TL;DR
You're a clone on a derelict spaceship, facing deranged duplicates and a black hole's gravitational pull. The Persistence offers a unique roguelike twist with its cloning mechanic and procedurally shifting ship layout, making each death feel impactful and demanding constant adaptation. You'll scavenge, upgrade gear, and even unlock new characters with special abilities. However, dated graphics and simplistic enemy AI hold this promising sci-fi horror back. The early game can be frustrating due to weapon limitations and resource management. Discover if its innovative ideas overcome its technical shortcomings. Read on for the full review!
You awaken alone on your spaceship; the ship’s computer is your only companion. Shortly after, you encounter your own deceased body. As a clone, you represent the ship’s last hope for repair and a return to Earth. However, you are not alone; the vessel is populated by deranged clones who pose a deadly threat. Welcome to The Persistence.
The initial trailer evoked a sense of playing within a dangerous, sci-fi setting reminiscent of the film Event Horizon. Consequently, the arrival of the review copy generated considerable anticipation. However, that initial enthusiasm was somewhat tempered—but let’s first address the positive aspects of The Persistence.
Leveraging the cloning premise, the game incorporates a mechanic that logically explains repeated deaths and resurrections. Death doesn’t simply equate to a replay; time progresses, and the character’s mounting frustration mirrors the player’s. Another compelling element is the ship’s proximity to a black hole, inducing a state of constant flux that dynamically alters the ship’s layout upon each death. This offers a creative twist on the roguelike genre with procedurally generated levels, demanding continuous map awareness. Standard genre conventions are present, including resource collection for equipment upgrades and utilizing a replicator to fabricate helpful gadgets. Further progression allows cloning and playing as other characters, each possessing unique skills beneficial to the mission. These aspects are promising, but…
The graphical fidelity presents a notable issue. Reviewing the six-year-old Alien: Isolation upon its Switch release revealed surprisingly well-preserved graphics. Therefore, it was unexpected that the visuals in the contemporary The Persistence appear comparatively dated. The graphics exhibit a stripped-down and simplistic aesthetic, lacking the expected level of detail. Textures appear blocky, and the enemy AI is arguably less sophisticated than that of Borderlands. Furthermore, shield impacts trigger the same animation sequence repetitively, with enemies consistently backing away and exposing their necks for Stem Cell weapon attacks.
While upgrades are a welcome feature, the initial experience is hampered by the limitations of the starting weapon – a stem cell collector primarily functioning as a weapon of last resort. Acquiring a pistol with a mere six-bullet capacity is a significant step up. However, death results in its loss, necessitating the unlocking of a replacement, which requires first locating the corresponding blueprints.
The dynamically shifting ship layout is a compelling concept, but it arguably necessitates a less punishing initial equipment acquisition system (prior to unlocking persistent upgrades). The current implementation results in considerable early-game frustration.
In conclusion, The Persistence presents an intriguing premise that is undermined by a mediocre execution. Consequently, the game receives a passing grade, but falls short of a stronger recommendation.
Footnote: The Persistence features VR support on PS4 and PC, potentially enhancing the overall gaming experience.
