Biomutant

Biomutant is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective. The player controls a customizable anthropomorphic creature, with options for breed, class, and attributes such as strength, agility, and intellect. Combat combines melee weapons, firearms, and mutant abilities like telekinesis and elemental powers. The game features a morality system that influences the story's outcome, with choices aligning to "Light" or "Dark" paths. Exploration is central, with a vast open world that includes varied biomes, from lush forests to arid deserts. The game also incorporates crafting, allowing players to modify weapons and gear using parts found throughout the world. A unique "tribal" system lets the player ally with or against different factions, affecting the narrative and available missions.

Biomutant was developed by Experiment 101, a Swedish studio founded by former Avalanche Studios employees, including creative director Stefan Ljungqvist. The game was announced in 2017 and was initially planned for release in 2018, but was delayed multiple times. It was published by THQ Nordic, which acquired the studio in 2018. The development team aimed to create a game with a unique visual style, inspired by martial arts films and the works of Hayao Miyazaki. The game's world was designed to be fully explorable without loading screens, using a streaming technology. Biomutant was released on May 25, 2021, for PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One. A free next-generation update for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S was released in September 2021, offering improved performance and graphical enhancements.

Biomutant received mixed reviews from critics, with an aggregate score of around 67/100 on Metacritic. Critics praised the game's vibrant art direction, which was often compared to a "kung-fu fable," and the satisfying combat system. However, the narrative was widely criticized for its overbearing narrator, who constantly describes the protagonist's actions, and for a story that many found shallow and predictable. The game's open world was noted for its visual variety but was also criticized for repetitive side activities and a lack of meaningful exploration rewards. Despite the mixed reception, Biomutant sold over one million copies within its first month, indicating strong commercial performance. The game was nominated for several awards, including "Best Role-Playing Game" at the 2021 Game Awards, though it did not win.

Biomutant features a unique "tribal" system that allows the player to influence the game's world by allying with or against six different tribes, each with its own ideology and aesthetic. The game's protagonist is fully customizable, with a detailed character creator that adjusts physical traits like fur color, body shape, and even the character's "mutations" that affect gameplay. The game includes a "Psy" system, which grants abilities like telekinesis and mind control, but these are often overlooked in favor of combat skills. The world of Biomutant is populated by "Old World" ruins, referencing human civilization, and the game's lore is delivered through collectible "Memory" orbs. The game's soundtrack, composed by Alexander Stoyanov, blends orchestral and electronic elements, and was released as a separate album. Additionally, the game's development was notable for its small team size, with Experiment 101 consisting of around 30 people, a factor that contributed to its extended development time.

Worldeater

A giant creature in Biomutant that threatens the world's balance.

Psy abilities

Supernatural powers in Biomutant, such as telekinesis and mind control.

Tribes

Factions in Biomutant that the player can ally with or oppose.