Atomfall Review

Atomfall is an upcoming semi-open-world sci-fi mystery game from Rebellion. It will be released on March 27, 2025, and is priced at $50/£45. Based on the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster of 1957, the game presents a unique take on the post-apocalyptic genre—one that’s surprisingly green and pleasant rather than desolate and barren. Despite its interesting premise and some compelling mystery elements, the game struggles to find its identity among the various systems it introduces but never fully develops.

Setting & Premise

Unlike the typical wasteland scenarios in games like Fallout, Atomfall’s quarantine zone is verdant and lush—filled with pastures, woods, and rolling hills. Instead of radiation, the game employs a sci-fi “MacGuffin” as the central threat. Players take on the role of an amnesiac character trapped in a quarantine zone that’s been locked down for five years, with the primary goal of finding a way to escape.

The setting has a retro-futuristic aesthetic inspired by the ’50s, complete with outlaws, cultists, hostile robots, and dangerous flora. While visually distinct, the game fails to use this aesthetic for meaningful commentary or satire in the way that Fallout does with its similar themes.

Gameplay Systems

The “Leads” System

Rather than traditional quests, Atomfall uses a “leads” system, where players discover potential story threads through exploration, conversations, or finding items. These leads develop into subtasks as you investigate further. This creates a more investigative feel to progression, with conspiracies and mysteries that intersect in interesting ways, allowing for meaningful choices and betrayals.

Combat

Combat is functional but uninspired:

• Firearms are plentiful but ammunition is scarce
• Melee combat is simplistic with no dodge or block mechanics
• Stealth is inconsistently implemented—sometimes overpowered, sometimes useless
• Enemy AI is unpredictable, with human enemies sometimes giving up searches too easily
• Monster encounters tend to be damage-sponge battles that drag on too long

Progression

The skill system is disappointingly shallow:

• Skills are unlocked by finding drugs (for skill points) and books (for skill lines)
• Most skills offer generic buffs like “radiation resistance” or “throwing range.”
• Skills rarely change gameplay in meaningful ways
• Character development is minimal, with the protagonist remaining a blank slate

Survival Elements

Despite being marketed as a “survival-action game,” the survival aspects are minimal:

• Basic crafting for drugs, bombs, and weapon upgrades
• Food items for healing
• Metal detector for “scavenging” (essentially finding loot caches)
• No dynamic weather system or day/night cycle
• Limited environmental hazards

World Design

The game features five interconnected open areas:

• Four outdoor zones with distinct environments
• The Interchange—a massive underground facility that connects all areas

The Interchange stands out as the game’s most compelling environment. This labyrinthine underground complex features light puzzle-solving with an energy-routing mechanic, creates a genuinely unnerving atmosphere, and offers a sense of progression as you gradually master its navigation.

Strengths

• The mystery-solving elements are genuinely engaging
• The Interchange facility creates tension and rewards exploration
• The interconnected lead system allows for meaningful choices and consequences
• The setting is visually distinct from other post-apocalyptic games

Weaknesses

• Lack of commitment to any core gameplay system
• Generic skill progression that doesn’t meaningfully impact gameplay
• Simplistic combat and stealth mechanics
• Underdeveloped survival elements despite marketing
• The setting’s aesthetic is underutilized for commentary or world-building
• Protagonist lacks personality or meaningful character development

Conclusion

Atomfall is a competently made game with some compelling mystery elements and an interesting setting, but it’s held back by its fear of commitment to any particular gameplay style. It borrows elements from Fallout, Stalker, Far Cry, and survival games without fully developing any of these systems. While there’s enjoyment to be found in unraveling its conspiracies and exploring its world, particularly the Interchange facility, the game ultimately lacks the clear identity and focus that would elevate it to greatness.

Despite being Rebellion’s most ambitious game to date, Atomfall doesn’t reach the heights of their Sniper Elite series, which succeeds by building everything around a specific fantasy. For players who enjoy environmental storytelling and mystery-solving in a unique post-apocalyptic setting, there’s value here—but don’t expect the depth of RPG systems, survival mechanics, or combat that the game’s inspirations might suggest.