Based on a real world event — albeit a highly fantasised version — Atomfall is an immersive post-apocalyptic RPG set in the English countryside.
With the help of a $1-for-14-days offer from Game Pass, I am grateful to be traversing the countryside at this amazing discounted price. xD In fact, if I finish the game before the 14 days is up, I may jump into Avowed, too.
That's neither here or now though. Here and now is Atomfall.
Atomfall is a title I've been looking forward to ever since I saw a reveal trailer many moons ago, and now that I'm playing it, I can honestly say that I wouldn't mind spending the $80 odd dollars for my own copy of the game! I'm thoroughly enjoying it.
While there is no character creator, it does have plenty of other things that I like in my games - beautiful environments, a top-notch stealth system, exploration, multiple ways to accomplish quests, photomode, minimal handholding allowing you to play your own way, and no quest markers. And can't forget the British accent. I've always been partial to it.
All screenshots in this post are courtesy of the photo mode! XD
Overall, the player reviews of this game are fairly favourable, and they are something that I read quite a few of before deciding to throw a dollar coin at Game Pass.
From what I can see, most people's negative reviews are quite... dumb.
"There's a crosshair on my screen."
"Too British."
"Stealth is awful."
"Enemies are too difficult."
Ohnoes. How dare there be a crosshair on your screen.
Ohnoes. How dare something be set somewhere other than Murica.
Ohnoes. How dare enemies spot you when you're walking right in front of them.
Ohnoes. How dare your character not be a superhuman.
Yes, that was sarcasm.
The centre crosshair on the screen is barely noticeable, and when zooming in with a rifle or whatever it disappears and allows you use of the weapon's actual crosshair.
In regards to stealth, it's not a Bethesda game. If you sneak up right in front of something, obviously they're going to see you. You need to use the long foliage to your advantage, you need to slow your speed, you need to be quiet. It's immersive and fantastic!
I find the combat quite realistic, too. You get shot in the face? Yeah, you're gonna die. There's a dude wailing on you with an axe? Yeah, you're not going to suffer much longer. A group of people have surrounded you? Yeah, they're going to beat the shit out of you.
So far I'm finding it quite effective to roam around with a sniper rifle, a knife, and a bunch of molotovs. Materials are fairly easy to come by, ammunition less so. You will have to manage your ranged fighting carefully, smatter in some melee swings, kick enemies away from you, etc. Got to watch your heartrate, or you'll be a breathless incapable mess!
It's also fun to have a group of patrolling enemies pass you by, then you throw a molotov or grenade at them and they all explode.
It's not over-the-top. It's simply a realistic style of gameplay.
The story seems interesting enough so far, although I'm not very far along quite yet.
I've awoken in a bunker, in a quarantined zone. I have no memories, no recollection of what I was doing there. As you traverse the region, you discover tidbits of lore and information via tattered notes and clippings and speaking with friendly NPCs.
Also. While they are 'friendly,' you can totally attack them if you so choose!
There is a strange voice in a telephone box that keeps calling you as you walk past, telling you all sorts of things. It's difficult to know who or what to trust. The villagers are weird and hiding things, the soldiers who have them locked down are weird and hiding things, and who in their right mind would trust an evil magical phone voice of an entity that seems to know where you are at all times?
I went into the village, with an intent on helping the villagers over all else... but in the end sided with the soldiers for my own selfish gain.
Now the priest of the village is all pissy at me, and I can't interrogate him over buying an atomic battery from a roaming trader. So, I'm wondering if I can sneakily kill him and take it from his corpse. Or perhaps he has a house somewhere I can break into.
So far there seems to be many ways of concluding quests, which I really like. However, there is no pickpocketing. I would love to pickpocket a key from him and leave him alive, you know?
Either way, I'm really enjoying this game so far!
And, of course, I'm enjoying the photomode. XD
It's such a nice looking game, I'm very grateful that they've included an in-game camera. I hate it when people are just, "Hurrrrrrrr, hide the UI and take a screenshot." Dude. It's just not the same.
Also, things seem to progress in the game. Like, there was a murder in the church... I walked in, found people looking at the body, and when I went in a bit later, the body was gone. When I walked in later again, there were soldiers in there poking around at the bloodstains and talking about the murder.
The guy in the screenshot above is the first NPC you see in the game, and he's dying. I wonder if I go back to that bunker if he'll still be there moaning and groaning, or if his corpse will be there and I can loot it. Hmmmmm.
I must go back! I must investigate!
Top notch game. Highly recommend. So far.
Until next time!! ☢️⚔️