Atomfall transforms the usual conventions of RPGs and then shatters them.

The most notable RPGs often fall into mechanical and stylistic conventions of their genre. Avowed, for example, stands out for its fascinating world and well-written, timely narrative. However, it relies on the world created by Pillars of Eternity, and its gameplay is not more ambitious than that of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, released over 14 years ago. For those who enjoy games that are immersed in their genre but also dare to explore new ideas, Atomfall presents itself as a remarkable option.

Atomfall is a new first-person survival RPG developed by Rebellion Developments, known for the Sniper Elite series. After playing an early version at an event in London, the game left a lasting impression. Its narrative, set against the backdrop of the Windscale disaster, gives it a distinctive touch that separates it from other nuclear RPGs like Fallout or S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Mechanically, it abandons the traditional mission structure of RPGs, allowing for a more fluid and natural experience, which adds to the survival experience felt in its gameplay.

Rebellion's design director, Ben Fisher, shared that the idea for Atomfall came from the company’s co-founder, Jason Kingsley, who noted that many games are set in quarantine zones following nuclear disasters, but none around the first great nuclear disaster: the Windscale fire. From this observation, Rebellion saw the opportunity to offer a unique proposal in the niche of nuclear survival RPGs.

In Atomfall, the player assumes the role of a voiceless, faceless protagonist who wakes up with amnesia in a quarantine zone in the UK after the Windscale disaster. The game imagines a world where the fires were catastrophic and possibly influenced by the supernatural, creating an exclusion zone akin to Chernobyl in the UK. Fisher believes this context gives the game an authentically British touch, in part because some developers grew up near the site of the disaster. The influence of classic stories like Doctor Who, The Quatermass Experiment, and The Wicker Man has also been present in its development.

Originally, Atomfall was not intended to be an RPG; during development, its structure was very traditional, similar to a Metroidvania where players unlocked exploration maps. However, after reflecting on the structure, they decided to give players total freedom without imposing a specific path. In the early stages of the game, I was directed to investigate a herbalist named Mother Jago, but after finding a crashed helicopter and an audio log from a scientist, I decided to change focus and follow new clues at my own pace.

Atomfall redefines how missions are completed, as instead of having set mission objectives, it allows the player to gather clues as they progress, acting like a detective piecing together the game's narrative. This, along with the design that prevents the map from being cluttered with objectives, enhances the feeling of exploration and discovery, making each gameplay experience unique based on individual player choices.

While exploring, I found that encounters were scarce and the lack of ammunition forced a closer combat style, using items like a cricket bat. The need to manage the character's heart rate to ensure accuracy in attacks adds a layer of tension, following a thread of design from Sniper Elite. Transactions with vendors do not involve game currency but rely on a barter system, increasing the sense of survival against adversity.

In the midst of my explorations, I aligned with a military faction, betrayed a baker to access the prison where Dr. Harrow was held, which allowed me to obtain crucial information to escape the quarantine zone. Although my session came to an end, I am excited to discover how my experience in the game will vary in future playthroughs.

Atomfall will launch for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 27 and will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one. This innovative proposal in the RPG world presents itself as an exciting option for those seeking new experiences in the genre.