Surviving in the Lake District
By Paul Hunter
Survival, mystery, and Cold War paranoia collide in Atomfall, the latest narrative-driven RPG from Rebellion. Set in an alternate-history Britain devastated by a nuclear disaster, this immersive first-person experience blends exploration, tense encounters, and deep storytelling. Known for Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Rebellion brings its signature atmospheric world-building to this highly detailed landscape, offering an adventure steeped in British folklore and 1950s intrigue.
The game unfolds in the wake of a mysterious catastrophe that has left the countryside eerily quiet, yet filled with unsettling remnants of life before the fallout. Nature has started reclaiming villages, but danger lurks beneath the surface. Strange figures watch from the shadows, authorities enforce strict measures, and not everything abandoned should be disturbed. Every street, home, and hidden bunker tells a story, rewarding those who take the time to investigate. Whether scouring for supplies, deciphering cryptic notes, or engaging with the survivors left behind, there’s always something drawing you deeper into Atomfall’s unsettling world.
At its core, Atomfall offers an open-ended approach to survival, letting you carve your own path through the ruins. Will you rely on stealth to slip past threats, or face them head-on with whatever weapons you can find? Scavenging is essential, but so is making sense of the unfolding mystery. Rebellion’s focus on environmental storytelling shines here, with small details painting a vivid picture of life before and after disaster struck. The game’s period-accurate technology and propaganda is cool to experience, plunging you headfirst into an era of both innovation and fear.
With its compelling blend of survival mechanics, investigative storytelling, and a richly detailed world, Atomfall invites you to step into the unknown. What really happened in this quarantined region, and how will you navigate its dangers?
Set in 1950s Lake District, Britain, Atomfall drops you into a world reshaped by disaster and secrecy. A nuclear explosion has turned the countryside into a restricted zone, but the official explanation leaves too many unanswered questions. As an outsider drawn into the quarantine, you begin uncovering a hidden narrative buried beneath layers of government control, missing persons, and whispered conspiracies.
At the heart of Atomfall is an intriguing mystery that rewards curiosity. Your story isn’t just told through cutscenes—it’s woven into conversations, documents, radio broadcasts, and the eerie remnants of a world forever changed. Every abandoned home, checkpoint, and underground facility hints at what came before, inviting you to piece together the past at your own pace. The deeper you explore, the more unsettling the truth becomes.
Characters add another element of intrigue. Survivors within the quarantine have their own agendas—some seeking answers, others hiding them. Encounters feel organic, and every interaction offers a chance to learn more about the disaster and the forces at play. Do you trust those you meet, or follow your own instincts? The choice is yours, shaping both your understanding of the story and the challenges you face along the way.
Cold War paranoia and British folklore blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere thick with uncertainty and discovery. The world feels alive with secrets, where even the smallest detail—a hastily scribbled note, a flickering television, a distant sound in the woods—can spark new questions. Every step forward uncovers more of the unknown, building a slow-burning tension that keeps you engaged. With its nuanced storytelling and rich environments, Atomfall delivers a gripping mystery that unfolds naturally through exploration and interaction.
Atomfall delivers a rich blend of survival, exploration, and light RPG mechanics, offering a nice sense of discovery and tension. As you navigate the quarantined countryside, resourcefulness is key. Scavenging for food, supplies, and information is essential, with every abandoned home and derelict facility offering potential rewards—or hidden dangers.
The game’s open-ended approach lets you forge your own path. Dialogue choices shape interactions, and your decisions influence how characters respond. Some might become allies, while others may turn hostile, adding weight to every encounter. Stealth plays a crucial role, with sneaking past threats often being wiser than confrontation. When conflict does arise, combat feels tense and deliberate, emphasizing survival over brute force. Every bullet counts, and makeshift weapons add a desperate, improvisational feel to fights.
Exploration is where Atomfall truly shines. The world is packed with environmental storytelling, encouraging you to investigate every crumbling village and overgrown military checkpoint. One particularly eerie moment came when I stumbled upon an abandoned church. Inside, flickering candlelight revealed a series of notes pinned to the walls—ramblings about "something" lurking beyond the trees. Moments later, a distant sound outside sent me ducking for cover. Were those footsteps? The tension of not knowing made the moment unforgettable.
Beyond survival, there’s a light RPG element that allows you to shape your playstyle. Do you focus on persuasion, convincing wary survivors to share their secrets? Or do you double down on stealth, avoiding conflict altogether? The flexibility keeps every playthrough fresh, with multiple ways to approach challenges.
With its rich exploration, tense encounters, and meaningful choices, Atomfall ensures every decision feels significant. Whether you’re scavenging for supplies, uncovering the region’s secrets, or simply trying to stay alive, there’s always something pulling you deeper into its mysterious world.
Atomfall’s presentation is an graphical masterpiece that perfectly complements its harrowing post-apocalyptic world. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, with every ruined building, overgrown street, and desolate field drawing you further into its haunting vision of a world on the brink of collapse. The level of detail in each location is stunning, from the intricate graffiti scrawled on walls to the weathered textures of abandoned vehicles. It’s a world that feels lived in, and it never fails to evoke a sense of both beauty and despair.
The visuals are striking, with a muted colour palette that gives everything a washed-out, grimy look—ideal for a setting that’s as bleak as it is beautiful. The lighting, especially in darker areas, sets the perfect mood, casting long shadows and creating an oppressive sense of isolation. There were moments when I ventured through the woods at night, the only light coming from my flickering flashlight.
Performance-wise, Atomfall runs smoothly on PS5 Pro, even in its most visually demanding moments. The frame rate remains steady, and load times are minimal, keeping you in the action without interruption. This polish extends to the sound design as well. The ambient noises, such as the distant wind howling through abandoned buildings or the eerie creaks of dilapidated structures, pulls you further into the game world. The voice acting is equally impressive, with well-performed British characters that help bring the world to life.
Music is used sparingly but effectively, enhancing the moment-to-moment gameplay without overwhelming it. You'll hear music piped through 1950's radios, usually subtle, melancholic tunes that mirror the game’s themes of survival and loss, and you can even use the radio sounds to distract enemies or mask your footsteps.
Whether you’re slowly exploring a forgotten town or huddled in a corner, waiting for a storm to pass, Atomfall’s presentation never lets you forget the dark, creepy world it’s built. The attention to detail and technical finesse work together to create a thrilling experience that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally charged.
Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Genre: Action, Survival
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Survival, mystery, and Cold War paranoia collide in Atomfall, the latest narrative-driven RPG from Rebellion. Set in an alternate-history Britain devastated by a nuclear disaster, this immersive first-person experience blends exploration, tense encounters, and deep storytelling. Known for Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Rebellion brings its signature atmospheric world-building to this highly detailed landscape, offering an adventure steeped in British folklore and 1950s intrigue.
The game unfolds in the wake of a mysterious catastrophe that has left the countryside eerily quiet, yet filled with unsettling remnants of life before the fallout. Nature has started reclaiming villages, but danger lurks beneath the surface. Strange figures watch from the shadows, authorities enforce strict measures, and not everything abandoned should be disturbed. Every street, home, and hidden bunker tells a story, rewarding those who take the time to investigate. Whether scouring for supplies, deciphering cryptic notes, or engaging with the survivors left behind, there’s always something drawing you deeper into Atomfall’s unsettling world.
At its core, Atomfall offers an open-ended approach to survival, letting you carve your own path through the ruins. Will you rely on stealth to slip past threats, or face them head-on with whatever weapons you can find? Scavenging is essential, but so is making sense of the unfolding mystery. Rebellion’s focus on environmental storytelling shines here, with small details painting a vivid picture of life before and after disaster struck. The game’s period-accurate technology and propaganda is cool to experience, plunging you headfirst into an era of both innovation and fear.
With its compelling blend of survival mechanics, investigative storytelling, and a richly detailed world, Atomfall invites you to step into the unknown. What really happened in this quarantined region, and how will you navigate its dangers?
Set in 1950s Lake District, Britain, Atomfall drops you into a world reshaped by disaster and secrecy. A nuclear explosion has turned the countryside into a restricted zone, but the official explanation leaves too many unanswered questions. As an outsider drawn into the quarantine, you begin uncovering a hidden narrative buried beneath layers of government control, missing persons, and whispered conspiracies.
At the heart of Atomfall is an intriguing mystery that rewards curiosity. Your story isn’t just told through cutscenes—it’s woven into conversations, documents, radio broadcasts, and the eerie remnants of a world forever changed. Every abandoned home, checkpoint, and underground facility hints at what came before, inviting you to piece together the past at your own pace. The deeper you explore, the more unsettling the truth becomes.
Characters add another element of intrigue. Survivors within the quarantine have their own agendas—some seeking answers, others hiding them. Encounters feel organic, and every interaction offers a chance to learn more about the disaster and the forces at play. Do you trust those you meet, or follow your own instincts? The choice is yours, shaping both your understanding of the story and the challenges you face along the way.
Cold War paranoia and British folklore blend seamlessly, creating an atmosphere thick with uncertainty and discovery. The world feels alive with secrets, where even the smallest detail—a hastily scribbled note, a flickering television, a distant sound in the woods—can spark new questions. Every step forward uncovers more of the unknown, building a slow-burning tension that keeps you engaged. With its nuanced storytelling and rich environments, Atomfall delivers a gripping mystery that unfolds naturally through exploration and interaction.
Atomfall delivers a rich blend of survival, exploration, and light RPG mechanics, offering a nice sense of discovery and tension. As you navigate the quarantined countryside, resourcefulness is key. Scavenging for food, supplies, and information is essential, with every abandoned home and derelict facility offering potential rewards—or hidden dangers.
The game’s open-ended approach lets you forge your own path. Dialogue choices shape interactions, and your decisions influence how characters respond. Some might become allies, while others may turn hostile, adding weight to every encounter. Stealth plays a crucial role, with sneaking past threats often being wiser than confrontation. When conflict does arise, combat feels tense and deliberate, emphasizing survival over brute force. Every bullet counts, and makeshift weapons add a desperate, improvisational feel to fights.
Exploration is where Atomfall truly shines. The world is packed with environmental storytelling, encouraging you to investigate every crumbling village and overgrown military checkpoint. One particularly eerie moment came when I stumbled upon an abandoned church. Inside, flickering candlelight revealed a series of notes pinned to the walls—ramblings about "something" lurking beyond the trees. Moments later, a distant sound outside sent me ducking for cover. Were those footsteps? The tension of not knowing made the moment unforgettable.
Beyond survival, there’s a light RPG element that allows you to shape your playstyle. Do you focus on persuasion, convincing wary survivors to share their secrets? Or do you double down on stealth, avoiding conflict altogether? The flexibility keeps every playthrough fresh, with multiple ways to approach challenges.
With its rich exploration, tense encounters, and meaningful choices, Atomfall ensures every decision feels significant. Whether you’re scavenging for supplies, uncovering the region’s secrets, or simply trying to stay alive, there’s always something pulling you deeper into its mysterious world.
Atomfall’s presentation is an graphical masterpiece that perfectly complements its harrowing post-apocalyptic world. The game’s environments are meticulously crafted, with every ruined building, overgrown street, and desolate field drawing you further into its haunting vision of a world on the brink of collapse. The level of detail in each location is stunning, from the intricate graffiti scrawled on walls to the weathered textures of abandoned vehicles. It’s a world that feels lived in, and it never fails to evoke a sense of both beauty and despair.
The visuals are striking, with a muted colour palette that gives everything a washed-out, grimy look—ideal for a setting that’s as bleak as it is beautiful. The lighting, especially in darker areas, sets the perfect mood, casting long shadows and creating an oppressive sense of isolation. There were moments when I ventured through the woods at night, the only light coming from my flickering flashlight.
Performance-wise, Atomfall runs smoothly on PS5 Pro, even in its most visually demanding moments. The frame rate remains steady, and load times are minimal, keeping you in the action without interruption. This polish extends to the sound design as well. The ambient noises, such as the distant wind howling through abandoned buildings or the eerie creaks of dilapidated structures, pulls you further into the game world. The voice acting is equally impressive, with well-performed British characters that help bring the world to life.
Music is used sparingly but effectively, enhancing the moment-to-moment gameplay without overwhelming it. You'll hear music piped through 1950's radios, usually subtle, melancholic tunes that mirror the game’s themes of survival and loss, and you can even use the radio sounds to distract enemies or mask your footsteps.
Whether you’re slowly exploring a forgotten town or huddled in a corner, waiting for a storm to pass, Atomfall’s presentation never lets you forget the dark, creepy world it’s built. The attention to detail and technical finesse work together to create a thrilling experience that’s as visually stunning as it is emotionally charged.
The Verdict
Atomfall is a captivating survival game that blends a compelling narrative, deep exploration, and rewarding gameplay. The world feels vast yet intimate, with tight combat, clever puzzles, and beautiful visuals that keep you hooked. Its striking environments, powerful sound design, and emotional depth all coalesce into a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression.Final Score: 9/10 - Amazing
Atomfall details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PCDeveloper: Rebellion Developments
Publisher: Rebellion Developments
Genre: Action, Survival
Modes: Single-player
A key was provided by the publisher.