Uncover the Secrets: How Atomfall’s Leads System Transforms Gameplay!

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The initial perception of Rebellion’s game Atomfall was often likened to “British Fallout,” but after closer examination through previews and hands-on experiences, this comparison seems less fitting than initially thought. Instead, Atomfall can be categorized as an action survival game with a strong emphasis on investigation. This core element of its gameplay enables it to adopt an unusual strategy for quests, progression, and exploration that distinguishes it from other games in the genre. To facilitate these investigations, Rebellion has designed a Leads system, which essentially transforms the player into a post-apocalyptic detective, tasked with navigating trust and allegiances carefully.

In the game Atomfall, the Leads system significantly influences more than just alliances and character interactions. This system enables Rebellion to forgo conventional quest markers and traditional game aspects, instead fostering organic inquiries that intensify the game’s immersion and offer multiple routes to a singular objective. In a recent dialogue with Game Rant, Ben Fisher, head of design at Rebellion, elaborated on the Leads system, emphasizing its role in realizing their ambition for Atomfall to be a “mystery game” that prioritizes player autonomy without confining them to a single optimal path.

Atomfall’s Leads System and Investigative Gameplay Have Interesting Origins

At the onset of the development process for “Atomfall“, Rebellion had planned the game as a 3D Metroidvania title, with players gradually earning new tools and skills that opened up more areas to explore and advanced them along the main storyline. This method, known as “ability gating,” was central to the original design. However, the team later decided to give players access to all tools at the start, making the world of “Atomfall” accessible and allowing players to choose their own path through the primary quest. Fisher further explained this shift in strategy.

In an effort to push boundaries and rely on our core creative ideas, we posed some thought-provoking questions: “What if we remove the linear progression and allow free exploration? What if every character is interchangeable? What if players could eliminate any character they choose? What if there are no predefined quests?” The answers to these queries led to the development of the system you see now, often referred to as the “leads” system, and the immersive, spontaneous feeling that guides you towards the Windscale plant, creating a non-linear gameplay experience.

Fisher added that it was during the development of the investigative style in Atomfall that the team truly believed they had broken the game’s code. He also mentioned that the final stage of Atomfall’s development primarily aimed at locating the ideal balance where the player is provided with enough clues while remaining engrossed in the observation, planning, and deduction aspects of the game.

How the Leads System Governs Atomfall’s Moment-to-Moment Gameplay and Progression

In contrast to many games that utilize quest markers or objectives to guide players through crucial stages, Atomfall relies predominantly on its Leads system, minimizing conventional elements for a more immersive experience. Fisher further elaborates on the Leads system.

Instead of typical quests or missions, Atomfall offers Leads. These Leads can be obtained through dialogues, discovering letters, or finding various items within the quarantine zone. Uncovering a new Lead provides clues about where to proceed next, but you’re on your own in figuring out the solution to these puzzles. The destination of each Lead remains uncertain, and even the information sources may have conflicting agendas, adding an extra layer of mystery to your journey.

Fundamentally, the Leads system underscores the investigative style of gameplay in Atomfall. Fisher disclosed that the team at Rebellion adopted this approach to keep players actively involved in the ‘observation’ aspect of gaming and to highlight the significance of autonomy via exploration.

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2025-03-20 16:30