Developer – Rebellion

Publisher – Rebellion

Platforms – PS5 (Reviewed), PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S & PC

Review copy given by Developer

The developer well known for its work on the Sniper Elite franchise has come out with a new survival action game. Atomfall is set in the late 1950s when a secret Ministry of Defense project caused the world’s first major nuclear disaster at Windscale in Northern England.

You start the game off in what is a bunker and you wake up confused as to what happened. The first task you’ll be handed or in other words the first Lead you receive will be to find The Interchange. Essentially, the main character you play is an unidentified amnesiac and it’s your objective to figure out what happened.

During Atomfall, you are exploring what is called The Quarantine Zone which has been sealed off from the outside world for five years. The population has become outlandish and there are multiple factions that have formed while other characters are competing for influence.

As you take on more Leads you will uncover a lot of mysteries and eventually define who you are as the story unfolds. At times during my gameplay, I have been wondering why the Soldiers, Outlaws, Druids, and other factions seem to always be against me.

Atomfall Leads System

Rebellion has been very excited about Atomfall’s Lead system which is different than your typical quests in games we see today. Leads are found by speaking with locals and finding letters, items, and files that are scattered across each area. There isn’t such thing as one main objective in Atomfall, you can get through the story in multiple different ways that will all eventually lead to the same ending.

At first, when I started playing Atomfall I was very confused and felt lost just like the character. The first area you walk into is Slatten Dale which is probably the least interesting area when it comes to finding Leads. However, I eventually found myself getting into the game once I came across Wyndham Village.

While I love the Lead system after playing this game for many hours, I wish there had been more direction at the beginning. The game gives you a Lead right off the bat, but I found myself trying to find other Leads which then helped me with what you’d consider a “main lead”.

Gameplay

Atomfall allows players to choose different gameplay styles. You’ll have Sightseer, Investigator, Brawler, Survivor, and Veteran. I went with what was recommended by choosing Sightseer. This is a more low-pressure mode where you can enjoy the narrative and exploration.

When it comes to the combat system there is a lot to it. First, since this is a survival game, ammo is very scarce so you have to make your gunshots worth it. I’ll be honest and say at first I was using a lot of melee weapons because shooting wasn’t my forte. Later on, I realized that to make your Rifle, Pistol, or Shotguns effective you’ll have to aim directly at the head.

The combat can be frustrating at times because you will face enemies like Ferals, Thralls, Outlaws, B.A.R.D, and other Soldiers, all of whom can deal significant damage. As advertised, these enemies are quite strong, and at times it feels like their attacks are very powerful.

I also changed my playstyle to be less challenging and the enemies still seem to be very strong. This is one area of Atomfall that I felt could be improved. 

There are plenty of collectibles to find by using your metal detector and tons of leads to find. Atomfall is a game that you need to give a few hours to start getting interesting. Simply put, Atomfall’s gameplay is entertaining. 

Although Atomfall is primarily a survival action game, it can also be classified as a survival horror title due to certain enemies’ occasional jump scares. You’ll also come across some creepy bunkers along the way.

Lastly, Crafting is featured and it becomes an important part of survival in your journey. You’ll find recipes around each region that’ll help you during combat such as Bandages for healing, Molotov Cocktails, and other consumables that will allow you to resist poison, burns, and more. 

The main challenge with crafting in Atomfall is acquiring enough materials to create what you need. For example, to make Molotov Cocktails, you need to find at least six bottles of alcohol, which can be quite difficult. 

Atomfall Is Stunning

For a game that takes place in a setting where everything is destroyed and honestly depressing, it looks stunning. My playthrough was on a PlayStation 5 and all I could say is that I have never seen grass look so good on my television before. Rebellion deserves a ton of recognition because of how Atomfall looks visually. They have outdone themselves this time around. 

Atomfall could improve by enhancing its music and audio. While the music is great during enemy encounters, I would love to hear a greater variety of tracks.

Main Characters

Atomfall does include a variety of main characters. There is you, The Protagonist but there are other several characters you’ll run into. Most notable The Voice On The Phone that you run into across your journey, without spoiling too much there is also Mother Jago and Joyce Tanner. These characters play important roles throughout the story and provide a good amount of dialogue. 

Verdict

It’s safe to say that Atomfall is not a Fallout clone. With its stunning views and entertaining gameplay, Atomfall is a must-play for those who enjoy open-world survival games. The amount of mystery from the moment you press play keeps you engaged all the way through.