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A normal maintenance check at a Mars base sounds boring and monotonous. Fort Solis takes that premise and revs up the suspense to create an engaging sci-fi narrative. Join Jack Hardy and Jessica Appleton as they investigate the titular Fort Solis. What is supposed to be a routine inspection uncovers a dark secret at the fort, and both characters must find a way to escape. The dynamic between Jack and Jessica stands out, as the character development between the two feels genuine, like a real-life relationship. The story skillfully builds the suspense and gradually provides details to enhance the immersive experience. Unfortunately, several elements of the game are confusing, such as the story being too short, with crucial details left unexplained. Fort Solis is a game that is great for a short playthrough but might be less memorable than some might hope.
Story: Repair Mission Gone Horribly Wrong
Fort Solis begins on a routine repair mission on Mars. Jack and Jessica are colleagues working together, finishing up regular maintenance, but are interrupted by an alarm for assistance coming from Fort Solis. Thinking it is a routine check, Jack heads off to investigate but finds the base mysteriously abandoned. What should be a simple errand turns into a mystery as Jack and Jessica learn about the events that occurred prior.
The storytelling in Fort Solis is done well by contrasting expectations and reality. It’s clear that something is not right with Fort Solis, but you are never explicitly told what it is. To Jack and Jessica, this is a routine repair trip, and it’s probably as simple as someone having fallen asleep on the job. But it just might be something more mysterious. That contrast drives you to find out what is wrong, continuing forward even when you know it’s a bad idea.
The intrigue is dialed up thanks to the relationship between the two main protagonists. Jack and Jessica have a solid synergy between them, with believable conversations breathing life into each scene. From snarking at each other to offering genuine support, the duo makes it feel like you’re never alone. It’s great to experience two characters having a strong relationship, clearly building off each other for support.
Piecing Together The Mission In Silence
Despite the initial vibes, Fort Solis isn’t an action-packed game. You mostly walk around the fort trying to find out what’s happening. Though there are some intense scenes, gameplay is mostly exploration-based. You figure out where you must go and solve a few puzzles along the way. Since the story is the main focus, the narrative takes center stage than puzzles or other mechanics.
The story isn’t told to you in clear-cut dialogues; instead, it’s conveyed through objects you find. While Jack and Jessica verbally provide most of the explanation, you must search around to learn about the backstories of environments and characters. This is a double-edged sword, as it encourages exploration and discovery but means it’s possible to miss out on essential details.
The gameplay also runs into some issues that hamper the story’s potential. The inability to run makes the game feel sluggish and takes more time than necessary. While traversal doesn’t feel unusual initially, it makes less sense as the game progresses. Once the mystery starts unfolding, the lack of urgency in the characters’ movements seems noticeably peculiar. As a result, even under pressure, the protagonists never act or move as quickly as expected.
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There are also puzzles that make sense within the setting but don’t have clear directions. The UI isn’t always clear about where you should go or what you should do next. Some are easy to guess, but others are less obvious. Coupled with a map that is hard to see on the PlayStation 5, it’s a recipe for frustration. Instructions aren’t always clear, and there isn’t a method to point you in the right direction.
Fortunately, these issues don’t impede the story too much, as you still can understand what’s going on. But they are prominent enough that you feel frustration despite what should be a relatively linear experience. Finishing the game isn’t difficult, but going back for a second playthrough will be out of the question. There isn’t enough content to return to unless you are a completionist or trophy hunter.
Perfect Atmosphere For A Space Thriller
Fort Solis is a game that has impressive graphical visuals, and its sci-fi designs expertly depict the technology necessary to survive on Mars. It also contrasts with the interior environments, which feel like regular offices on Earth. While technology has advanced significantly, you will recognize simple objects that appropriately reflect the day-to-day life of its past occupants.
Every environment and object has excellent attention to detail, making the world feel realistic and believable. Exploring the surface of Mars, even briefly, puts you up against powerful storms. The level of attention and care put into these elements really makes you feel like you’re exploring a different planet.
The audio in Fort Solis isn’t as notable as its visuals, and that’s by design. It ramps the tension up to indicate something crucial is about to happen. When you hear sound effects, they are fierce, sharp, or sudden. Those playing on a PlayStation 5 controller also will have a cool radio mechanic to listen to voices. It might sometimes feel like an echo chamber, but it does immerse you in the moment.
Short & Sharp Narrative
Even without introducing any supernatural or sci-fi horror elements, Fort Solis manages to raise the tension and terrify you. That contrast between the characters’ ignorance and the player’s knowledge of the fourth wall heightens the thrill, making you eager to find out when something goes wrong. It’s a great way to hook you in because you simultaneously anticipate and dread Jack & Jessica’s expectations being shattered.
One downside of the story is its length, which wraps up quickly. A short story length isn’t bad, but some parts of the story could use clarification. For example, what is the ultimate goal of the work at Fort Solis, and why was it important? Apart from some brief mentions, some unclear details certainly stand out. As they aren’t minor, it feels like some additional length to the game could have clarified them.
As a result, you are left with several questions that need answers. This is especially true towards the ending, where some events don’t make sense given what you know. Doing some more exposition would have helped wrap up loose ends and create a stronger story. It feels like the thriller’s potential was let down by the story, which is a shame considering its powerful beginning. Since it’s easy to miss vital story points if you don’t explore thoroughly, filling in some of the blanks would have helped significantly.
Fort Solis is a game that you will remember for the suspense it instills and the immersion it conveys. The environments are beautiful and stunning, reflecting the technological future on Mars. By highlighting the relationship between Jack and Jessica, you never truly feel alone. While the game does have its flaws, it doesn’t completely overshadow the thrilling experience. It’s a story where the heightened tension and emotions manage to cover up the flaws of the game. But when you calm down and think about what you experienced, you can’t help but notice that some aspects could have been better.
Fort Solis is available on PlayStation 5, and PC (Reviewed)
Review copy given by the publisher.
