The Atomfall Developers Knew It Would Be Compared to Fallout as Soon as It Was Revealed, Average Playthrough Around 25 Hours

At first glance, Atomfall might seem like a Fallout game—a post-apocalyptic adventure, perhaps even set in a post-nuclear England. It's a first-person perspective, set in a post-nuclear world (the name's a pretty big hint!), and features an alternate history, much like Fallout. Rebellion's art director, Ryan Greene, acknowledges the comparisons, stating that the team anticipated them from the game's initial reveal. He notes that their own Jason Kingsley's love for Fallout inevitably led to some parallels, given the shared theme of post-apocalyptic survival.

However, Atomfall is far from a simple Fallout clone. As IGN highlighted last August, it offers a unique and compelling experience. Greene emphasizes that the Fallout comparison is misleading; Atomfall carves its own path. He points out Rebellion's independent status, differentiating it from Bethesda, and highlights the ambitious scope of the project for the studio, while acknowledging it's not on the scale of an Elder Scrolls or Fallout title.

Greene estimates an average playthrough clocks in around 25 hours, though completionists can significantly extend that time. IGN's recent hands-on preview reveals a surprising level of player agency: you can, in fact, kill everyone in the game and still reach an ending. Greene confirms multiple game endings, with some paths closing off if key characters are eliminated, but alternative routes ensure completion remains possible.

Atomfall screenshots

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Unlike traditional RPGs, Atomfall doesn't feature a linear main quest and side quests. Instead, Greene describes the narrative as a "spider web of connected stories," where severing one thread often leads to another, maintaining momentum towards the central mystery. Furthermore, a pacifist playthrough is entirely feasible, with Greene personally verifying progress through a significant portion of the game without resorting to violence.