Atomfall Massacre: A Survivor's Tale

Embark on a violent odyssey through the English countryside—that's 90 minutes with Atomfall, the new survival-action game from Rebellion, the minds behind Sniper Elite. I recently spent some time with a preview build in a North London pub, enjoying a pint and some hands-on playtime. I was immediately captivated by Atomfall’s open-ended mission design and unsettling atmosphere. I might also have lost my marbles and decided to attack everyone in sight—including a sweet old lady who probably didn't deserve it—with a cricket bat. Let me explain.

Every NPC in Atomfall is killable, from the lowliest grunt to the most important quest-giver. Starting the demo, I decided to put this to the test. My approach was, shall we say, less than graceful. Within two minutes of exploring this digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire, leading to a rather brutal introduction to the game's combat system, using a cricket bat as my weapon of choice.

Later, I looted a bow and arrow, quickly switching to ranged combat. Nearby, a looming wicker man stood silently, a stark visual element hinting at the folk horror themes woven into *Atomfall’s* segmented world, comprised of multiple "open zones." This unsettling atmosphere fuels the central mystery: what exactly transpired in this once-peaceful, now irradiated corner of England?

My contemplation was interrupted by a group of druids, perfect targets for my newfound archery skills. They fell swiftly, prompting a brief internal Robin Hood fantasy before I snapped back to reality—a London pub, still early in the morning.

The bow felt satisfying, but I was more intrigued by Atomfall’s unique stamina system. Instead of a traditional depleting bar, it uses a heart rate monitor that increases with strenuous activity. Sprinting, for example, pushes your heart rate over 140 bpm, impacting aiming accuracy. Later, I found a Bow Mastery skill that negates this effect, a simple but effective example of the skill tree's customization options. It's not overly complex, but allows tailoring your character to your preferred playstyle.

Atomfall screenshots

13 ImagesMy only accomplishment so far: a pile of dead druids. My goal? Initially, aimless exploration of the Casterfall Woods region yielded little, so I followed a note leading me to a herbalist, Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, I encountered environmental storytelling: shimmering oily swirls over a power plant, the apparent cause of Britain's post-apocalyptic state, and a creepy phone call warning me away. Too late!

The path was filled with such details: a disturbingly rigged boathouse, a skull-strewn mound, and an overall unsettling atmosphere reminiscent of Stalker, more so than Fallout.

Following another druid massacre (and looting their garden center for herbs), I met Mother Jago. Her appearance—plum-colored coat, animal skull hat—was striking. However, she offered vague answers, mirroring classic point-and-click adventure dialogue. A breakthrough: she’d trade valuable information for her stolen herbalism book, held captive by the druids. A new lead!

Atomfall’s freeform design allowed me to approach the druids' castle from the side. A grenade, followed by a nail bomb, dealt with a patrol. The enemy AI wasn't overly sophisticated, but the combat was satisfyingly visceral. It's not top-tier, but a fun element of exploration.

Inside the castle, I found more druids to subdue but no book. My search yielded crafting materials but no book, highlighting *Atomfall’s* obtuse quest design. It's challenging but rewarding, encouraging exploration.

This lack of hand-holding continued. Following map coordinates led me to a toxic creature. After reloading, I bypassed it, retrieving keys from a victim. Back at the hut, I found a perk point and ammo, but still no book.

Exploring the castle's depths, I killed the High Priestess, looted an SMG, and found a recipe for poison bombs and an atomic battery, starting a new questline—but time ran out. Still no book.

### Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

The book was in the castle, on a table I'd passed numerous times. My frustration led me to believe the book was a ruse, so I killed Mother Jago. Searching her body, I found a recipe to combat the poison swamp monster. Time wasted!

Atomfall’s runtime is estimated at 4-5 hours for a rushed playthrough, 25 hours for a thorough exploration. Another player at the demo had a completely different experience, highlighting the game's variability.

Atomfall rewards those who embrace its obfuscated quest design. The lack of direction might be off-putting, but the blurring of main and side objectives adds peril and encourages personalized narratives.

My time ended with bloodied hands and a murdered herbalist. Time for a pint and reflection.