Atomfall is a game from the developers that is known for releasing some major bangers, Rebellion. The developer is known for their Sniper Elite series. This time around, they are doing things differently. It is BioShock and Fallout kind of stuff in the English countryside. However, it is made while considering it as an experiment. There is an investigation thrown in the mix. The game has its downs, and the combat is not that good. It is a new experience that takes inspiration from a lot of different games. It is also a challenging game that requires some time to get used to.
Consider it a decent enough AA game that experiments with stuff. It is aware of its limits and does not overstay its welcome. If you are looking for an experience that shows the result of a mashup of different genres, then this is it. It emphasizes exploration and investigation, so if you are into that, it can be a good one. There are still ups and downs of the game, and one should consider it before giving an actual opinion. There is some unique stuff and some tried and tested stuff. It brings us to the question: Is Atomfall worth it? Let’s find out.
Premise
The start of the game is pretty basic; you wake up in a bunker and are then given a vague mission, stuff that we have seen before in other games. You are then thrust into a world that you have no knowledge of. It is a kind of Chornobyl-type area which reminds me of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Yeah, it takes a lot of inspiration from that series. It is a walled area, and whoever was inside it when the incident happened is just stuck in it. They are now forced to survive and live however they can.
Atomfall takes place in Northern England. You can see pubs, villages, stone row houses, and traditional red phone booths among other things. It is a post-apocalyptic wasteland rather than a lively society.
The game will just push you into the brutal world without a quest mark, and no information other than some shallow clues. Since you are weak, you will need to avoid the outlaws until you get to the first town, and that’s when pieces start to get together.
Investigation
It is an investigation game first and foremost, with a lower stake. You will just be wandering around and trying to make sense of things. You might need a battery while opening a door. The game will not give you any clues on how to get that, so you just have to do it on your own, and there are multiple ways to do it. You might find a note that puts you in the right direction of acquiring a battery, or you might find a person who has it, but first, you have to do something. You might even find it while out exploring the world.
It is the kind of thing that we have seen before but here it’s always a surprise which makes it a new experience. It is about you collecting the lead and hopefully, getting to the bottom of things. Finding lead is done in a non-linear manner so you can approach it the way you see fit. Clues and leads will stack up but they are not organized that well in Atomfall.
Non-linear Gameplay
Whenever you are in a new area or backtrack to a previous one, you always have something to do thanks to the non-linear nature of investigations. You can look around and hopefully find a solution for one of the leads and clues that have stacked up in Atomfall.
The non-linear nature of the investigation works quite well. As you progress and follow the leads, you will know more of the world, lore, and the mission that you have been given. You are not only looking for something mysterious but also a way to get out of the zone. You get to know that some people can help you out. There is paranoia surrounding the world, so you can either take the help of a person or go behind their back and help the other. You have to figure out on your own what’s good for you and what’s not.
Factions
There are faction mechanics at play, so if you like RPGs with factions, then this will feel right at home. From early on in Atomfall, you get different scenarios that dictate your relationship with factions. You can rat one person to another or just screw a person to complete your objective. Of course, there is always the option of killing a person and taking the key or any other item required for progression. You can kill some major characters, and the game will just continue.
Combat
The shooting is not too bad, and the guns are responsive. Melee is stiff and leaves much to be desired. When that is combined with the inventory setup and throwable, it can feel out of place. There is also the option to stealthily kill enemies. Headshots are good and really effective, so you can just go out on a killing spree if your aim is good. AI enemies are not that bright, they will forget you, run toward you and even get stuck in places. The way combat looks reminds me of Atomic Heart, even though that game had a better combat system.
Atomfall wants you to strategize the combat, so crafting is a big thing. You can use a throwable that you craft to take down a large group of enemies. You can take out even a base of enemies because the response of the enemies is not good. Non-human beings can be a threat, such as turrets, big robots, and other monsters. Even if the enemy AI is not good, the game is still challenging. Stealth is not expanded upon.
Gameplay
The map of Atomfall has multiple zones that are bordered by loading screens. You will encounter enemies in the world, and they are mainly human, but there are some non-human enemies. The human enemies range from bandits to culty people, and even military guys. Your character is weak, and supplies are criminally limited.
In the beginning, you have a small inventory and few bullets so you would need to avoid big groups of enemies or sneak past them. Most of the enemies will just yell and taunt so if you keep your distance then you will be ok.
There is no currency in the game, and traders will exchange stuff for the stuff that they need. So trade management and inventory management go hand and hand. Then there are also the items that give points to the skill tree. Some of the unlocks on the skill tree can help a lot in survival and gameplay in general.
World
The world of the game looks good, and there is quite a bit of environmental storytelling. There are a lot of shortcuts that you can take to different parts of an area. The density of buildings in an area is quite high, especially in the settlements. The areas are not too big, but they are big enough to make you want a fast travel system because the game does not have one.
It’s not all good since some buildings and ruins are nothing more than filler for the environment. When you do find stuff like caches and other interesting stuff in the environment it feels satisfying. All of this goes back to the clue and leads which can result in some good revelations. When heavily reinforced English countryside combines with ’60s robots and other stuff it results in a satisfying experience. The deeper you go into Atomfall the better it becomes.
Verdict (Is Atomfall Worth It?)
Atomfall might not be a long game, but it does feel like a long game. Even if the combat is not too great, it still won’t get in the way of fun. It is all about what you find and what happens next. It’s not the type of game with crazy rat tracing and a detailed world, but that’s not what it is trying to be either. It is a game about characters and how you interact with the world around you.
Think of it as experimental Fallout stuff that has a dash of BioShock, Atomic Heart, and some other games. Don’t expect an AAA kind of experience because that is not what the game is. One should approach it while keeping their expectation in check. At least it is not a sequel or remake but rather its own thing. It is the type of game that is worth playing if you are looking for a new experience.
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