Developed and published by indie studio Untold Games, City 20 is a post-apocalyptic survival open-world game that recently received its major update called The Bunker Update. Released back in September 2024, the game is currently in its Early Access, and the developer has added an array of new features and mechanics since then. The newest update is also one in this series of content additions for the game, leading to its 1.0 version, which is still quite a ways as of now. This is our review of The Bunker Update released for the PC Steam version of City 20, in which we explore some atmospheric underground locations.
The biggest new addition of the new update is perhaps clear from its name, and yes, the update indeed adds new underground locations for you to explore. In total, there are nine locations, and each location is filled with new loot, rare materials, enemies, and a ton of lore. Since the new update wipes all previous save files too, you are presented with a fresh cut-scene at the start of the game, and then kick off the game with its original tutorial and story. Once you settle down, you can begin hunting down these brand-new locations for special loot and learn more about the world around you.
Unlike the base game, these underground locations are much darker and grittier, which makes them more atmospheric and delivers a sense of tension that was originally missing from the game. Dark corridors, abandoned rooms, and new enemy types will keep you on your toes. For me, out of the nine locations, the best ones are the Statistics Agency and the Anti-Atomic Raboch Bunker. Both of these locations are completely different from anything else in the game, and also the most atmospheric out of the bunch. You will need to complete special, new tasks to gain access to these locations, so there is added playtime in the base game as well.
What I most like about the new Bunker Update is that it is not just a simple location addition to the game, but it also balances the overall game as well. Rare and important loot items have been moved completely to these underground locations, while on-land exploration will only result in you finding basic and low-level loot. This not only shows how the developers are incorporating new updates on a much wider scale but also makes sure that players get enough of a reason to actually venture into these locations and feel rewarded. The visuals and overall aesthetics of these underground locations are another reason why exploring them is worthwhile.
Apart from the new underground locations, City 20 has received a long list of improvements and changes, and Untold Games continues the Early Access development of the game. Some major improvements include a brand-new device, GPS, which makes moving around much easier than before. This comes in handy in the underground locations where it is very easy to get lost in the myriad of similar-looking corridors and rooms.
Once you acquire it, a mini map becomes your guide, showing you NPCs, locations, and everything else on the map. However, since it is a post-apocalyptic game, it comes with its own challenges. To use it, you must have GPS Repeaters, which in turn require another resource, Chips. While it is handy, you will need to ensure that you are stocked up on resources to fully make use of it.
Another important feature to arrive in the game is how the shop owners handle their businesses. You can now see the shop closing times and also if a shop is closed when the owner is out on Market Day. This helps you to visit the markets in time for your upcoming adventures, in time so you do not miss any supplies or updates that you may need. You will also find a brand-new Dialogue Wheel and NPC summary screen, which makes interacting with other people much easier, since the chat is now color-coded based on how important it is.
There are many other smaller overall changes to City 20 as well, and all of it shows that the developer is actively working on not only adding new content to the game but also improving the present in-game mechanics. The game still requires a lot of optimization, especially when it comes to performance. The framerates are still absurd on a high-spec PC, and it gets worse during the daytime when there are a lot of shadows. In my opinion, the performance needs to be prioritized before content because it hinders an otherwise decent game in a lot of ways.
Final Verdict:
The new Bunker Update is an important update for City 20 because no post-apocalyptic game is complete without underground bunkers and facilities ripe for exploration. It is a step in the right direction, but I would love to see additional underground locations added to the game because, compared to the base game, these levels are very few as of now, and their scale is also relatively smaller. Still, it expands City 20 in the right direction, and for that, it serves as a solid point for you to dive back into the game and try it out once again.
Final Score: 7.5/10
Disclaimer: A PC Steam early access press review code for City 20: The Bunker Update was provided by Renaissance PR on behalf of Untold Games. Read our Review Policy.
