Atomfall Massacre: A Survivor's Tale

Embark on a violent odyssey through the English countryside—that's 90 minutes of hands-on time with Atomfall, the new survival-action game from Rebellion, the minds behind Sniper Elite. A recent pub visit in North London provided the perfect setting for a pint and some gameplay, leaving me captivated by Atomfall’s open-ended missions and unsettling atmosphere. I might have also temporarily lost my sanity and assaulted several NPCs with a cricket bat, including an innocent-looking old lady. Let me explain.

Every NPC in Atomfall is killable, from lowly grunts to crucial quest-givers. My demo began with a self-imposed mission: test this very feature. My approach was less than subtle; within two minutes of exploring this digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire, forcing me to eliminate three guards. My weapon of choice? A cricket bat, christened with a generous splash of digital claret.

Later, I looted a bow and arrow, embracing my inner archery enthusiast. Long and short-range combat became my new playground, allowing Mr. Cricket Bat a well-deserved rest. A looming wicker man, silently beckoning to be set ablaze, caught my eye. I wisely avoided that particular encounter; I’ve seen how those stories end. Such imagery hints at the folk horror undertones forming the foundation of this region, one of several "open zones" comprising *Atomfall's* segmented world. This creates a palpable sense of unease, fueling the overarching mystery: what transpired in this once-peaceful, now-irradiated corner of England?

My musings were interrupted by a group of druids—likely connected to the wicker man. They served as ideal targets for my newfound bow. One. Two. Three. They fell. My inner Robin Hood momentarily emerged before I snapped back to my London pub reality. (No drinks yet, I promise; it's only 10 AM.)

The bow felt satisfying, but Atomfall's unique stamina system intrigued me more. Instead of a traditional depleting/regenerating bar, a heart rate monitor tracks exertion. Sprinting increases your bpm, affecting aiming accuracy. Later, I found a Bow Mastery skill, mitigating the impact of a racing heart on drawing the bowstring. While not the most exciting perk, the skill tree seemed flexible enough to tailor your character to your preferred playstyle, favoring stealth over gunplay, for instance.

Atomfall screenshots

13 ImagesMy only achievement thus far: a pile of dead druids. My overall goal? Even I wasn't entirely sure. Aimless exploration of Casterfall Woods yielded little, so I followed my only lead: a note directing me to a herbalist, Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, clues hinted at the larger narrative: a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant, seemingly the cause of Britain's post-apocalyptic state. A creepy voice from a ringing phone booth warned me to avoid the woods—too late.

The path was filled with unsettling details: a boathouse rigged with alarms, the words "get lost" scrawled on it, and a nearby mound of skulls. Atomfall cultivates a consistently uneasy atmosphere, contrasting serene forests with terrifying zones. While Fallout comparisons are common, Stalker and its sequel feel more fitting, tonally and in design.

This reminded me of classic point-and-click adventures, encouraging thorough exploration of dialogue for clues.“After another druid massacre (and looting their garden center for herbs—a thyme-ly event), I met Mother Jago at her allotment. Resembling a magically inclined Angela Lansbury, she offered vague answers, despite my exhaustive questioning. This reminded me of classic point-and-click adventures, encouraging thorough exploration of dialogue for clues. A breakthrough: she offered information in exchange for her stolen herbalism book, held hostage at the druids' castle. My new objective: retrieve the book.

Atomfall's freeform design allowed any approach, so I attacked from the side. A druid patrol near an abandoned petrol station initiated the "Battle of the Forecourt," with a grenade as my opening salvo. The AI wasn't the most reactive, but the resulting carnage alerted archers. A nail bomb, followed by close-quarters combat, swiftly ended their advance. While fun, the combat felt more of a sideshow to the main event: uncovering the world's secrets.

After sniping some axe-wielding brutes, I entered the castle's outer walls, finding a locked hut with map coordinates hinting at a distant key. *Atomfall* lacks objective markers, requiring players to mark points of interest. Could the hut contain the book? My hunch: no. I headed straight for the main keep.

Inside, more druids met their end, but no book. A ten-minute search revealed only crafting materials. This highlights Atomfall's obtuse mission design. No hand-holding here. While frustrating at times, Rebellion's approach challenges players, sticking to its explorative vision.

I found myself ultimately encouraged by Rebellion’s approach to make something that challenges the player.Following the coordinates, I encountered a poison plant monster, easily dispatching me. Reloading, I used parkour to bypass it, retrieving the key from a victim. Back at the hut, I found a perk point and ammo—but no book.

Exploring the castle's depths, I killed the High Priestess, looted an SMG, a poison bomb recipe, and an atomic battery, unlocking a new questline—but still no book.

### Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

My demo ended with the revelation: the book was in the castle, on a table I'd overlooked. Believing it a ruse, I killed Mother Jago, finding a recipe to combat the swamp monster. Time saved, but not much.

Atomfall's runtime is substantial—four to five hours minimum, with 25 hours being typical. Gameplay varies greatly; another player at the demo had a completely different adventure, encountering a crashed helicopter and killer robots. Even a surface-level exploration reveals depth and secrets.

Atomfall feels like a game that rewards you the more you indulge in its obfuscated quest design.“The obtuse objectives might deter some, but Atomfall rewards engagement with its obfuscated design. The blurred lines between main and side quests add peril, encouraging players to forge their own narratives and endings. My ending, despite Mother Jago's demise, will differ from yours.

My time ended, my hands bloodied, I embraced my inner Brit: cricket bat in hand, off to the pub to let things settle.