I Went Mad and Killed Everyone in Atomfall

Join me on a violent jaunt through the English countryside—a 90-minute immersion in Atomfall, the new survival-action game from Rebellion, the minds behind Sniper Elite. I recently spent some time in a North London pub, enjoying a pint and some hands-on playtime, and came away intrigued by Atomfall’s open-ended missions and unsettling atmosphere. I might also have momentarily lost my sanity and decided to assault every NPC in sight, including a probably innocent old lady, with a cricket bat. Let me explain.

Every NPC in Atomfall is killable, from the lowliest grunt to the most crucial quest-giver. Starting the demo, I decided to test this very feature. My approach was, shall we say, less than elegant. Barely two minutes into exploring this digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire, leading to a rather messy encounter with three guards. My weapon of choice? A cricket bat, christened with a liberal splash of digital claret.

Later, I looted a bow and arrow, quickly becoming enamored with its satisfying arc. Mr. Cricket Bat got a well-deserved rest. Nearby, a towering wicker man stood silently, awaiting immolation. I steered clear—I’ve seen how those stories end. Such sights hint at the folk horror undertones that underpin this region of *Atomfall’s* segmented world, comprised of multiple "open zones." The atmosphere is convincingly unnerving, fueling the overarching mystery: what exactly transpired in this once-sleepy, now irradiated corner of England?

My contemplation was interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. Perfect targets for my new bow. One. Two. Three. They fell. My inner Robin Hood briefly emerged before I snapped back to reality—the London pub, the fact it was only 10 AM, and the distinct lack of alcohol consumed.

The bow felt satisfying, but I was more interested in Atomfall’s unique stamina system. Instead of a traditional depleting bar, it uses a heart rate monitor that increases with strenuous activity. Sprinting elevates your heart rate, impacting aiming accuracy. Later, I found a Bow Mastery skill that negates this effect. It's not the most exciting perk, and the skill tree isn't overly complex, but it allows for customization based on your preferred playstyle, whether stealth or direct combat.

Atomfall screenshots

13 ImagesMy only accomplishment thus far: a pile of dead druids. My objective? Initially, I wasn't entirely sure. Aimless exploration of the Casterfall Woods yielded little, so I followed a quest lead: a note directing me to a herbalist, Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, I encountered clues to the larger narrative—a shimmering, oily swirl above a power plant, the apparent cause of Britain's post-apocalyptic state. A nearby phone box rang, a creepy voice warning me to stay away. Too late.

The path was filled with environmental storytelling: an unsettlingly booby-trapped boathouse, the words "get lost" scrawled on its walls, a nearby mound of skulls. Atomfall cultivates a consistently uneasy atmosphere, blending serene forests with zones of terror. While Fallout comparisons are common, Stalker feels a more fitting comparison, tonally and in design.

Reminds me of classic point-and-click adventures in its encouragement to explore every conversational avenue for hints.After another druid massacre (and looting their garden center for herbs), I met Mother Jago at her allotment. Dressed in a plum coat and a skull-and-rose hat, she resembled a magically inclined Angela Lansbury. My hopes for clarity were dashed—she offered vague answers, even after exhausting all dialogue options. This reminded me of classic point-and-click adventures, encouraging thorough exploration of conversation for clues. Finally, a breakthrough: she offered information in exchange for her stolen herbalism book, held captive by the druids in their fortified castle. With a new lead, I set off.

Atomfall’s freeform design allowed for any approach, so I chose a flanking maneuver. A druid patrol near an abandoned petrol station became the unwitting participants in the Battle of the Forecourt, courtesy of my grenade. The enemy AI isn't the most sophisticated, but the resulting carnage alerted archers. A nail bomb, some close-quarters combat, and more bat-swinging ensued. The combat is fun, but not a highlight; it's more of a sideshow to the exploration.

Inside the castle walls, I found a locked hut with a note containing map coordinates for the key. *Atomfall* eschews objective markers, leaving map navigation to the player. Was the book in the hut? Did I need the key? My intuition said no. I proceeded to the main keep.

More druids to dispatch, but no book. A ten-minute search revealed only crafting materials. This exemplifies Atomfall’s obtuse design. There's no hand-holding; the book won't glow. While frustrating at times, I appreciated Rebellion’s commitment to a challenging, explorative experience.

I found myself ultimately encouraged by Rebellion’s approach to make something that challenges the player.Following the map coordinates, I encountered a poisonous plant creature that quickly dispatched me. Reloading, I used some creative parkour to bypass it, retrieving the key from a victim. Back at the hut, I found a perk point and ammo—but no book.

Exploring the castle's depths, I killed the High Priestess and her followers, finding an SMG, a poison bomb recipe, and an atomic battery, hinting at a new questline—but no book. The observant will note the recurring absence of the book.

### Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

My play session ended. The book was in the castle, on a table I’d passed multiple times. Before this revelation, I'd convinced myself it was a ruse. I returned to the herbalist; she had nothing to say. My character's descent into violence was complete, so I killed her. Searching her body, I found a recipe to counter the poison swamp monster. We could have saved time.

Atomfall’s runtime is substantial; developers estimate 4-5 hours minimum, with most players taking around 25. Another player at the demo had a completely different experience, starting with a crashed helicopter, leading to killer robots and mutants. Even a surface-level exploration reveals depth.

Atomfall feels like a game that rewards you the more you indulge in its obfuscated quest design.The lack of direction might be off-putting, but Atomfall rewards engagement with its obtuse quest design. The blurred lines between main and side objectives create peril, encouraging unique player narratives and endings. My ending, despite Mother Jago's demise, will differ from yours.

My time ended. Hands bloodied, I'll embrace my Britishness: cricket bat in hand, off to the pub to let things settle.