"Atomfall Massacre: I Snapped and Killed All"

Embark on a thrilling and violent journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the new survival-action game from the creators of Sniper Elite, Rebellion. During a recent visit to a pub in North London, I had the chance to dive into the game over a pint, and came away fascinated by its open-ended mission design and the eerie atmosphere it evokes. My experience took a wild turn when I, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically, decided to attack every NPC in sight—including an innocent old lady—with a cricket bat. Let me share why this game captured my attention.

In Atomfall, every NPC, from the most insignificant grunt to crucial quest-givers, can be killed. As I started the demo, I set out to test this feature, albeit clumsily. Within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm and was forced to dispatch three alerted guards using the blunt force of a cricket bat, which quickly became my weapon of choice, baptized in blood.

Later, I found a bow and arrow, which I eagerly equipped, satisfying my love for archery in video games. This allowed me to handle both short and long-range combat, giving my cricket bat a much-needed break. As I explored, I encountered a towering wicker man, a clear nod to the folk horror elements that permeate Atomfall’s segmented world, divided into multiple “open zones.” These elements contribute to the game’s unsettling atmosphere and deepen the mystery surrounding this now-irradiated corner of England.

My contemplation was interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They served as perfect targets for my bow, and as they fell, I couldn't help but think, "I'M ROBIN BLOODY HOOD." The bow felt satisfying to use, but what intrigued me more was Atomfall’s innovative approach to stamina. Instead of a traditional bar, the game uses a heart rate monitor that increases with physical exertion. Sprinting for too long could push your heart rate over 140 bpm, affecting your aim. I later discovered a Bow Mastery skill manual that allowed me to negate the impact of an elevated heart rate on archery, though the skill tree system seemed relatively straightforward. However, it offers enough flexibility to tailor your character's skills to your preferred playstyle, whether stealth or direct combat.

Atomfall Screenshots

13 Images

My initial goal remained elusive as I explored Casterfall Woods without finding significant leads. Eventually, a note directed me to a herbalist named Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, I noticed hints of a larger story, including a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant, suggesting the cause of Britain's post-apocalyptic state. A creepy voice from a ringing phone box warned me to stay out of the woods, adding to the game's eerie atmosphere. The path was dotted with environmental storytelling elements, such as a boathouse with an alarming system and skulls and bones, creating a constant sense of unease. While comparisons to Fallout are common, Atomfall feels more akin to Stalker, both in tone and design.

After another druid massacre, I looted their garden center home for herbs before meeting Mother Jago at her allotment retreat. She resembled Angela Lansbury if she had ventured into black magic aromatherapy. My hopes for clear answers were dashed as she offered only vague responses, reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures where you must explore every conversation for clues. Eventually, she offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held by the druids in their fortified castle. With a new objective, I returned across the map, ready to retrieve it.

Atomfall's freeform design allowed me to approach the castle from any angle. I chose a side attack, encountering a druid patrol near an abandoned petrol station. The ensuing battle was chaotic but fun, though the enemy AI lacked sophistication. After dealing with archers using a nail bomb, I closed in for close combat, enjoying the visceral experience despite the combat not being top-tier.

Inside the castle's outer walls, I found a locked hut with a note hinting at distant keys. Atomfall doesn’t use objective markers, instead encouraging players to use their map to set personal markers. Despite my hunch suggesting otherwise, I decided to explore the central keep. After dispatching more druids, I searched its corridors but found no sign of the book, only crafting materials. This reinforced Atomfall’s challenging mission design, which doesn’t spoon-feed players but rather encourages exploration and detective work.

Following the coordinates to the keys led me to a poison plant monster. Rifle bullets were ineffective, so I used my Skyrim-inspired bunny-hopping to evade it and retrieve the keys from a previous victim. Back at the hut, I found perks and ammo but not the book I sought.

Venturing deeper into the castle, I killed the High Priestess and her followers, finding an SMG, poison bomb recipe, and an atomic battery that hinted at new quests. Yet, the book remained elusive. After my session, I learned it was on a table I had overlooked. Frustrated, I returned to Mother Jago, killed her in my confusion, and found a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster. It seemed the valuable information she promised was tied to this recipe.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Atomfall’s developers at Rebellion estimate a story completion time of four to five hours for speedrunners, with most players taking around 25 hours. My fellow demo participant had a completely different experience, encountering a crashed helicopter and a region filled with killer robots and mutants. This suggests a rich, varied world with many secrets to uncover.

While the game’s objectives can be frustratingly obtuse, Atomfall rewards players who engage deeply with its quest design. The blurred lines between side and main objectives add tension and encourage players to craft their own narratives and conclusions about the events in this irradiated English countryside. Despite my violent detour with Mother Jago, I'm eager to see how my story unfolds.

With my hands bloodied from my rampage, I embraced full-British mode: cricket bat in hand, I headed back to the pub to let the chaos of Atomfall settle.