The Things We Know About Atomfall

Atomfall is an action survival game developed by Sniper Elite studio Rebellion Developments. The game is based on an investigation into the Windscale Disaster, a real nuclear scare that occurred in 1957. Atomfall allows the player to investigate this disaster in an alternate timeline and uncover the truth behind what led to the incident. To uncover these truths the player must first survive the terrifying post-apocalyptic North English countryside. Survival is no easy feat in Atomfall, as the main character has been quarantined for five years following the incident. Players must learn to stand on their own two feet and live among the dangers of the sketchy wasteland.

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Atomfall was first announced at the Xbox Games Showcase back in June 2024. The game is multiplatform and set for release on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Details on Atomfall have been previously scarce, but there are some important points to share on Rebellion’s British-themed survival experience.

1 The Protagonist has Amnesia

Star Of The Show

Atomfall lets players control an amnesiac protagonist, meaning that the character doesn’t remember a single thing from before they wake up. This level of mystery leads to compelling storytelling, as players are constantly gaining new clues and context about life before and after the nuclear incident.

What adds an extra layer is that the character is designed to be ambiguous, avoiding any sign of race, age, or gender. Most footage online shows the first-person player wearing gloves; a smart decision in a toxic environment. This decision isn’t just about the practicality though, because it allows the player to imagine themselves as the protagonist, no matter what their background is.

2 Atomfall Is Set Five Years After The 1957 Windscale Disaster

Based On Real Life Events

Atomfall picks up five years after the historic Windscale fire that took place on October 10th, 1957. This real-life event was the worst nuclear accident in the United Kingdom’s history. The fire burned for three days and released a radioactive fallout that spread across the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.

The fire was started due to an aluminium cannister bursting inside of the No.1 reactor. However, Atomfall will revise this story, creating an alternate timeline of events. Using the speculative fiction style made popular in the 1950s/60s, Atomfall empowers players to learn the truth behind the game’s version of the devastating Windscale disaster.

3 Atomfall Is Set in England’s Beautiful Lake District

A Location Underrepresented In Gaming

Atomfall is set in a beautiful part of North England called the Lake District, Cumbria. The area is known for its outstanding lakes and landscapes. It’s the home of England’s largest National Park, and these days it’s a big tourist location.

Players of Atomfall may not find such a peaceful environment, though, as they’ll be forced to survive in an area full of hostile robots, creatures, and cultists. Rebellion has worked hard to ensure that Atomfall captures the authenticity of the environment and the era of Britain that the game is set in. Players can expect to feel the post-war paranoia that was prevalent during the 50s/60s. It even pays cultural homage to popular British shows like Doctor Who, Day of the Triffids, and The Quartermass Experiment.

4 Atomfall Borrows Mechanics From Sniper Elite

Borrowing From An Older Sibling

Sniper Elite players may feel at home when picking up Atomfall. That is because the same developer is behind both games. Rebellion Developments had an award-winning formula with Sniper Elite 5, so it makes sense to use some of that development magic in their new works.

Atomfall will feature interconnected maps, similar to how the Sniper Elite games are designed. Those familiar with Sniper Elite know that sneaking around the maps is a pivotal part of the experience, and it’s no different in Atomfall. Maps are designed to allow players to be stealthy and tactical in their approach.

5 Atomfall Blends Mystery, Sci-Fi, And Horror Elements

Bursting With Variety

When Atomfall was first announced, many talked about the game’s similarities with Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic RPG series, Fallout. While there are certainly some similarities, Atomfall is bursting with originality.

Atomfall’ s main plot is a conundrum that has the player desperately searching for more answers. Is this military group sent in to quarantine us really there to help everyone? Players may ask themselves as the group continues to guard key zones. There are some very sinister conspiracies at play, giving Atomfall some of the best mystery storytelling around. In addition, the game has trippy horror vibes, with dark interiors to explore, where it's never quite known what will be around the next corner. There are also giant patrol robots, mutated creatures, and an array of sci-fi-esque gadgets and gizmos. Atomfall is designed to be an open-world game that offers players a variety of experiences.

6 Atomfall Doesn’t Have A Traditional Main Quest

Progression Is All Up To The Player

Progression in Atomfall is open-ended, putting freedom into the hands of the player to uncover new leads and clues. As players chase leads, they’ll often encounter new events occurring in the world, like murders that need to be solved, or helicopter crashes. These events open up new threads, ensuring that the player is rarely at a loss for things to do.

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Exploration is a key component of Atomfall. The focus is the player’s sense of discovery as they traverse the detail-rich countryside in the Lake District. There are no mission markers or arrows leading to objectives. Players have the freedom to take the game at their own pace.

7 There Is No Currency, Just A Bartering System

Every Item Has Value

Atomfall has no global gold or currency that players accumulate throughout their game. Instead, the economy runs on a bartering system, where vendors decide which goods are equal in value to the player’s desired purchase. For instance, if the player wants to buy a new handgun from the local weapons vendor, they may need to trade several supplies until the value proposition is equal.

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During a trade, an animated scale appears at the top of the screen to indicate whether the player’s offering is enough. This system puts a larger emphasis on looting and item management, giving intrinsically more value to each individual item that is picked up.

8 The B.A.R.D Organization Is One Of The Major Antagonists

There's Something Sketchy With This Group

The British Atomic Research Division, or B.A.R.D, is one of the major antagonists that players will encounter in Atomfall. This group has a fleet of giant robots that are programmed to do anything necessary to maintain the quarantine.

B.A.R.D certainly has its secrets, but the group also has some of the best resources that players can acquire in the game. That means players are encouraged to scavenge their science bunkers. There may even be important leads in these locations.

9 Enemies Include Giant Robots, Mutants, And Strange Creatures

Danger Lurks Everywhere

Atomfall has no shortage of formidable foes, as the player will be going up against some of the fiercest threats. It’s a good thing that the game features a variety of melee and ranged weapons because enemy threats can range between rats and oversized robots. Players will often encounter groups of hostile rats as they navigate through dark, damp alleyways. Leeches will overwhelm players while lurking in the water. Mutants provide many jump scares when looting bunkers and science labs. And hostile soldiers or cultists will be all too happy to fight should players enter restricted areas.

One of Atomfall's biggest challenges comes in the form of giant robots. Taking down one of the robots is no easy task. Players must be well-prepared when engaging these robots as they are kitted with flamethrowers.

10 No NPC Is Safe

Plot Armor Doesn't Exist Here

Non-playable characters (NPCs) in Atomfall have zero plot armor. What does this mean? Players have the choice of taking out every single character they encounter, whether they’re friendly or not. In Rebellion’s own words, the player has the choice to become the only person left standing.

However, many of the NPCs either have useful supplies or important information to share. Some NPCs will offer to help the player escape the quarantine zone in exchange for a string of favors. Others will have useful leads to follow up on in investigations. But there’s no shortage of NPCs who are out to manipulate the protagonist. Factions can be a player’s worst enemy, or their biggest ally, depending on how they interact with the members. It’s all up to the player to decide who they trust as there are vast shades of gray when it comes to interacting with the many characters in Atomfall.