Embark on a thrilling journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the latest survival-action game from Rebellion, the masterminds behind Sniper Elite. Recently, I had the opportunity to dive into the game at a North London pub, and what unfolded was a fascinating exploration of Atomfall's open-ended mission design and its eerie atmosphere. In a moment of madness, I found myself attacking every NPC in sight—even an innocent old lady—with a cricket bat. Let me walk you through my chaotic experience.
In Atomfall, no NPC is safe from harm, be it a simple guard or a crucial quest-giver. As I started the demo, I set out to test this feature. My approach was far from refined; within minutes of exploring the digital landscape of Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire, alerting three guards whom I then dispatched with a cricket bat, now baptized in blood.
Later, I acquired a bow and arrow, a weapon I'm particularly fond of in games. With this, I was equipped for both long and short-range combat, allowing my cricket bat a much-needed break. Amidst my journey, I encountered a towering wicker man, a nod to the game's folk horror roots, which I wisely avoided after recalling the ominous fate associated with such structures. Atomfall's world is segmented into multiple "open zones," each contributing to an unsettling atmosphere that deepens the mystery at the heart of this irradiated corner of England.
My contemplation was soon interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became the perfect targets for my new bow, and I couldn't help but feel like Robin Hood as I took them down. The bow's mechanics were satisfying, but it was Atomfall's innovative stamina system that really caught my attention. Instead of a traditional stamina bar, the game uses a heart rate monitor that increases with physical exertion, affecting your aim and accuracy. A Bow Mastery skill manual I found later offered a perk to mitigate this effect, hinting at a skill tree that, while not overly complex, allows for personalized character development tailored to different playstyles.
Atomfall Screenshots
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As I continued my aimless exploration of the Casterfall Woods region, I followed a lead to a herbalist named Mother Jago. Along the way, I noticed subtle environmental storytelling elements, such as a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant hinting at the cause of the apocalypse and a phone box with a creepy warning to stay out of the woods. Atomfall's design evokes the atmosphere of games like Stalker more than Fallout, blending eerie tones with intricate game mechanics.
After another druid massacre and looting their garden center for herbs, I met Mother Jago at her allotment. Her cryptic responses to my inquiries reminded me of classic point-and-click adventures, where every conversation could hold a vital clue. She offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held by the druids in their fortified castle. With this new objective, I approached the castle from the side, engaging in a skirmish at an abandoned petrol station. While the enemy AI wasn't particularly advanced, the combat was enjoyable enough as a side attraction to the main quest of unraveling the game's mysteries.
Inside the castle, I searched for the book, finding only crafting materials and no sign of it. Atomfall's mission design is deliberately obtuse, challenging players to explore and solve puzzles without hand-holding. Following a lead to map coordinates, I encountered a poison plant monster and retrieved keys from one of its victims, but still, no book. In the castle's depths, I killed the High Priestess and her followers, finding an SMG and other items but not the elusive book.
Xbox Games Series Tier List
Xbox Games Series Tier List
After my demo ended, I learned that the book had been on a table I'd overlooked. Frustrated and fully immersed in my character's violent tendencies, I confronted Mother Jago again, only to kill her in my confusion. Searching her body, I found a recipe to combat the poison swamp monster, which could have been the information she promised in exchange for the book.
Atomfall's runtime is substantial, with developers estimating a story completion time of four to five hours at the minimum, and most players taking around 25 hours. The game offers varied experiences, as evidenced by another player's demo session that led them to encounter killer robots and mutants in a completely different region. Atomfall's quest design can be challenging, but it rewards those willing to delve into its mysteries, allowing for a personalized narrative experience in the irradiated English countryside.
With bloodied hands from my violent escapade, I decided to embrace full-British mode: cricket bat in hand, I headed to the pub to wait for the chaos to subside.
