Atomfall is now only a few weeks away, and the post-apocalyptic open-world adventure has been teasing some compelling features. Between a mysterious cult, a handy metal detector, and an exploration-focused story that doesn't hold players' hands, Atomfall seems to take the concept of Fallout and make it more hardcore.
Considering it takes place after a nuclear catastrophe, it's hard not to compare Atomfall to Fallout, but there are plenty of differences that developer Rebellion Developments boasts. The game's Northern English setting and more challenging exploration make Atomfall an incredibly intriguing project, and if one specific mechanic does well, then Fallout may benefit from looking to the title for inspiration.
One Atomfall Gadget Could Be Its Secret Weapon
Atomfall promises a mysterious and compelling take on a post-nuclear world, and one special tool can take exploration to new heights.
Atomfall's Embrace of Experimenting With Its World Could Work Wonders for the Next Fallout
- According to the game's lead designer, Atomfall's environment and difficulty can change based on how players approach the game.
Atomfall's lead designer, Ben Fisher, recently spoke with VideoGamer, and he had some fascinating details to tease. When it comes to the game's world, Fisher stated, "There’s events the player can trigger or completely miss that can have a huge influence on enemy population in the game world, and stuff like that… It might work, it might not… I’m looking forward to finding out." Fisher's comments hint that Atomfall could have a wildly dynamic world that is reliant on how players engage with the surrounding environment. Missing or interacting with certain things can completely change the experience for players, and that's compelling.
Even more interesting, Fisher doesn't even know if this approach to world-building will be a hit or not, which, honestly, makes it even more intriguing. Atomfall's setting is just as important as its story, and it makes sense as to why such an experimental approach would be considered risky. If players miss certain content, it could keep them from exciting lore. On the other hand, though, players could trigger events that could potentially make in-game enemies overwhelming. Ben Fisher's comments raise plenty of questions, but his unsure nature is fascinating.
Atomfall is inspired by an actual nuclear event. The Windscale fire of 1957 remains the biggest nuclear disaster in the history of England and one of the most devastating in world history. Atomfall takes place five years after the event.
The Next Fallout Needs to Bring Players a Strong World
Right now, Fallout 5 is likely several years away at this point, but that also gives developer Bethesda plenty of time to look to other sources for inspiration. After the reception to Starfield, Bethesda will need to make world building a big priority going forward, as much of the criticism of its sci-fi adventure revolves around the world feeling empty. Ben Fisher may not be positive about whether fans will enjoy Atomfall's experimental approach to the game's environment or not, but it may turn out to be a bold risk worth taking. If Atomfall really resonates with its players, Bethesda should probably study the game quite closely in order to see what features and mechanics fans enjoy the most.
Atomfall is set to launch on March 27 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game will also be a day one release for Xbox Game Pass.
Although the game shares a lot of similarities with Fallout on the surface, Atomfall is promising a unique experience. Atomfall's blend of historical fiction and experimentation has the potential to be a big success, especially for Fallout fans who have been looking for something a bit deeper. As the game's release date draws closer, it will be exciting to see just how in-depth Atomfall's experimental qualities are, but only time will tell if Bethesda follows suit.
Atomfall
- Released
- March 27, 2025
- ESRB
- Teen // Blood, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Publisher(s)
- Rebellion Developments
- Number of Players
- 1
WHERE TO PLAY
A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.
Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.
From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.
Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences.
Explore this Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you.
Search, Scavage, Survive: You’ll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it out alive!
Desperate Combat: With weapons and ammunition scarce, each frenetic engagement will see you blend marksmanship with vicious hand-to-hand combat. Manage your heart rate to hold a steady aim and ensure you have the energy you need to reach for your cricket bat and land the killer blow.
Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you. Navigate cult-controlled ruins, natural caves, nuclear bunkers and more as you explore this dense, foreboding world.
Reimagining Windscale: A fictional reimagining of a real-world event, Atomfall draws from science fiction, folk horror, and Cold War influences to create a world that is eerily familiar yet completely alien.
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- PS5 Release Date
- March 27, 2025
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
