"Nuclear fallout" played: Post-apocalypse with a difference
Rebellion's survival adventure "Atomfall" sends players on a survival trip through a contaminated zone and doesn't always focus on action.
(Image: Rebellion)
Post-apocalyptic survival role-playing games have been "in" since the huge success of "Fallout". Looting, leveling, crafting, mixed with a good dose of action-packed shooting. At first glance, "Atomfall" looks like a typical representative of the genre, but it does a lot of things differently. Instead of linear quests and brutal action, fans can expect an open-world adventure with numerous solutions and many mysteries.
In "Atomfall", a nameless hero wakes up in a kind of bunker and encounters a world full of weird characters and dangers. There are masked "druids" who are after him like in the movie "Wicker Man", or a few stray soldiers who establish a military regime. There's a lot going on in this cordoned-off area somewhere in an alternative Britain of the Swinging Sixties. It takes a while for our hero to put it all together. A nuclear disaster, a mysterious illness and a meteorite from outer space – create the ideal conditions for sheer chaos and anarchy.
"Atomfall" angespielt (5 Bilder)
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)Rebellion has not given its adventure a conventional storyline. Our hero has to escape, that's all. How he manages it and who he works with is up to him. He explores the area and meets clients. An elitist lady forces him to steal a mysterious book, a scientist wants a secret laboratory sample from him. Often everything is connected and there are often different solutions – and that's just the beginning. An open-world game without a huge game world, but with many paths to the goal.
Successful chaos
In the sometimes long quests, Rebellion mixes traditional survival elements such as the constant search for resources with horror elements. Exploring an underground bunker becomes a sweat-inducing adventure as creepy "savages" suddenly attack from ambush or former scientists attack the players like soulless puppets. Ammunition is scarce, medicines help protect against poison and radiation, but sometimes you just have to take to your heels and get out.
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In the beginning, we felt a little disoriented during our playthroughs, as the game does not provide any clear directional clues. Detective work often awaits the players. Every clue in a note should be read carefully. Sometimes a few valves have to be turned in the right order, sometimes coordinates indicate the exact location of a bunker. "Atomfall" is a game of details.
Unspectacular action
Anyone expecting a great spectacle is in the wrong place. Battles feel rather laborious. A rusty shotgun doesn't do as much damage as the competition and reloading only works when standing still. Every blow with an axe is delayed – and you can feel the intake of breath before each blow. If you prefer to hide in the grass instead, you have to be careful. A small movement is usually enough to attract the attention of your opponents. There is rarely any flow to the game. Action is hard work in "Atomfall".
Our hero can also learn a few special skills. A little resistance here, a little negotiating skill with the traders there. But that doesn't make him a superhero. "Atomfall's" skill tree is clearly laid out, but the path through it is long. The so-called training books and development points are sparsely distributed. All the more reason for players to be pleased when they find an upgrade hidden deep in a bunker.
Does the simple technical and visual implementation match the minimalism of the game principle? The quirky alternative universe, in which robots compete against rusty guns, offers a British black humor charm. So it's not a bad thing if the landscape only looks great in width, but lacks detail up close. The soundtrack is also sparse: if you want to hear everything, you should have a good command of English or switch on the German subtitles. However, this does not spoil the game in this entertaining but idiosyncratic post-apocalyptic adventure.
Interim conclusion
Finally a survival adventure with charm. Instead of ticking off the usual game mechanics, with "Atomfall" Rebellion has opted for an unconventional mission structure with many possible solutions that do justice to the title "open-world". The game also offers an original background scenario and many secrets to explore.
The long paths and sometimes tedious detective work will put off action fans. "Atomfall" requires time and patience, but not well-trained thumbs. A survival adventure away from the mainstream for motivated explorers.
"Atomfall" will be released on March 27 for Windows, PS5 and Xbox Series. USK from 18. It costs approx. 50 – 60 €. We played the Windows version for a few hours for our hands-on.
(mack)