Atomfall Review – A Curveball from Rebellion, But a Very Welcome One

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Leading up to the launch of Atomfall in 2025, I expressed that it was the game I was most excited for that year. After getting the opportunity to thoroughly play and review the game, I can confidently say that Rebellion has indeed lived up to my expectations by offering an exceptional gaming experience.

In the distinctive game called Atomfall, I immersed myself in a sprawling tale set against the backdrop of an English countryside brimming with perils and enigmas. This adventure required me to loot, fight, trade, and maneuver stealthily with my adventurous spirit. From the stunning semi-open world scenery to the captivating narrative, Atomfall held my attention without a doubt.

Read on to scope out my full Atomfall review.

Into the Countryside

In Atomfall, you’re immediately thrown into the heart of the excitement, finding yourself in an unknown bunker with no clue about your past or where to go next. With only a few hints about the situation, the thrilling journey begins, placing you in a vast world (divided into different areas) filled with factions, military forces, and occasional mutants.

In this story, Atomfall truly stands out. By weaving actual events into an alternative historical narrative, Rebellion has produced a piece that resonates with those well-versed in history. Moreover, its setting – the picturesque Cumbrian countryside – being a real and vibrant location, adds to its authenticity.

In Atomfall, players enjoy complete freedom. Each choice they make has a significant impact on the game’s conclusion. Characters you encounter can be eliminated regardless of their importance to the plot, and your allegiances are completely optional.

In your journey through Atomfall, you’ll encounter numerous clues that you’ll delve into, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the events and a means to leave the Windscale disaster area. Unlike other games following this structure, I found myself instinctively absorbing every detail and piece of information in Atomfall, eager to unravel its complex puzzles and hidden truths.

As a gamer, I’ve gotta hand it to Rebellion – their story in this game is nothing short of stellar! But what really sets Atomfall apart is its breathtaking world. Compared to the drab backdrop of post-apocalyptic titles like Fallout, this game is vibrant, colorful, and full of life. The atmosphere feels authentic, immersing me completely in the game.

In simpler terms, when I say ‘authentic’, I mean it feels genuinely like England. With its quaint villages, red phone booths, and road signs, it has a perfect charm to it. Plus, the fact that you can easily find Cornish pasties, tea boxes, and cricket equipment everywhere just adds to the authenticity.

Meat on the Bones

On the topic of Cornish pasties, let me segue into the meat on the bones of Atomfall.

The game’s exploration is fairly straightforward because it consists of multiple semi-open areas. Finding every location isn’t difficult, but there are no guides or instructions provided. Instead, you’re given hints and it’s up to you to use them if you want to reveal all the secrets this world has hidden.

The game has a lot of supplementary content, most of which revolves around helping people or discovering things. There aren’t many side ‘tasks’ other than quests. I discovered some unmarked secret items to find, like the gnomes hidden throughout Wyndham Village, and there are also lunchboxes and vintage comics scattered about.

Additionally, I devoted a significant amount of time to overseeing my inventory, as it plays a crucial role in survival-themed games. This leads us quite smoothly into discussing the game’s fundamental aspects, including combat. While combat may seem straightforward, it can get tricky when faced with overwhelming odds or resource scarcity. Unlike traditional games, character progression in this one is more about discovering stimulants than repetitive skill-grinding.

In Atomfall, there are various options for adjusting the level of challenge if you wish to make things tougher for yourself.

In conversations, there are numerous options provided, enabling you to subtly modify your tone and appearance. This flexibility offers a role-playing aspect as you decide whether to come off as aloof towards everyone or act as a beneficial figure within this enigmatic, desolate restricted area.

Throughout my gaming experience, not a single flaw was detected in any of the mechanics. The game boasts a commendable balance and construction quality, providing an enjoyable journey lasting approximately 20 to 30 hours, contingent upon one’s pace while exploring the adventure.

Verdict: Buy

For quite some time, Atomfall was near the top of my wish list, and the version released by Rebellion meets all my expectations without a shadow of a doubt. It’s surprising coming from the Sniper Elite developer, but it’s an enjoyable surprise I wouldn’t mind experiencing again, simply to explore the various possibilities and test different strategies.

You might not find Atomfall breaking any records at awards shows, but it’s certainly a valuable purchase for those seeking an engaging first-person survival game filled with mystery and challenging combat and stealth scenarios. Plus, it’s available on Game Pass, which means you can give it a try without having to spend anything upfront.

Atomfall turns out to be precisely what it aimed for – an intriguing alternate-history journey through uncharted territories of the English countryside. It’s engaging, skillfully crafted, and packed with substance to keep you engrossed for quite a while. What else could one ask for?

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2025-03-21 17:20