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About April '86
April '86 is a first-person adventure game set in the real-life abandoned city of Pripyat near Chernobyl. Blazes Games developed it as a spooky, low-budget thriller with a focus on eerie atmosphere and environmental storytelling. Released in late 2026 for PC, it tasks players with navigating dilapidated buildings, uncovering fragmented memories, and piecing together a mystery tied to the Chernobyl disaster. The game leans heavily on audio cues and visual decay to build tension, with no combat or combat-like mechanics. It’s a short, linear experience designed to evoke unease through stillness and suggestion.
Gameplay
You explore Pripyat by moving through decaying apartments, schools, and hotels, using a flashlight to cut through darkness. Puzzles are minimal, mostly involving opening doors or activating generators to progress. The camera occasionally glitches to distorted monochrome, hinting at hidden events. Sounds like whispers and distant sirens punctuate the silence, often without visual triggers. You collect fragmented documents and audio logs to understand the protagonist’s personal connection to the setting. The controls are basic, with a focus on slow, deliberate movement. Sessions average 45 minutes to an hour, but the game rarely lets you feel at ease.
What Players Think
PlayPile community ratings average 84%, with 72% completing the game. Average playtime is 5.2 hours. Mood tags include “curious” (48%), “tense” (61%), and “thoughtful” (33%). Critics gave it a 82/100, praising its mood but calling the story “underdeveloped.” One review noted, “The atmosphere lingers long after the credits, but the lack of interactivity makes it feel like a walking simulator with a strong concept.” Achievement completion rates are high for most tasks but drop for the final “Truth Revealed” achievement, which requires backtracking.
PlayPile's Take
April '86 is a niche pick at $29.99. It rewards patience and a taste for slow-burn horror, but its lack of interactivity and short length may leave some unimpressed. The 22 achievements add minor incentive, though the final one is frustratingly obtuse. Best for fans of minimalist, atmospheric games like A Short Hike or Gone Home. Not a must-play, but its haunting setting and $30 price make it a low-risk experiment in spooky ambiance.
Game Modes
Single player
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