Atomfall

Your goal in Atomfall is to escape, but the reality is this world is far too interesting to want to leave. I cared very little about finding this Interchange at first, and instead preferred to hunt for buried caches, find recipes, read notes, and uncover secrets. I killed characters just to see what was in their pockets, but not before I heard what interesting things they had to say. It wasn’t personal on my end, but those three bullets and the key to the secret room behind them was far more valuable to me than their life. If that seems harsh, no problem, because you’re free to play the complete opposite of me, and I promise it will be just as entertaining.

Atomfall takes inspiration from many games, including Stalker, the Metro series, Fallout, while also adding Rebellion’s amazing sandbox gameplay. What you’re getting here is an immersive sandbox with a wonderful, new approach to storytelling and fresh ideas. Yes, not everything clicks from the start, and you might be confused at first. However, as the story develops, you get engulfed into the story, and the choices you make will affect how you finish the game. I think it’s well worth a try for anyone who wants a proper FPS/RPG blend with an interesting story, and one that doesn’t overstay its welcome!

Atomfall reminded me why I fell in love with open-world RPGs in the first place, offering the freedom to do what you want, but deal with the consequences of such. It’ll be a struggle to survive, but it is worth it all in the end.

The developers from Rebellion have proven that they are not afraid of new challenges, they have crossed the imaginary line and moved their creation into new spheres. Atomfall is a demonstration of precise work, although with certain reserves. In the game you will enjoy solid action and exploration of the unexplored English environment in the shadow of the apocalypse.

Atomfall is a simplified immersive sim that transports the player into a Quarantine Zone filled with mysteries, where moral decisions shape the course of the adventure and its conclusion. Featuring a retrofuturistic sci-fi setting that is distinctly "British", Rebellion’s game offers non-linear progression and a fair degree of freedom. The survival and combat mechanics are solid as well, although the final stages suffer from a sudden and unjustified spike in difficulty.

Atomfall bets on concepts we saw in Elden Ring with a fragmented narrative and high exploration. Its exploration is the great core of this experience that brings with it annoying problems from recent Rebellion games.

Atomfall is a diamond in the rough for survival RPG fans. While it doesn’t hit the emergent heights of its genre contemporaries, Rebellion’s beautifully crafted quarantine zone is a joy to explore, with enough pulp and mystery to propel the player through to the end. If you’re looking for a cozy throwback to classic science fiction, it’s hard to go wrong with this very British sandbox.

There is a level of friction built into almost every aspect of the game, from the clunky combat and resource management to the lack of quest markers and fast travel.

Atomfall shines by not telling you anything initially and letting you choose who you trust and betray to get to the ending you feel best suits your survivor.

We’ve finished Atomfall, and now we can truly judge it. It’s not perfect, but over time, it leaves something behind that many more polished titles can only dream of. It’s a game that carves out its space quietly, without shouting, but with clear ideas, a personal vision, and an old-fashioned boldness. Not everything works, but what does work does so well that it deserves more than just a passing mention.

That’s the beauty of Atomfall. It’s a very strong, open-ended game that prioritises a freedom of choice. No two experiences will be the same, and no two pathways will unlock the same ending options. While the game isn’t a stellar all-rounder, with combat being particularly beige, it succeeds on the strength of its aesthetics, its storytelling, and its detective work. Allow yourself the time to wander freely, and the game will generously reveal a world of rich mysteries.

Atomfall is a fascinating yet familiar game. The story is mysterious, even if the ending might not be that conclusive. The freedom that lies within is very appealing, as is the predominant use of melee versus firearms. The presentation is fine, and while other elements of the game (like stealth) are flawed, those issues are outweighed by the previously mentioned positives. Atomfall is well worth checking out for those looking for a very different experience.

I adored Atomfall every step of the way, and had more fun as it went on. Fans of Fallout, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, and Prey will find a familiar enjoyment in this masterclass of player freedom that promotes curiosity and rewards exploration that's worth the asking price — and at least worth a try if you're already subscribed to Game Pass. Enemy AI needs some work, and the combat isn't as well-refined as some of its peers in this genre, but it doesn't detract enough from the overall experience to matter.

Atomfall is a gripping survival-action adventure that takes some of the best elements of Fallout and Elden Ring, and synthesises them into its own fresh mutation. It presents a picturesque chunk of English countryside littered with alluring structures to pique and reward your curiosity, eccentric locals to meet, and absorbing mysteries to unravel, and uses classic iconography from British sci-fi and horror to consistently unsettling effect. In spite of some enemy behaviours that are occasionally less stable than a reactor in meltdown, Atomfall is a compelling, post-apocalyptic survival story that satisfyingly bends to your choices and discoveries no matter which direction you take.

As someone who spent countless childhood holidays roaming these same Cumbrian hills before returning to a static caravan or family tent, Atomfall perfectly captures the British countryside. Combine that with a brilliant quest system and the tension of survival combat, and you’ve got a recipe for success.

Atomfall is a game that comes with nooks and crannies, but one that captivates us to the end with its great story.

Atomfall is best when it’s difficult. While I had a few issues with the story, my main concern is the crashing I experienced on Xbox. If that is smoothed out this one is an easy recommendation for those with patience. It can be brutal, but it’s oddly endearing and full of intrigue that’s well worth checking out.

Exploring Atomfall's world and investigating the mystery at its core is a real delight, but it requires several modifications and additions to reach its full potential.

Combat, stealth, and even exploration could have been handled better, sure, but Atomfall’s themes, atmosphere, and story make for a solid game that lets you forgive some of these issues if you let it.

Solid survival game, a bit hardcore in places. However, the heavy emphasis on exploration and the associated character development pays off with the opportunity to explore the British 1960s zone and play detective to unravel the mystery of the nuclear power plant.

Rebellion's gamble with Atomfall represents a new step in their storytelling approach. Those who enjoyed Generation Zero will know what to expect: a game that offers unique elements designed to immerse players in its compelling narrative. However, it seems that storytelling isn't the only area that needed attention and innovation. The experience is slightly weighed down by clunky combat mechanics—although not quite as much as its technical performance.

If you want a traditional, linear experience with clear goals and objectives, Atomfall probably isn’t what you’re after. It’s very much a player-directed experience – for better and for worse, depending on your perspective. However, if you’re the type who wants a game to give you the freedom to play however you want, then you owe it to yourself to check out Atomfall.

Atomfall is a thoroughly enjoyable game which looks and plays well, and offers a compelling narrative with surrounding exploration to keep you entertained. It's well-polished, offers good replay value, encourages you to do things a little different, and isn't bad on the eyes either, with a good design that allows it to both look good and support last-gen consoles. The score likely doesn't reflect the game as well as it should, as I would heartily recommend this to anybody, with the added advantage that it's coming to game pass.

A few weeks ago I went hands-on with a few, curated hours of Atomfall. I felt then the same as I feel now after playing the full game. The world is beautiful and thoroughly convincing, the characters are interesting but the combat lacks polish and finesse. I probably missed a lot of secrets or mishandled some leads, but given the game’s mechanics I’m not enthusiastic about filling in the gaps. Atomfall is one of those rare games that excited and disappointed me in equal measure.

With its lack of hand-holding and middling combat, Atomfall isn’t for everyone. But if you’re craving an adventure that supplies plenty of autonomy and challenges your sense of trust, Rebellion’s latest might be looking into.

Ultimately, Atomfall is a game that respects the player's intelligence and rewards curiosity. It doesn't hold your hand with a deluge of mandatory objectives, instead offering the freedom to pursue Leads at your own pace and explore the ravaged landscape as you see fit. This player-driven approach ensures that each playthrough feels distinct, shaped by the individual's willingness to delve into the mysteries and dangers of post-nuclear Cumberland. If you're a player who appreciates atmosphere, emergent gameplay, and the satisfaction of uncovering secrets through your own initiative, Atomfall is a journey into a hauntingly beautiful and intellectually engaging world.

Is Atomfall a game worth trying? If you like games that don't hold your hand - absolutely, but if you have a hard time with shaky combat systems and lacking character development it's important to remember that Atomfall unfortunately fails to rise to the occasion here.

Atomfall is ultimately what I call a “chimera” game — it incorporates elements from different genres, but keeps their influence on a surface level. It has resource management and crafting mechanics of classic survival titles, multiple endings and choice-related story and gameplay outcomes akin to classic RPGs, and an emphasis on exploration usually seen in action-adventure counterparts. These are all good things at first glance, but the lack of depth in most regards makes it hard to recommend to dedicated genre fans while also making it relevant to any discussion on traditional boundaries of defining genre.

Atomfall is a really fun time that suffers from several flaws. They’re not quite enough to hurt the experience too much, but they’re noticeable. If what you want is a new survival experience, and you’re willing to put up with them, though, then I think you’ll be very satisfied, especially with the upcoming DLC.

Atomfall is a likeable game, managing to offer an interesting adventure despite a few clumsinesses and flaws stemming from its limited resources, such as combat and an infiltration system with superficial mechanisms. Exploring every nook and cranny of the zone is at the heart of the experience, and is unquestionably the most successful and engaging aspect. The possibility of finding multiple ways of progressing to complete the story is also appreciated. This is a game worth discovering, if you're waiting for a sale or a price reduction. Waiting for future DLC and updates, which should enrich the gaming experience, might also be wise.

Atomfall is a thoroughly solid survival shooter that shines brightest between the lines. It has tons of mysteries to unravel thanks to its non-linear, hands-off mission structure and makes you feel clever when you’ve explored enough to piece it all together. The secrets at the heart of it all are far from new if you’ve played Stalker or Fallout before and the easily exploited enemy AI makes combat largely uninteresting, but this is still an entertaining and very British nuclear romp that’s well worth a playthrough or two.

Despite its charming setting, witty NPCs, and solid voice acting, the game suffers from weak combat, questionable AI, and immersion-breaking load times. It’s a decent Game Pass title for genre fans, but its short length and shallow depth make it hard to recommend at full price.

While the story and exploration in Atomfall feel refreshing and rewarding, the action and gameplay often feel like filler holding the experience back. It’s a promising mix of ingredients, but one that struggles to keep up with modern titles.

The good news is that the developers of Sniper Elite have finally tried something new - Atomfall is intriguing with its setting and its form of narrative direction. The bad news is that in many other aspects the game is average at best. Perhaps the full potential of these ideas will be realized in a possible sequel.

Atomfall can be a fun diversion, but it really needs to take a gap year so it can find itself.

Atomfall leans really heavily on Britishness. The atmosphere, the turns of phrase, and there are nods to several British media products, such as Doctor Who. If this is not your cup of tea, it will certainly affect your enthusiasm for the game. The title just failed to hook me. Atomfall is not a bad game, but it doesn't really resonate in any way. I was never really immersed in the world, but I constantly felt like I was playing a game, a kind of broader escape room experience.

Atomfall isn't always a brilliant game, then, but it's often a surprisingly comforting one. [Issue#410, p.102]

A pleasant, controlled single-player FPS experience, but without the means to push its ideas to the limit.

Inspired by the 1967 Windscale fire, Rebellion’s open-world adventure features an interesting mystery, but suffers from middling combat, poor stealth and an underutilised setting.

Atomfall, which spins an alternative history around the worst nuclear event in British annals, is hampered by questionable design choices that made me wonder if I’d fallen into a time warp and was playing a spiffy-looking game from 15 years ago. There are narrative tropes, flat characters and unimaginative enemies everywhere.

Even though Atomfall didn’t fully click for me, I believe its unique approach to the survival genre will attract a passionate community. I applaud Rebellion for its extensive accessibility settings and innovative “Lead” system, which I hope they refine in future games. However, for every aspect I enjoyed, there were two or three strange omissions or design choices that held the game back. I hope Rebellion revisits this IP in the future, but next time, I’d like to see Atomfall feel more cohesive and fully realized.

Atomfall combines English provincial idyll and open gameplay with a solid, if not necessarily exciting, first-person action RPG. However, the combat, stealth and progression are not incredibly elegant and there's issues with player guidance that should be worked on urgently.

Its environmental storytelling and commitment to a haunting, folk-horror-inspired world set it apart from other post-apocalyptic titles. It's clear that Rebellion had a vision — one that, with a bit more refinement, could have resulted in something special. However, in its current state, Atomfall is a game that often feels like it's fighting against itself, offering players a world they may admire but struggle to fully enjoy in the end.