Atomfall
Review
Fallout Great Britain
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
"The Situation in Cumberland is well at hand"
Atomfall is a game that plunges players into a chilling alternate reality five years after the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster of 1957. In this grim vision of northwest England, the consequences are far more severe. Quarantined zones now scar the landscape around the reactor site, giving rise to isolated factions and a palpable sense of unease. There is a constant reminder of the catastrophe with the unsettling truth of mutated creatures lurking within the region's underground caves and bunkers will inevitably force players to confront the disaster's horrifying legacy.
Despite the pervasive sense of decay, Atomfall manages to capture a peculiar beauty in its desolation. Crumbling buildings and the rusted husks of abandoned vehicles litter the environment, yet nature stubbornly reclaims its territory, painting the landscape with an unsettling mix of decay and vibrant overgrowth. This duality, coupled with the authentic British village aesthetic – right down to the distinctive local accents – creates a uniquely immersive and unsettling atmosphere.
They don't like strangers
Navigating this fractured landscape requires caution, as most inhabitants view outsiders with suspicion. Roaming the countryside are small, aggressive groups of Outlaws who will attack on sight, alongside the more enigmatic and territorial Druids. Adding another layer of tension are the Protocol forces, the remnants of the local military. While they won't immediately open fire, their wary presence means trespassing in restricted areas will quickly turn them hostile.
Firearms can be scavenged throughout Cumberland, but ammunition is a precious commodity. This scarcity often pushes players towards a stealth-oriented approach, relying on the cover of overgrown grass and dilapidated structures to avoid detection. However, even the best-laid plans can go awry, and melee combat becomes a necessary, albeit often perilous, alternative, especially when facing multiple adversaries. The enemy AI, while generally competent, occasionally exhibits quirks. One memorable instance involved exploiting their single-minded pursuit up a ladder, resulting in a comical yet effective bottleneck of bodies, highlighting both the strategic possibilities and occasional jankiness of enemy behavior.
Instead of traditional quests, Atomfall employs a system of "Leads." These narrative breadcrumbs often provide vague geographical hints rather than precise map markers, heavily incentivizing exploration. While this freedom to chart your own course through the dangerous territories of the various factions carries inherent risks, it also yields significant rewards. Venturing off the beaten path often uncovers valuable resources and deeper insights into the unfolding story.
Adding a unique layer to resource management is the absence of a conventional currency. Instead, bartering is the primary means of exchange, utilizing a set of scales to ensure fair trades. Managing your inventory is crucial, as your backpack fills up relatively quickly, and frustratingly, its capacity cannot be increased throughout your journey. To mitigate this limitation, the Pneumatic system offers a form of remote storage, functioning similarly to a vault. However, these Pneumatic Dispatch locations are sparsely distributed and often situated in precarious or out-of-the-way locations, adding another layer of risk and reward to exploration.
The Necessity of Invention
Survival in Atomfall hinges not only on stealth and combat but also on your ability to utilize the environment through its crafting system. Scattered throughout the world are recipes, often found in abandoned buildings, within the possessions of the deceased, or perhaps even traded with wary survivors. These recipes provide the blueprints for creating essential items, ranging from basic medical supplies and makeshift tools to more complex ammunition and survival gear.
The crafting process itself is straightforward, requiring players to gather the necessary ingredients scattered throughout the environment. This might involve scavenging for specific types of flora, salvaging components from broken machinery, or even carefully extracting materials from defeated enemies. The scarcity of certain resources often forces players to make difficult choices about what to craft, further emphasizing the need for careful exploration and resource management. Successfully combining the required ingredients at any point in the game world results in a usable item, offering a tangible reward for your scavenging efforts and strategic planning. The crafting system encourages players to thoroughly explore their surroundings, turning seemingly useless junk into vital tools for survival.
A Journey Measured in Footsteps
One of Atomfall's defining characteristics is its commitment to grounded realism, particularly when it comes to travel. There is no fast travel system to whisk you across the map. Every journey, whether revisiting a previously explored location or venturing into uncharted territory following a new Lead, must be undertaken on foot. This deliberate design choice significantly impacts the pacing and feel of the game.
The act of traversing the landscape becomes an integral part of the experience. Players will become intimately familiar with the contours of Cumberland, retracing their steps through familiar villages and across open fields. This lack of instant gratification heightens the tension of each journey, as every stretch of road and every patch of woodland presents potential dangers from hostile factions or environmental hazards. While some players might find the lack of fast travel tedious, it undeniably contributes to the game's immersive quality, forcing a slower, more deliberate approach to exploration and fostering a deeper connection with the game world. The time spent on foot allows for more organic encounters, the discovery of hidden secrets, and a greater appreciation for the interconnectedness of the environment.
Ultimately, Atomfall is a game that respects the player's intelligence and rewards curiosity. It doesn't hold your hand with a deluge of mandatory objectives, instead offering the freedom to pursue Leads at your own pace and explore the ravaged landscape as you see fit. This player-driven approach ensures that each playthrough feels distinct, shaped by the individual's willingness to delve into the mysteries and dangers of post-nuclear Cumberland. If you're a player who appreciates atmosphere, emergent gameplay, and the satisfaction of uncovering secrets through your own initiative, Atomfall is a journey into a hauntingly beautiful and intellectually engaging world.
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7.1
fun score
Pros
The Leads system that promotes exploration
Cons
Enemy AI can be problematic
