suggested that an Xbox Series X/S version will be explored following the game’s release. Head on over here to read our interview with Tinsdale for more details on the game.

https://twitter.com/FallenLeafSA/status/1682416615189561345

"Early in the process we gravitated towards horror elements to help reflect the events and emotion of the evening, but as the game developed it felt much more natural to move towards a mystery thriller tone. This helped retain focus on our character development and their progression in relation to the events of the narrative rather than queuing up jump scares to help relieve tension."

Clearly, Fort Solis is blending horror with its sci-fi setting, but what’s the style of horror that the game is attempting? Is it a story that very much puts an emphasis on where its central mystery is concerned, or would you describe it as primarily a character-driven tale that also features some horror elements?

When we first set out to build the theme and tone of Fort Solis, we focused on finding moments and atmosphere that best served as a companion to the narrative. We isolated our biggest moments and looked further at other media to help associate how the presentation should be blended.

Early in the process we gravitated towards horror elements to help reflect the events and emotion of the evening, but as the game developed it felt much more natural to move towards a mystery thriller tone. This helped retain focus on our character development and their progression in relation to the events of the narrative rather than queuing up jump scares to help relieve tension.

Our emphasis remains on the central mystery and understanding the motivations behind the characters’ actions rather than presenting horror moments. That’s not to say there isn’t an accompanying tone, we just felt through dialogue and character action, those moments can be much more gratifying when delivered through the backdrop of the tone rather than bringing it to focus.

What can you tell us about Fort Solis’ choice and consequence mechanics? What kind of decisions will players be making throughout the experience, and how radically will the story be altered based on those choices?

When we originally looked at choice and consequence within Fort Solis, we started down a path of exploring multiple outcomes and options. We spent time looking at the value of multiple outcomes and how that could add or dilute our core story.

We decided to move more in the direction of The Last of Us or God of War where player input results in an action relative to that choice, but it doesn’t create branching narratives. We wanted to tell a tight story and one that’s focused on delivering the tone and beats we set out to make. With this in mind, we do not have narrative trees or dialogue options. We feel this is Jack’s story, just like Joel in the hospital in The Last of Us, during our biggest moments we wanted Jack to act true to his character and for it to remain his story.

With no HUD, no camera cuts, and no load screens, Fort Solis is putting a great deal of emphasis on immersing players in its world and its story. How challenging has it been to consistently execute on those ideas throughout the experience and ensure that it’s a single, seamless experience?

We set out to make a game that took the existing narrative genre and moved it closer to the production of Netflix, Amazon, or any of our favourite streaming service shows. Within the game industry medium we have the tool of immersion at our disposal and it’s something we really wanted to maximise through our systems.

With no HUD, camera cuts or load screens we challenged ourselves to create an experience that immerses players in the story and the events unfolding in front of them. We wanted everything to be present physically in the world. Content can be consumed within the world space via the Multi Tool device. We want the player to live in the world as Jack does and create logical boundaries to his capabilities and surroundings. This helps further ground the character in the role of an engineer whilst adding to the immersion of the experience.

A great example would be Silent Hill’s P.T. You are simply walking through a corridor but the fact you must instigate that action adds a level of tension and suspense that film or TV can’t provide. We wanted to capture that feeling at every opportunity throughout Fort Solis.

"With no HUD, camera cuts or load screens we challenged ourselves to create an experience that immerses players in the story and the events unfolding in front of them. We wanted everything to be present physically in the world."

Starring the likes of Roger Clark, Troy Baker, and Julia Brown, Fort Solis boasts an impressive cast of actors. What has the experience of working with them been like, and what have they brought to the table where their characters and the story are concerned?

From the very start of the journey, we knew that the story we wanted to tell was intense and at its core, very human. We had to reach out and speak to actors we knew could not only handle the source material but ultimately iterate, bring more to it, and perhaps even leave a piece of themselves in Fort Solis. 

Roger already had a lead role in Read Dead Redemption 2, with his background in theatre we knew that he was a perfect choice. I really love theatre and even in the darkest moments, theatre actors always find relatable ways to show humility to live crowds. This is something that comes across in Roger’s voice perfectly. It was fantastic to work with Roger on Jack’s body language, expressions, reactions, even the weight of his walk.

Beyond our lead role we knew we wanted to add someone who could bring Jess alive whether it’s on comms or elsewhere. Julia initially auditioned for the role with such energy and tenacity it really felt like I was talking to Jess. So much so we used Julia’s likeness and original accent.

Having already worked on TV, Julia really understood what we were trying to achieve and where we wanted to go. Working with her at the mocap shoot was a great experience. I will always look back and feel how much Julia helped improve our game and bring the performance to life. The way Julia was able to work with Roger and elevate our scenes really created something special that I can’t wait to share later this year.

Once we had the core cast, we had to add our last piece. Troy is a phenomenal actor and someone we really felt could take on our most conflicted character Wyatt Taylor. Troy’s vast experience over several amazing roles helped not only shape the character over the years but add empathy to a vessel in a way we hadn’t planned for previously. From talking medical jargon, to stunts, to calls throughout the project, Troy was able to really come together with Roger and Julia and create a special dynamic that as a director, is such a humbling experience.

I couldn’t be prouder of the cast and their performances. Where we landed is pretty special and I can’t wait for others to witness it!

Where the gameplay is concerned, how is the game structured? Will it be presented to players as a series of levels, or does it adopt a more freeform approach that puts an emphasis on exploration?

The game has a traditional chapter structure in terms of progression, but the location is always open form. All chapters occur at the Fort Solis location and the journey of Jack will take the player throughout all locations. The base itself is fully open whilst not immediately, the player will have to discover how to progress through the lower levels and emerge at the surface.

The structure follows similar paths as The Last of Us or God of War but obviously on a much smaller scale. We allow the player to explore the whole location. Doors will be locked, environments will be puzzles, and various other aspects have the aim of keeping the tension and story moving along. Players are free to explore, gain materials, and participate in interactions at each location. They can even revisit rooms and areas later at their leisure to grab missed content. We are embracing the freeform approach and inviting players to investigate the mystery at their own pace.

What should players expect from Fort Solis where things such as its combat and puzzles are concerned?

Combat and puzzles are always a tricky pacing tool when dealing with the narrative genre. Having too many or too difficult puzzles can become frustrating and immersion breaking. Too much combat dilutes the seriousness of the more intense moments. So, you must look for a balance.

In terms of systems, we have no combat systems. We have physical altercations throughout the game, but they will play out with player participation. This is hopefully designed to make them more meaningful when they do occur, as well as more impactful. They serve to further the story and add stakes to the characters.

Our puzzles are applied to logical moments and can be something as simple as finding power to a door, turning on servers, or more complex moments. These exist to make the mundane feel immersive. This comes back to our core concept of immersing players in this very realised world and trying to add practicality to Jack’s actions.

"I couldn’t be prouder of the cast and their performances. Where we landed is pretty special and I can’t wait for others to witness it."

Roughly how long will an average playthrough of the game be?

As an indie development team, we must be realistic about our resources and budget. It would be great to flesh out a 20-hour experience, but the game has been designed with scope in mind from the beginning. We always wanted to make something that felt in keeping with the shows we consume at home. Whether that’s in one night, two sittings or more, players will feel like they just finished a show.

Hopefully once the player has finished Fort Solis they feel the quality, storytelling, and performance was a great time investment. A lot of time went into figuring out how long the experience should be? How long can you watch a show without it overstaying its welcome? I think we landed in a really great place with other titles within our genre like Stray.

We placed a big emphasis on quality over quantity, and felt we landed in a great place reflective of something like the Chernobyl series, running around 4-5 hours.

After announcing it as a PC title, you recently confirmed that Fort Solis will also be launching for PS5. Do you have plans to eventually bring the game to Xbox as well?

We are always looking to bring Fort Solis to any and every audience we can. We recently announced the title will be coming to Mac and we will continue to work with external partners to explore avenues and platforms for future releases.

Starring Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption 2), Julia Brown (World on Fire) and Troy Baker (The Last of Us), it takes place on a Mars mining facility that has suddenly gone dark. As engineer Jack Leary, players undertake a routine inspection, only to find the crew missing and bizarre events occurring. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, Fort Solis has no HUD, load times or camera cuts.

Fallen Leaf game director James Tinsdale said, “With Fort Solis, we wanted the setting to be a character. Sci-fi horror is host to many of cinema’s greatest, most chilling settings. Like Alien‘s Nostromo or Solaris’ titular vessel, we wanted Fort Solis to create its own hostile tone, a derelict mining station barraged by a sandstorm. The environments in Fort Solis are integral to the story we’re telling, so bringing it to life was among our top priorities.”

Interestingly, the developers revealed that Fort Solis plays out across four chapters, so you can go one chapter at a time or binge them all in a single session. As for whether it will ever come to Xbox, Tinsdale told us that the team is looking to Fort Solis to “any and every audience we can.” Check out his full response here.

Upon its announcement, Fort Solis was confirmed to be a PC-only title, while earlier this year, a PS5 version was also confirmed (followed shortly by a Mac announcement). In a recent interview with GamingBolt, game director James Tinsdale also revealed that though an Xbox version hasn’t yet been announced, the developers would like to bring the game to “any and every audience” they can.

“We are always looking to bring Fort Solis to any and every audience we can,” Tinsdale told GamingBolt when asked about a potential Xbox version. “We recently announced the title will be coming to Mac and we will continue to work with external partners to explore avenues and platforms for future releases.”

Of course, how long after the game’s initial release it’ll be before it arrives on Xbox remains to be seen, but if you’re on Microsoft’s console, you can at least rest assured that the game will eventually become available to you.

Fort Solis is set to launch sometime this Summer, but doesn’t yet have a specific release date announced. Stay tuned for our full interview with game director James Tinsdale for more details on the game.

The story focuses on engineer Jack Leary (Roger Clark of Red Dead Redemption 2 fame), who investigates a routine alarm from Fort Solis. When he arrives, it’s clear that things have gone wrong. Jessica Appleton (Julia Brown) provides support over the radio, but Leary is definitely in danger.

It also stars Troy Baker (The Last of Us), who plays suspicious medical officer Wyatt Taylor. Whatever is going on, Leary must investigate areas and learn more about what happened.

Fort Solis plays with no HUD, camera cuts or load times and has multiple endings based on one’s decisions. Developed on Unreal Engine 5, it’s looked quite good so far. Stay tuned for a release date in the coming months.

Fallen Leaf game director James Tinsdale said, “We’re all fans of hard sci-fi and horror, so with Fort Solis, we wanted to create a tense, classic sci-fi tale that players are free to piece together at their own pace. To us, immersion was the key factor here, and we’re very proud of all the work our team and our collaborators have done in bringing Fort Solis to life. It’s such a fully realized, lived-in place, and we’re thrilled for everyone to discover it when it launches later this year.”

Guillaume Jamet, head of publishing at Dear Villagers, added, “Dear Villagers seeks to bring people new and engaging experiences, and Fort Solis is exactly that. We’re so happy to have partnered with Fallen Leaf, as Fort Solis offers such a unique mix of narrative-driven adventure, open-ended exploration, immersive sim interaction, and a chilling, ominous atmosphere. We love its vision, and are confident you will too!”

Fort Solis is about Jack Leary (played by Roger Clark), an engineer who arrives at the titular station on Mars to investigate a routine alarm. However, there’s no staff other than medical officer Wyatt Taylor (Troy Baker), and things only get stranger as the night rolls on. Leary must investigate the station and its various areas to discover what happened to everyone.

Utilizing Unreal Engine 5, Fort Solis features no HUD and plays out with zero load times or camera cuts. There are also multiple endings, with each action having consequences. Stay tuned for more details and gameplay in the coming months.

The story focuses on medical officer Wyatt Taylor (played by Baker) and engineer Jack Leary (played by Clark). The latter investigates a routine alarm at Fort Solis but becomes perturbed by the lack of staff. Things only get weirder as the night rolls on. As for Taylor, he’ll seemingly be at odds with Leary, though his overall role in this is unknown.

Fort Solis offers one location with nine different structures to explore. The bigger plot points have several different outcomes and each action can greatly impact the story. It’s all very intriguing but a release date has yet to be revealed. Stay tuned in the meantime.