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Atomfall: details
Atomfall has been touted as the British Fallout, and it’s true that it has a similar irradiated, retro-technological vibe to Fallout. But the resemblance ends there. It would be much more accurate to describe it as a deliciously unholy mash-up of Stalker, The Wicker Man, and The Quatermass Experiment.
Atomfall walks an original path
One striking area in which Atomfall innovates lies in the way its story is constructed – to be precise in its lack of structure. It eschews cut-scenes almost entirely, preferring to let the story emerge as you explore its three main open-world areas – Casterfell Woods, occupied by Druids who bring strong Wicker Man energy; Skethermore, patrolled by the military, complete with 50s-style battle-robots and automatic turrets; and Slatten Dale, full of outlaws who often rock Clockwork Orange-style outfits.
Kitsch visual design
Cute period touches abound: vacuum-tube machines provided storage for extraneous kit I had collected, for extraction when I needed it, and red telephone boxes offered dialogue with a mysterious voice who may or may not actually have been helping me. Finding the best kit – and some crucial objects without which I wouldn’t have been able to progress – often involved some decent puzzle-solving.
Conclusion
Atomfall presents a fun, satisfying, and surprisingly coherent whole, with its emergent nature adding a bizarre sense of believability to a situation which is very much in the realms of fantasy. On top of that sits the sheer – at times satirically explored – Britishness of proceedings. Atomfall offers gameplay that evolves cleverly and seemingly organically, which can be tackled in a number of different ways. Nostalgia has rarely felt so fresh and original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Atomfall?
A: Atomfall is a post-apocalyptic survival game set in a 1950s England.
Q: What is the game’s storyline like?
A: The game’s storyline is constructed in an innovative way, with no cut-scenes and an open-world design.
Q: What is the gameplay like?
A: The gameplay is a mix of survival mechanics, melee combat, and exploration, with a focus on exploration and discovery.
Q: Is the game’s setting unique?
A: Yes, the game’s setting is a 1950s England after a nuclear disaster, which is a unique twist on the traditional post-apocalyptic setting.
