Atomfall Review – Stalker Alert

It’s likely that many people will be taken aback by Atomfall – it’s far superior to what most might expect. Initially, I was confident the game would be good due to Rebellion’s impressive track record with Sniper Elite and Zombie Army over the past few years. Moreover, Atomfall had a unique and intriguing appeal leading up to its launch. However, the game exceeded even my high expectations. In terms of design, polish, strangeness, narrative depth, and mechanical allure, Atomfall is far beyond what it should be capable of.

Atomfall

In the 1960s, amidst the backdrop of Northern England, you find yourself in a secluded region of Cumbria, post the catastrophic Windscale fire nuclear disaster of 1957. Amnesiac and speechless, you’re in a quarantine zone that, contrary to typical expectations, is teeming with life, color, and an almost surreal beauty. Lush greenery, diverse forests, breathtaking vistas, and thriving wildlife characterize every corner of this zone, exuding an atmospheric charm.

While the game wears its influences from S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Fallout prominently on its sleeve, in its setting, it crafts something that feels remarkably unique and fresh.

Atomfall exceeds expectations in terms of design, polish, uniqueness, narrative depth, and mechanical appeal.

In addition to its unique atmosphere, the location also unfolds a compelling narrative titled “Atomfall”. Right from the opening scene, it effectively establishes its own identity and world, while skillfully weaving an intriguing central enigma surrounding the nuclear catastrophe at the atom facility that forms the core of the area. The story delves into the question of what triggered the disaster, as well as examining the repercussions it has had on the quarantine zone over the years. Needless to say, these consequences have been significant and far-reaching.

The zone isn’t a full-blown nuclear wasteland, but it’s far from safe and normal. For years, people within its boundaries have formed various groups – ordinary survivors, military dictators, violent outlaws, fanatical druids, each of whom are quite eccentric. Every character you encounter in Atomfall is a unique personality, with the writing and voice acting bringing each NPC to life, regardless of their importance. Apart from the people, there are other strange dangers too – mutated creatures, unusual fungi, auditory hallucinations, and more. Unraveling the mysteries of Atomfall, piece by piece, makes for a compelling experience. This is largely due to how the game reveals story bits in a tantalizing, cryptic manner, keeping you engaged while leaving you feeling like there’s always something just beyond your grasp.

As a gamer, I’m thoroughly blown away by how Atomfall makes me feel like the master of my own destiny. It does this in various ways, such as offering dialogue choices and allowing me to decide whether to spare or eliminate every character I encounter. Whether I opt for a peaceful playthrough or one where I eliminate everyone I meet, it’s all part of the experience. More significantly, though, is the game’s non-intrusive structure. Quests aren’t clearly defined but rather presented as leads – hints about people or places that merely guide me in a direction. From there, it’s up to my curiosity to decide whether to pursue these leads further. Sometimes, seemingly insignificant leads can unexpectedly tie into the main storyline, making every exploration feel significant. In essence, Atomfall manages to eliminate the need for traditional quests by encouraging me to follow my instincts and curiosity instead, rendering the idea of side quests almost obsolete.

Unraveling the enigmas hidden within Atomfall piece by piece provides an intriguing journey. This is largely due to the game’s strategic storytelling method, which drip-feeds tantalizing story fragments, veiled in secrecy, and offers just enough information at a time to keep you captivated while leaving you yearning for more.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at the captivating world that Atomfall offers. Unlike other games, the Cumbria quarantine zone is not just a vast open map, but rather a meticulously designed collection of zones, each one unique and connected by intriguing load screens. Indoor environments and dungeons are also cleverly instanced separately.

While it may not rival the expansive worlds of games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. or Fallout in terms of sheer size, Atomfall manages to feel spacious and well-utilized. What truly sets it apart, though, is its stunning diversity. From prison camps and crumbling castles to idyllic hamlets under oppressive military rule, mysterious cave systems, deserted bunkers and facilities, and of course, an abundance of those iconic red phone boxes, the map is a visual feast that never fails to surprise me.

Discovering everything about it is always a fun and enriching experience. This is an aspect where Atomfall takes a passive stance, particularly when played on the default difficulty (or harder), as navigation encourages you to fully immerse yourself in the world, requiring careful observation of your surroundings while trying to navigate through it. The discoveries you make are usually worthwhile, offering a range of rewards – from meeting peculiar characters, uncovering fascinating locations, learning about its history and background, to finding valuable loot such as weapons, ammunition, crafting resources, recipes, and more.

In Atomfall’s world, where danger lurks frequently, many aspects become quite significant. Similar to games it heavily emulates, the game incorporates survival mechanics, although not as intensely as titles like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. You need to monitor your health, conditions such as bleeding, and heart rate. Neglecting these or playing carelessly could lead to a swift demise (or at least serious repercussions that leave no room for misunderstanding). Consequently, items that restore health, crafting resources, weapons, and ammo become essential, not just because they are rare but also due to the fact that exploration is consistently rewarded since you’re likely to discover something valuable.

In terms of one aspect where Atomfall seems somewhat unpolished, it’s the combat system. On one hand, I find myself appreciating its awkwardness and unwieldiness sometimes, as it aligns well with the dangerous, survival-focused environment portrayed in the game. However, in practice, combat can feel excessively challenging, particularly during close-quarters encounters with enemies, which are quite frequent due to ammunition scarcity. Progression within Atomfall is relatively linear and simple, resulting in a limited evolution of combat skills over time. Despite this, I do enjoy the selection of ranged and melee weapons available and their distinct feels when wielded.

The world of Atomfall is teeming with life, rich in color, and full of a vivid energy. Every corner is covered in thick foliage, diverse forests, breathtaking vistas, and an abundance of wildlife. The atmosphere is palpable, making each area feel distinct. In many aspects, Atomfall openly shows its inspiration from games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. and Fallout, but it skillfully crafts a setting that feels remarkably unique and fresh.

In Atomfall, you have the flexibility to choose between stealth or all-out action, as combat is seldom (if ever) imposed upon you. This game allows for evasion tactics, which is common in environments designed with multiple pathways – a hallmark of the Sniper Elite team. However, what’s surprising is that the stealth, an aspect Rebellion usually excels at, can feel slightly awkward at times. While it’s far from being broken and can be thrilling when it works well, the AI sometimes exhibits forgetfulness or exceptional keenness, leading to instances where you might exploit the game mechanics (especially if you play like I do). This can add an element of fun, but it also gives a sense of unpolished feel to the stealth and combat experience in the game.

Fundamentally, I can easily overlook Atomfall’s flaws due to the abundance of things to appreciate. This game takes big risks, and more often than not, it delivers a home run. With its intriguing environment, compelling narrative, plenty of charm, a strong focus on player freedom that enhances every aspect, and stunning world design that invites exploration at every turn, Atomfall is an immersive journey, despite some minor shortcomings, and undeniably one of the most enjoyable surprises in recent gaming history.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2025-03-21 21:20

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