Hail to the Rainbow Review – Russian Cyberpunk

The new game from Sergey Noskov, the creator of 35MM and 7TH Sector, transports players to a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk world with its familiar paneled interiors and angular robots. In this review, we’ll explain why the indie title Hail to the Rainbow is so much better than expensive AAA titles.

• Developer: Sergey Noskov
• Publisher: Sergey Noskov
• Platforms: PC
• Release date: November 27, 2025

In Hail to the Rainbow, players assume the role of Ignat, a lonely boy surviving in a post-apocalyptic world caused by a massive war. The protagonist is smart and quite handy, which allows him to successfully evade robots , craft various devices and tools, and connect with other survivors and trade goods. All was going well, until one day, Ignat received an unusual message in his email, forcing him to leave his comfort zone and embark on a journey in search of the unknown.

The hero’s past is revealed through flashbacks, in which the gamer sees the world before the war—a sort of cyberpunk USSR , complete with drones , robot assistants, and neon signs. The setting successfully blends Soviet aesthetics, brutalist architecture , and futuristic objects, such as giant walking bots.

Hail to the Rainbow’s landscapes are captivating, captivating both scenes from the past, where cities remain untouched by destruction, and episodes set in the present, with their abandoned buildings and ruins. The environments are so authentic and rich in detail that it seems the author is nostalgic for an era that was never destined to exist in our reality. In short, Hail to the Rainbow is a game you’ll want to admire throughout your entire playthrough.

The game allows the player to enjoy the visuals . The gameplay is measured and unhurried, although sometimes you have to sweat when fighting aggressive machines. The player’s actions are divided into several parts: exploring locations for resources and quest items, solving puzzles , driving, and fighting robots. Each of these components is well-designed, but not without its flaws.

Take, for example, the level exploration. They’re atmospheric and inviting, especially Ignat’s base at the beginning of the game, where you can compete against the computer in tic-tac-toe and sit by the Christmas tree. However, they often confuse players with unclear objectives and strange level layouts, where an item crucial to progressing the story might lie in an inconspicuous corner, drawing no attention. The same applies to puzzles: the conditions for solving them aren’t always clear, and sometimes the key to completing a task can lie in a completely different location, something the author never hints at.

The car ride is flawless. You’ll have to master the manual transmission and figure out how to shift down, but driving the old Niva is just as enjoyable as playing SnowRunner or Pacific Drive . Especially if you find a few cassettes of local post-punk, which will significantly enhance the atmosphere of the journey—you’ll never want to get out of the car.

As for combat, it’s well-balanced, with punches and shots delivering a noticeable impact, and the overall number of battles doesn’t exceed the point where they become intrusive. However, the stealth sequences are more annoying than engaging, and I’d prefer to avoid them entirely.

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Hail to the Rainbow feels like a cohesive, original project, far more atmospheric and heartfelt than expensive AAA games from major studios. The title’s budget appeal is practically unnoticeable: the graphics squeeze every last drop of juice out of the Unity engine , the cutscenes are expertly staged, and the optimization doesn’t overheat your PC. If you’re looking for something akin to a cocktail of Half-Life 2, Atomic Heart , SOMA, and Pacific Drive, you’ve come to the right place—you’ll fall in love with it from the very first frame. Just be aware that you’ll have to put up with a few minor gameplay flaws.