Embark on a thrilling journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the latest survival-action game from Sniper Elite's developer, Rebellion. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience a hands-on demo in a North London pub, and I must say, I was captivated by Atomfall’s unique mission design and haunting atmosphere. In a moment of madness, I found myself attacking every NPC 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 key quest-givers, can meet a violent end. Eager to test this mechanic, I embarked on a mission of chaos right from the start. Within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm, leading to a brutal confrontation with three guards, whom I dispatched with my newly-christened cricket bat, now baptized in blood.
Later, I acquired a bow and arrow, which satisfied my love for archery in games. With this, I was equipped for both long and short-range combat, allowing my cricket bat some much-needed rest. As I explored, I encountered a towering wicker man, a nod to the game's folk horror theme, which permeates the segmented "open zones" of Atomfall's world. This eerie setting adds to the mystery of what caused this once-sleepy corner of England to become irradiated.
My contemplation was interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became perfect targets for my 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 bar, a heart rate monitor rises with physically demanding actions, affecting your aim when stopping to fight. I later found a Bow Mastery skill manual, which mitigated the impact of a high heart rate on archery, though the skill tree seemed somewhat basic, it offers flexibility in tailoring your character's abilities.
Atomfall screenshots
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My initial goal was unclear as I explored Casterfall Woods, but a note led me to Mother Jago, a herbalist 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 a post-apocalyptic state. A phone box's eerie warning added to the game's tense atmosphere, filled with environmental storytelling elements like an alarm-rigged boathouse and ominous signs. The game's tone and design reminded me more of Stalker than Fallout, with its focus on exploration and subtle storytelling.
After another encounter with druids, I met Mother Jago, whose cryptic responses left me searching for clues in our dialogue, reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures. She tasked me with retrieving her herbalism book from a druid castle. Atomfall's freeform design allowed me to approach the castle from any angle, leading to a chaotic battle at an abandoned petrol station. The combat was fun but not top-tier, suggesting it's more of a sideshow to the main event of uncovering the world's secrets.
Inside the castle, I struggled to find the book, highlighting Atomfall's challenging mission design. Without objective markers, players must rely on their own exploration and deduction. After failing to find the book, I followed map coordinates to retrieve keys, only to encounter a poison plant monster. After overcoming this challenge, I still couldn't find the book, leading me deeper into the castle where I engaged in more combat and discovered new items and questlines.
Xbox Games Series Tier List
Xbox Games Series Tier List
Post-demo, I learned the book was indeed in the castle, on a table I had overlooked. Frustrated, I returned to Mother Jago, and in a fit of confusion and violence, killed her, only to find a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster. This incident underscored the game's immersive narrative and the consequences of player actions.
Rebellion estimates Atomfall's story could take between 4 to 25 hours to complete, with varied experiences for each player. My fellow demo participants had entirely different adventures, encountering new regions and challenges. Atomfall's complex quest design might be daunting for some, but it rewards players who embrace its mysteries and blurred lines between side and main objectives.
Despite my violent rampage and the unfortunate end of Mother Jago, I'm eager to see how my story unfolds in this irradiated English countryside. For now, I'll take my bloodied cricket bat, head back to the pub, and await what comes next in this intriguing game.
