Krater

Lore & Background

Krater was developed by Fatshark following the studio's moderate success after developing Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West and other titles. The game was released in 2012 via Steam. On 29 May 2012, the Krater $10,000 Victor Edition was announced, in which game designer Victor Magnuson delivered the video game to the buyer personally, cooked a meal, and played the game.

Gameplay centers on a team of gas-masked survivalists in a post-apocalyptic Sweden scoured by nuclear war. Players command up to three characters from four classes—Bruiser (tank), Medikus (healer), Slayer (short-range DPS), and Regulator (long-range DPS)—along with their mutated variants. The team always attacks together, but individual members can be reassigned to other targets. Each character has up to two fixed skills that are cooldown-dependent. There is no traditional leveling system; instead, characters are enhanced via stat-modifying implants. Permanent death occurs: when a party member dies, they must be replaced with a new recruit. Reserve members can be purchased.

The crafting system relies on acquiring blueprints and gathering materials. Blueprints are found by looting dungeons or purchasing from vendors.

Reader's Guide

Krater received mixed reviews from critics upon release, holding a Metacritic score of 52/100 based on 36 reviews, indicating 'mixed or average reviews'. Critics praised the game for its unique storytelling and setting, easy learning curve, and its crafting and character development. However, reviewers also stated that the game needed improvement with balancing in combat, uninteresting quest design, and too few skills and customization. The game's significance lies in its attempt to blend squad-based real-time strategy with role-playing elements in a distinctive post-apocalyptic Swedish setting, and its unusual Victor Edition marketing stunt. Its legacy is that of a moderately received title that highlighted Fatshark's ambition but also the challenges of balancing combat and quest design in a squad-based RPG. The game's permadeath system and implant-based progression offered a different approach to character development, though the limited skills and customization were noted as drawbacks.

Did You Know?

• Krater was developed by Fatshark after the studio's moderate success with Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West.
• The Krater $10,000 Victor Edition included the game designer Victor Magnuson personally delivering the game, cooking a meal, and playing with the buyer.
• The game features permanent death of party members, requiring replacement with new recruits.
• There is no traditional leveling system; character progression depends on stat-enhancing implants.