Despite frequent speculation that Half-Life 3 might still, one day, be real, it's probably best not to get our hopes up for now. What we did get in 2024, however, is Abiotic Factor, the magnificent survival game from Deep Field Games that feels heavily influenced by Valve's epochal scientific FPS. Its overwhelmingly positive Steam rating shows that 96% of player reviews recommend Abiotic Factor, meaning that even during early access it's well worth getting some friends together to try it out. Now, the developer gives us a deep dive into its next major update, which is taking us down into the terrifying depths of the reactors.
The survival game, which is teased as a place where the Old Ones lie. "It's entirely classified," Deep Field teases, "and even if it weren't you would surely go mad thinking about it." Sounds deliciously Lovecraftian to me.
Of course, you'll need some more gear to take on the dangers you'll face. There are several new ammo types, including options for "some of the weapons that have fallen out of style, and some weapons that are not yet introduced." There will be more explosives including "a plethora of throwable 'grenades' to fling at unsuspecting foes." We get a look at one of these, which appears to create a localized gravity vortex that sucks in any nearby objects. Finally, there's what looks to be a guided rocket launcher that will steer towards whatever you're targeting mid-flight – another loving nod to its Half-Life equivalent, most likely.
Along with the new areas and weapons are more additional features to uncover. You'll now be able to directly interact with traders, and a new traveling trader can be found. There's also another way to cleanse Infected Corn. On top of those, Deep Field has previously teased a new two-way teleportation option, hardlight bridge technology, and an Inhibitor unit that can be powered up to block one specific type of enemy from appearing nearby. All of these are now due to arrive with the Dark Energy patch.
Rounding out the preview, Deep Field shares an internal (in-game) memo warning of dangerous readings in an abandoned mine. "We can't get down there, but every instrument here just peaked for about 30 seconds. Like something huge just came through. I can't read the data too clearly, but it maps to signatures from 299? Whatever it was, it was bigger than anything I've ever seen. There's rumbling, like something's moving down there, but we can't get close."
The Abiotic Factor Dark Energy update launches on Tuesday February 4. Next on the Abiotic Factor roap is set to be the Cold Fusion update, which is planned to coincide with the full 1.0 release of the game and introduce the final chapter of its main narrative.
While you wait for the update to land, grab your friends and check out even more of the best crafting games on PC in 2025.
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