Atomfall’s 2nd DLC Expansion is now available on Xbox, PlayStation and PC — Explore a new zone, battle new enemies, and unlock new endings for the main story

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Rebellion, the studio behind popular games like Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, has just launched ‘The Red Strain,’ the second downloadable expansion for their game, Atomfall.

This expansion for the sci-fi shooter adds a ton of new content, including a new area to discover, enemies to battle, weapons and equipment to collect, skills to master, and even different ways the story can end.

Here’s everything you need to know about Atomfall’s ‘The Red Strain’ Expansion.

The Red Strain expansion introduces players to Scafell Crag, a new area within the Quarantine Zone. Hidden inside Scafell Crag is Test Site Moriah, a secret research station constructed over a former missile base.

Test Site Moriah was the location of numerous classified government experiments run by B.A.R.D., including the creation of a dangerous virus known as the Red Strain.

When the Windscale Disaster happened, a dangerous strain of bacteria, known as the Red Strain, escaped and caused significant harm and fatalities among the researchers on site.

The abandoned Test Site Moriah is ready for exploration, but players must uncover its mysteries and eliminate the Red Strain to prevent further devastation.

To learn what Test Site Moriah is hiding, you’ll have to search the Scafell Crag area. Look for better weapons and equipment, new abilities to master, and characters who might help you on your journey.

If you succeed, you’ll discover surprising truths that can change the main story and lead to different endings.

It won’t be simple, though, because you’ll face tougher enemies – things like massive robots that can fire guided missiles, for instance.

After you download ‘The Red Strain’ expansion, you can start playing by taking a B.A.R.D. elevator found inside the Slatten coal mines.

Here is a list of the new tools, weapons, skills, and factions you will find in this DLC.

NEW WEAPONS

In Atomfall’s ‘The Red Strain’, players can now discover Heavy Weapons by defeating large robot enemies and salvaging the weapons they drop.

  • Arm-gun (Heavy Machinegun)
  • Flamethrower
  • Induction Launcher

Other new weapons include:

  • Silenced M. 1911 (Suppressed Pistol, extremely quiet)
  • Suppressed Peerless SMG (Suppressed SMG, quiet)
  • Commando Knife (Faster Attack Speed)

NEW ITEMS

  • Signal Redirector Mk II – Can temporarily reprogram all nearby Support Units to perceive you as an ally when you are near a Power Antenna and Turret)
  • Contamination Antidote – Experimental medicine that counteracts the effects of the Red Strain for a short time.
  • Improvised Training Stimulant – A craftable variant of B.A.R.D.’s training stimulant.
  • Red Mist Bomb – A makeshift throwable that makes enemies hostile to anything around them and applies damage over time.
  • Electrocution Grenade – Throwable explosive that creates an area of electrified water for a short time.

NEW SKILLS

  • Puppeteer – Reprogramming mechanical enemies with the Signal Redirector Mk II lasts longer.
  • Red Strain Adaptation – Provides resistance to all sources of Red Strain Contamination.
  • Salvage Robotics – Allow the players to pick up weapons from destroyed robots and loot Electronics from mechanical enemies.

NEW FACTIONS

  • Synaptic Units/ Brainbots – Advanced robot unit which is controlled by an isolated human brain in place of its artificial intelligence. The brain connects to its robot body via a cybernetic interface.
  • Contaminated Humans – Soldiers, Villagers, and Scientists who have been contaminated by the Red Strain.
  • Contaminated Thralls – Thralls who have been contaminated by the Red Strain.
  • Contaminated Feral – Ferals who have been corrupted by the Red Strain.
  • Drone Swarms – Swarms of flying and scuttling robots, designed to defend key locations.
  • Contaminated Swarms – Swarms of earwigs and rats that have been contaminated by the Red Strain

Contain the Red Strain before its too late

Atomfall has been quite successful since its release in early March 2025, and Rebellion’s CEO credits Xbox Game Pass as a key factor in that success.

As an analyst, I’m seeing really strong early traction for this game. It’s already hit 1.5 million players on Steam in just one month, and the critical response has been overwhelmingly positive.

As an analyst here at Windows Central, I can say we’ve been really impressed with Atomfall. Our own Michael Hoglund gave it a 4-star review, praising how much freedom it gives players, how rewarding it is to explore, and the depth of its world and story. It’s a genuinely intriguing experience.

The core game of Atomfall offers a ton of gameplay, and with the expansions, The Red Strain and Wicked Isle, you can add many more hours of exciting, spooky, and action-packed adventures.

The Red Strain expansion for Atomfall is now available digitally on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC (through Steam) for $19.99.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members save 10% on The Red Strain DLC when they purchase it for Xbox.

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2025-09-16 23:10