Atomfall by Rebellion dives deep into the heart of a survival-action game set a few years after the infamous Windscale nuclear incident in Northern England. Step into this gripping adventure in our review of Atomfall.
This game is rooted in actual events, drawing inspiration from the devastating nuclear fire that raged uncontrollably in the UK on October 10, 1957. Lasting three grueling days, it released dangerous radioactive contaminants that spread throughout the UK and Europe, marking one of the globe’s most catastrophic nuclear accidents. Atomfall takes this real-life horror and imagines an even graver outcome.
The region around the disaster’s core has been sealed off, leaving a mysteriously impenetrable quarantine zone. What lies beyond remains a mystery. You awaken in a deserted bunker, with no memory of your identity or how you came to be there. Friendly locales are rare, and within the seclusion of five years, the inhabitants have adapted to their isolation in peculiar ways. Various factions, including the Protocol, B.A.R.D. (British Atomic Research Division), Outlaws, and Druids, now vie for dominance—creating an atmosphere where danger is only a footstep away.
Survival hinges on your ability to scavenge and craft necessities to combat both human and mutated foes. With resources stretched thin, making the most of what you find is vital. Firearms might be few and far between, requiring you to often rely more on short-range weapons, given the scarcity of ammo. A couple of early pistols might become useless unless you conserve their ammunition wisely. For more impact, a single-shot rifle could help—though its slow rate of fire demands careful consideration during encounters with multiple threats.
Atomfall offers five levels of difficulty: Sightseer, Investigator, Brawler, Survivor, and Veteran. Sightseer is for those interested in the story over combat, while Investigator steps up the challenge without overwhelming you. Brawler pushes back against missteps, and Survivor delivers what Rebellion believes is the balanced experience. Top it off with Veteran level for those seeking an intense, punishing experience.
The gameplay unfolds from a first-person perspective, giving you full control as you explore. Movement is flexible; a gentle press on the left analog stick lets you run, and crouching—by tapping the Circle button—is essential for stealth. Being discreet can get you through unscathed or offer a chance to regroup in a tight spot. Jump with X, kick adversaries with L1 to gain an upper hand, and rely on the D-Pad for quick access to select items.
Combat is immersive: R2 for general attacks, R1 for powerful strikes. Want to aim with precision? Prepare to shoot by pressing L2, then reload with Square. Keep your nervousness in check; a calm heart rate steadies your hand. Among the variety of moves, such as well-placed kicks, you can surprise enemies with throwable weapons via the weapon wheel—L1 is your gateway to crafty tactics like a Molotov cocktail on unsuspecting foes. A sneaky takedown from behind can save ammo too but might just break silence.
Instead of typical quests, Atomfall introduces Leads. They’re breadcrumbs—perhaps picked up in conversation, or through items you find—that require you to decipher their value. Leads can be misleading, a deliberate ploy to keep you off course, resulting in a more authentic, self-guided experience as no new waypoints will guide you. You’ll have to create compass markers yourself to remain on track.
The bizarre economy of Atomfall revolves around bartering, urging you to trade carefully collected items for things that might save your skin later, like powerful weapons or healing supplies. Not every trade will be straightforward; traders have their own preferences and inventories, so shop around to maximize your returns. Being well-prepared isn’t just about having items; it’s about having the right ones.
Crafting is another cornerstone—recipes pave the way to new items. Discover them while exploring or purchase them from traders. Once a recipe is yours, understand the ingredients needed to create or repair weapons. These have quality tiers: rusty, stock, and pristine. Typically, you’ll encounter rusty weapons; use crafting to improve them if you have duplicates and some gun oil, boosting their performance.
Develop your survival skills using Training Stimulants to unlock new capabilities. Among these, Thick Skin reduces melee damage, Weapon Throw Training enhances the impact and speed of thrown weapons, and Charisma increases your trade offerings’ value. There are skills to improve max health too, all unlocking extra strategic depth.
Atomfall accommodates a few accessibility features, ensuring more players can embark on this journey. Adjust UI elements for readability, and tweak color settings to enhance visibility. Subtitles, NPC highlights, and different traversal assistance can be fine-tuned, alongside camera behavior and motion effects. Audio cues lend extra layers to help pinpoint opponents or secrets, adding to the immersion.
With its retail release, Atomfall delivers a full trophy collection, complete with a Platinum trophy for trophy hunters. It’s a Cross-Buy game, letting PS5 owners play both the PS4 and PS5 versions, doubling the opportunity to rack up accomplishments. From finding collectibles—like metal detector caches and comics—to using items and completing skill objectives, it’s packed with challenges to satisfy every completionist.
As Atomfall draws us into its world, inspired by true historical events, we’re tasked with surviving its post-Windscale realm. Launching March 27, Atomfall provides an intricate survival-action experience, available across PS4 and PS5 for $59.99. For a deeper dive, the Deluxe Edition offers early access and added content for $79.99.
So, can you navigate and conquer this tumultuous world before it consumes you? Our journey through this compelling title tests endurance, wit, and the power of human determination. With a keen eye and resourceful hand, see if you can write your story of survival in Atomfall.
