Atomfall Massacre: I Went Mad and Killed All

Embark on a thrilling and violent journey through the English countryside with Atomfall, the new survival-action game from the creators of Sniper Elite, Rebellion. I recently spent 90 minutes in a North London pub, not just enjoying a pint but also diving into the hands-on gameplay of Atomfall. The game's open-ended mission design and its eerie atmosphere left me intrigued, and perhaps a bit unhinged, as I found myself attacking every NPC in sight, including an innocent old lady, with a cricket bat. Let me share my experience with you.

In Atomfall, every NPC, from the lowliest grunt to the most crucial quest-giver, can be killed. As I began the demo, I decided to test this mechanic, albeit clumsily. Within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm, forcing me to dispatch three guards with the blunt end of a cricket bat, now baptized in their blood.

Later, I acquired a bow and arrow, satisfying my love for archery in games. This new weapon allowed me to handle both long and short-range encounters, giving my cricket bat a much-needed break. As I explored further, I encountered a towering wicker man, a clear nod to the folk horror elements that underpin Atomfall's world. These elements create an unsettling atmosphere, enhancing the mystery of what caused this once-sleepy corner of England to become irradiated.

My musings were interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became perfect targets for my bow, and as they fell, I couldn't help but think, "I'M ROBIN BLOODY HOOD." The bow felt great to use, but what intrigued me more was Atomfall's unique stamina system. Instead of a traditional bar, it uses a heart rate monitor that increases with physical exertion. Sprinting can push your heart rate over 140 bpm, affecting your aim. I later found a Bow Mastery skill manual that mitigates the impact of a high heart rate on drawing the bowstring, though the skill tree isn't the most complex, it offers enough flexibility to tailor your character's skills to your preferred playstyle.

Atomfall screenshots

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My initial goal seemed unclear, but a note pointed me toward a herbalist named Mother Jago, near an old mine. Along the way, I noticed hints of a larger story, such as a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant and a creepy phone call warning me to stay out of the woods. The environment is filled with small, eerie touches that contribute to Atomfall's uneasy vibe, reminiscent of games like Stalker rather than Fallout.

After another druid massacre and looting their garden center for herbs, I met Mother Jago. She resembled Angela Lansbury, but with a twist toward black magic aromatherapy. Despite my thorough questioning, she gave vague answers, reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures where every conversation must be explored for clues. Eventually, she offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held at the druids' fortified castle.

Atomfall's freeform design allowed me to approach the castle from any angle. I encountered a druid patrol near an abandoned petrol station, leading to a fierce battle. The enemy AI, while not the most reactive, made for a satisfying combat experience, though it's clear that Atomfall's strength lies more in exploration than in top-tier combat.

Inside the castle's outer walls, I found a locked hut with a note hinting at distant map coordinates for the key. Atomfall doesn't use objective markers, encouraging players to use their map and set their own markers. Instead of following the coordinates, I decided to explore the central keep, where I found more druids to dispatch but no sign of the book. This reflects Atomfall's challenging, explorative approach to mission design.

Following the coordinates led me to a poison plant monster, which I managed to bypass using my Skyrim bunny-hopping skills to retrieve the keys. Back at the hut, I found a perk point and ammo, but no herbalism book. Delving deeper into the castle's underground, I killed the High Priestess and her followers, finding an SMG, a poison bomb recipe, and an atomic battery, but still no book.

Xbox Games Series Tier List

Xbox Games Series Tier List

After my demo ended, I learned the book was actually in the castle, on a table I had overlooked. Believing the book might be a ruse, I returned to Mother Jago and, in my confusion, killed her. Searching her body, I found a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster, suggesting this was the valuable information she had promised.

Atomfall's developers at Rebellion mentioned that the game's story would take at least four to five hours to complete, with most players spending around 25 hours. The game's varied paths were evident as another player at the demo session had a completely different experience, encountering killer robots and mutants. Atomfall's obfuscated quest design rewards thorough exploration, blurring the lines between side and main objectives, allowing each player to forge their own narrative within the irradiated English countryside.

Despite the potential frustration from its lack of direction, Atomfall encourages players to engage deeply with its world. My story might end differently from others, especially after the unfortunate demise of Mother Jago. With my hands bloodied and a cricket bat in hand, I decided to embrace full-British mode and head back to the pub, waiting for the chaos to subside.