Embark on a thrilling and violent journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the latest survival-action game from the creators of Sniper Elite, Rebellion. Recently, I had the chance to dive into the game during a hands-on session at a North London pub, and I was captivated by its open-ended mission design and haunting atmosphere. My experience took a wild turn when I decided to unleash chaos, attacking everyone in sight, including an innocent old lady, with a cricket bat. Let me share why this game left such a strong impression.
In Atomfall, every NPC, from the lowliest grunt to the most crucial quest-giver, can be killed. As I began the demo, I set out to test this feature. My approach was far from subtle; within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm, forcing me to dispatch three alerted guards using the blunt force of a cricket bat, which quickly became my weapon of choice, baptized in blood.
Later, I acquired a bow and arrow, which I eagerly equipped, satisfying my love for archery in games. This allowed me to engage enemies at both long and short range, giving my cricket bat a much-needed break. As I explored, I encountered a towering wicker man, a nod to the game's folk horror elements that permeate the segmented world of Atomfall, divided into multiple "open zones." This eerie setting fueled my curiosity about the mysterious events that led to this once-sleepy corner of England becoming irradiated.
My musings were interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became perfect targets for my new bow, and as I took them down, I couldn't help but feel like Robin Hood. The bow felt satisfying to use, but what intrigued me more was Atomfall's innovative stamina system. Instead of a traditional depleting bar, the game uses a heart rate monitor that increases with physically demanding actions. Sprinting, for instance, can push your heart rate over 140 bpm, affecting your aim and accuracy. I later discovered a Bow Mastery skill manual that mitigated the impact of a high heart rate on drawing the bowstring, though the skill tree seemed straightforward, it offered enough flexibility to tailor your character's abilities to your preferred playstyle, whether stealth or combat.
Atomfall screenshots
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With my only notable achievement being a trail of dead druids, I sought a clearer purpose. Following a note, I ventured towards Casterfall Woods to find a herbalist named Mother Jago near an old mine. Along the way, I noticed hints of a larger narrative, such as a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant, hinting at Britain's descent into post-apocalypse, and a creepy phone call warning me to stay out of the woods.
The environment was rich with story elements, like an old boathouse rigged with an alarm and a mound of skulls, contributing to Atomfall's unsettling atmosphere. While comparisons to Fallout are common, I found the game's tone and design more reminiscent of Stalker and its sequel. The game encouraged thorough exploration, much like classic point-and-click adventures, as I met Mother Jago, who resembled Angela Lansbury if she had embraced black magic aromatherapy. Despite my efforts to extract information, her vague responses left me searching for clues. Eventually, she offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held by the druids in their fortified castle.
Atomfall's freeform design allowed me to approach the castle from any angle. I chose a side attack, encountering a druid patrol near an abandoned petrol station. The ensuing battle was chaotic but fun, though the enemy AI could be more reactive. After dealing with the patrol, I made my way into the castle, finding a locked hut with a note hinting at distant keys. Atomfall eschews objective markers, requiring players to manually mark points of interest on their map. Opting not to pursue the keys immediately, I entered the central keep, only to find more druids to dispatch but no sign of the book. The game's mission design is deliberately obtuse, challenging players to explore and think like detectives.
Following the map coordinates to the southeast, I encountered a poison plant monster that proved deadly. After a few failed attempts, I used my Skyrim-honed bunny-hopping skills to bypass it and retrieve the keys from a previous victim. Returning to the hut, I found a perk point and ammo, but no book. Frustrated, I ventured deeper into the castle, killing the High Priestess and her followers, and uncovering new items and questlines, yet still no book.
Xbox Games Series Tier List
Xbox Games Series Tier List
After my session ended, I learned the book was in the castle all along, on a table I had overlooked. Believing the book to be a ruse, I returned to Mother Jago and, in my confusion and descent into violence, killed her. Searching her body, I found a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster, the information she had promised in exchange for the book.
Atomfall's developers at Rebellion estimate a playtime of 25 hours, with varied experiences for each player. My fellow demo participant had a completely different adventure, encountering a crashed helicopter and a region filled with killer robots and mutants. The game's obtuse objectives might not appeal to everyone, but they reward those who embrace its explorative nature. The blurred lines between side and main objectives add tension and encourage players to craft their own stories within the game's world.
With my hands bloodied from the chaos I caused, I embraced full-British mode: cricket bat in hand, I headed to the pub to wait for the storm to pass. Atomfall promises a unique and challenging experience, one that I'm eager to explore further.
