"Atomfall: My Descent into Madness and Massacre"

Embark on a thrilling and violent journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the latest survival-action game from the creators of Sniper Elite, Rebellion. Recently, I had the chance to dive into the game during a hands-on session at a North London pub, and I was captivated by its open-ended mission design and haunting atmosphere. My experience took a wild turn when I decided to unleash chaos, attacking everyone in sight, including an innocent old lady, with a cricket bat. Let me share why this game left such a strong impression.

In Atomfall, every NPC, from the lowliest grunt to the most crucial quest-giver, can be killed. As I began the demo, I set out to test this feature. My approach was far from subtle; within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm, forcing me 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 acquired a bow and arrow, which I eagerly equipped, satisfying my love for archery in games. This allowed me to engage enemies at both long and short range, giving my cricket bat a much-needed break. As I explored, I encountered a towering wicker man, a nod to the game's folk horror elements that permeate the segmented world of Atomfall, divided into multiple "open zones." This eerie setting fueled my curiosity about the mysterious events that led to this once-sleepy corner of England becoming irradiated.

My musings were interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became perfect targets for my new bow, and as I took them down, I couldn't help but feel like Robin Hood. The bow felt satisfying to use, but what intrigued me more was Atomfall's innovative stamina system. Instead of a traditional depleting bar, the game uses a heart rate monitor that increases with physically demanding actions. Sprinting, for instance, can push your heart rate over 140 bpm, affecting your aim and accuracy. I later discovered a Bow Mastery skill manual that mitigated the impact of a high heart rate on drawing the bowstring, though the skill tree seemed straightforward, it offered enough flexibility to tailor your character's abilities to your preferred playstyle, whether stealth or combat.

Atomfall screenshots

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With my only notable achievement being a trail of dead druids, I sought a clearer purpose. Following a note, I ventured towards a herbalist named Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, I noticed hints of a larger narrative, such as a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant, suggesting its role in Britain's post-apocalyptic state. A ringing phone box and a creepy warning to stay out of the woods added to the game's unsettling atmosphere. The environment was rich with story elements, like an old boathouse with an alarm system and a mound of skulls, reminiscent of games like Stalker rather than Fallout, due to its tone and design.

After another druid massacre and looting their garden center for herbs, I met Mother Jago at her allotment. Her cryptic responses to my questions echoed the style of classic point-and-click adventures, encouraging thorough exploration of dialogue for clues. She offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held hostage in a druid castle. I approached the castle from the side, engaging in a skirmish at an abandoned petrol station. The enemy AI, while not the most advanced, provided satisfying combat, though it's clear that Atomfall's combat is more of a fun diversion than the main focus.

Inside the castle, I found no sign of the book, only crafting materials. Atomfall's mission design is deliberately obtuse, challenging players to explore without hand-holding. After following map coordinates to retrieve keys from a poison plant monster, I returned to the castle, still without the book. Venturing deeper, I killed the High Priestess and her followers, uncovering new items and questlines, but still no book.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

It was only after my session ended that I learned the book was in the castle, on a table I had overlooked. Frustrated and confused, I returned to Mother Jago, only to kill her in my descent into violence, finding a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster. The developers at Rebellion mentioned that completing the story could take between four to five hours for some, while most players might spend 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, highlighting the game's varied and deep content.

Atomfall's quest design may be too obscure for some, but it rewards those who embrace its challenges. The blurred lines between side and main objectives create a sense of peril and encourage players to craft their own narratives within the game's world. Despite my violent path and the death of Mother Jago, I'm eager to see how my story unfolds, likely different from others' experiences.

With my hands stained from the chaos I caused, I embraced my British roots, taking my cricket bat to the pub to reflect on the wild journey through Atomfall's irradiated English countryside.