The aesthetic is very muchBritish Fallout.
Clearly inspired by the pandemic, Atomfalls setting is brilliantly realised and consistent throughout.
But the setting is only as important as how you explore it.
Thankfully, Atomfall has a fantastic approach to quests.
However, its actually a refreshing way to approach a game thats reminiscent of immersive sims.
Then youll hear some gossip from the baker or the pub landlord.
These clues will build up until youve got a vague picture of what happened to this poor woman.
With enough information, you’re free to locate her long-boarded up house and investigate.
Its brilliant to hear so many northern accents in a game.
Theres even a Scouser or two, although Im not sure why they relocated to the lakes!
The exotic holiday resort of Rhyl even gets a mention.
This isnt a new system of giving quests many games have dropped similar hints for minor plot points before.
However, Atomfalls commitment to this is admirable.
On that note, Id recommend playing on the recommended difficulty setting for a few reasons.
That said, the difficulty is more than just a slider.
More Stalker Than Fallout
The gameplay loop is not at all what I expected.
RPG elements in Atomfall are light, barebones additions that dont really impact gameplay in any noticeable manner.
If you want to build a makeshift grenade and sneakily place it in an enemy encampment, however?
This might just be the game for you.
Just as there are many ways to approach quests, there are multiple ways to deal with combat.
However, I wouldnt advise a gung-ho (or should that begun-ho?)
Atomfall actively discourages you from using its most powerful weapons.
Guns are loud and largely inaccurate.
The best approach to combat is stealthy and methodical.
A sneak attack from behind will take out an opponent in one blow.
Its pretty quiet, too, and can be more effective with the addition of perks.
But you cant do this to a group of enemies, or the others will see you.
Hence the planning comes in.
Atomfalls combat isnt meant to be tackled like a Bethesda RPG.
When you do so, it falls flat and quickly becomes boring.
This is what makes the lower difficulties so uninteresting.
This is a survival game through and through.
Without the constant threat, the entire gameplay loop falls flat.
Fight To Survive
I respect Atomfalls commitment to its survival elements.
Thats not to say there arent downsides, however.
I rate the lack of fast travel, but the crafting could be better.
I found myself picking up enough loot that I rarely needed to craft anything.
Similarly, the main narrative is dull.
I couldnt bring myself to care about Oberon or the science experiment gone awry.
However, sub-plots and emergent storytelling more than make up for this.
This is a game that really lets you do what you want.
Side with the downtrodden villagers.
Side with the despotic regime keeping them from leaving.
Kill everyone on both sides.
Theyre all valid paths to follow.
It can be a stealth game, an immersive sim, a detective game.
Im not convinced its an RPG, but thats okay, too.
Now grab that cricket bat and decapitate a zombie before it eats your brains with Yorkshire puddings and gravy.
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Reviewed on PC.
