Key Takeaways
1. Game Inspiration: Atomfall draws inspiration from Fallout New Vegas, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, and The Last of Us, offering more than just a British take on Fallout.
2. Performance: The game runs smoothly on high-end PCs and is accessible on older consoles like PS4 and Xbox One, achieving over 200 FPS at 1440p.
3. World Design: It features a pseudo-open world with three main areas and a village as a transit hub, focusing on exploration and secrets rather than traditional RPG elements.
4. Combat and Exploration: In Survivor mode, players start with no quest markers and must rely on observation and instincts, with a focus on avoiding combat initially.
5. Progression System: Leveling up relies on finding Skill Tonics, which encourages exploration but requires careful planning for character builds, as respec’ing is not possible.
At first look, it’s easy to think of Atomfall as a British take on Fallout. However, there’s already a game like that called Fallout London, which is definitely worth your time. Atomfall, though, offers much more than just a simple comparison. It draws inspiration from Fallout New Vegas, as the developers themselves mentioned, as well as influences from S.T.A.L.K.E.R and The Last of Us.
Performance and Specifications
On my computer (featuring a Ryzen 7 5800X3D, GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, 48 GB DDR4-3200 RAM, and Asrock X570 Taichi), Atomfall ran smoothly at 1440p, achieving more than 200 FPS with all settings maxed out. Plus, the game is available on older consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One, making it accessible for systems built in the last five to six years without any issues.
World and Gameplay
Atomfall is the second game themed around mushrooms released this year, following Avowed, and while it doesn’t include RPG elements, they share some similarities. Both games feature pseudo-open worlds filled with secrets. In Atomfall, there are three main areas, with a village that acts as a transit hub between them. Although the introduction doesn’t break new ground, it seems to be a common trend in recent games.
The nameless hero awakens in a room, having no recollection of the past events. A dying scientist gives you a card and mutters about “The Interchange,” and before you know it, you’re thrown into an open world with just the clothes on your back and a mystery key card that’s nearly worthless. The developers suggest playing on “Survivor” difficulty, which is one level below the hardest, and I completely agree with that recommendation.
Combat and Exploration
In Survivor mode, there are no quest markers and combat is not really an option at the beginning since you only have your fists. The line between main and side quests is often blurry, leading you to juggle both without even realizing it. Although some quests provide map markers, for most of the time, you’ll need to trust your instincts and be observant of your surroundings.
The first few hours were spent evading fights and rummaging through locations for any scraps I could find. Initially, supplies are sparse, but this might change later in the game. One of Atomfall’s many strengths is that enemies give you plenty of time to escape before they engage you. There’s a visual threat meter similar to what you’d find in stealth games.
Progression System
I’m somewhat conflicted about the game’s progression system. Experience points (XP) do not exist, and the only way to level up is through Skill Tonics you find during your journey. These aren’t easy to come by; you have to actively search for them in hard-to-reach areas. While this encourages exploration, it also means you need to plan your build in advance, as respec’ing your points isn’t an option later on.
In summary, Atomfall does a fantastic job of creating a terrifying atmosphere in the early game. It feels less like Fallout New Vegas and more akin to Outlast. From what I’ve seen so far, it’s easy to get multiple playthroughs, each offering a unique experience due to its laissez-faire storytelling style. There’s still much to discover, and we will go into more detail in our full review coming soon. The game is set to launch on March 27 for all major platforms and on March 24 for those who purchased the Deluxe Edition.
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