Escape the Quarantine: Unraveling the Mystery of Atomfall on PS5!

For the past seven years, British game developer Rebellion has been refining and improving its skills through sequels. They’ve produced a second Evil Genius, a fourth Zombie Army, and a fifth Sniper Elite – all outstanding games in their respective categories, yet built upon an established framework. However, Atomfall, which is Rebellion’s first new intellectual property since Strange Brigade, marks a striking departure from this usual pattern.

In the style of Disco Elysium, Deus Ex, and PREY, the team has opted for intrigue and tension over straightforward action. It’s a game about venturing into forbidden territories, aligning with and betraying characters to achieve your goals, and escaping from an isolated English quarantine zone. The execution of this concept is so exceptional that Atomfall surpasses Rebellion’s previous works to become their most impressive accomplishment yet.

Nestled in the scenic Lake District of England’s north, the secluded village of Wyndham has been isolated from the world for a span of five years. The game is based on the true-life Windscale nuclear incident and weaves an alternate reality where the tranquil landscape surrounding the power plant never regained its former serenity. Now, under government supervision, the village is guarded by robots, with soldiers patrolling its streets, while dangerous gangs, characterized by their extreme and violent behavior, roam outside the walls, targeting anyone not wearing their distinctive markings.

One day, you find yourself waking up in a bunker located within the quarantine zone with the straightforward goal of escape. However, as we all know, things are rarely that straightforward. Various conspiracy theories and rumors circulate throughout the village, making it essential to distinguish truth from falsehood if you’re to plan an effective escape route.

The twist in Atomfall is that there’s no assurance your findings will lead anywhere significant – blind alleys are common, and false hope abounds. As a result, the gameplay experience becomes one where you’ll want to test and explore every corner, uncertain if you’ve been led astray or not, and sometimes needing to revert to a saved game.

The title introduces this investigation to you through Leads, serving as an alternative to the conventional RPG quest system. Instead of pre-set markers scattering your map, you’ll engage with characters and discover notes that gradually unveil the world’s secrets. These hints are subsequently compiled and organized for you to explore a comprehensive theory of escape, rather than focusing on completing individual tasks in isolation.

In your map, locations will be indicated according to the evidence you discover, providing additional spots to explore and determine if the rumor leads to an exit from the quarantine zone. The game has numerous paths to freedom, and there are as many ways to complete it as there aren’t, making it worth replaying to uncover hidden chances that you may have overlooked initially.

The game revolves around a loop where you explore, converse, craft items, and sometimes engage in combat. It’s structured as an open zone, with Wyndham Village serving as the hub, surrounded by various other areas that can be accessed quickly via short loading screens. Within its boundaries, Wyndham emphasizes investigation through talking to characters and stealthily evading guards. Beyond the walls, you encounter cult members whom you can either eliminate with guns or melee weapons, thus forgoing any initial friendly greetings.

In the world of Atomfall, I found myself on a quest for essentials like supplies, resources, and ammunition to make it through the wilderness. Yet, there was an abundance available, making survival feel less of a struggle. Though marketed as a “survival-action game,” the crafting system is what truly embodies the survival spirit.

Unlike other games, I didn’t have to worry about managing hunger, thirst, or sleep meters. Atomfall steers clear of such mechanics. Even with its crafting focus, we rarely ran out of healing items or bullets, giving us the flexibility to tackle any situation in our preferred style.

In essence, this game resembles a typical action title when you choose to resist cults, but it falters slightly in some areas. The melee combat and shooting feel somewhat rough, and the unsatisfying impact feedback from hitting objects like cricket bats and knives can make these actions less rewarding.

The game includes a stealth system and a straightforward trespassing feature for off-limit areas, which alerts nearby enemies if detected. While these elements seem additional or added on, they are used frequently enough to impact the overall enjoyment of the game. However, Atomfall truly shines when you’re following Leads through dialogue and covert operations, acting as the countryside’s version of James Bond, rather than brutally attacking enemies with a cricket bat.

At least, Rebellion offers an exceptional immersion into the village setting, skillfully recreating a quintessential English hamlet, which instantly appealed to us Brits due to its charming features like dry stone walls, a local pub, and a village hall with a stage reminiscent of many rural towns.

In Wyndham, satirical remarks about British customs and politics echo through loudspeakers, poking fun at various stereotypes and COVID-19 Conservative slogans. Some nuances might be missed by those unfamiliar with the UK. Yet, for those who resonate with the intimate atmosphere of a place where everyone recognizes each other, and local chatter revolves around gossip and old feuds, Wyndham offers a unique backdrop.

On the PlayStation 5 Pro, performance is top-notch, with only occasional audio glitches interrupting an otherwise seamless experience. The game runs smoothly at 60 frames per second and boasts impressive visuals that complement its immersive gameplay. Wyndham remains beautiful amidst the surrounding ruins, while the nearby zones offer a delightful exploration experience filled with intriguing landmarks and alluring underground areas.

2025-03-21 17:07

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