Atomfall, the newest game by Rebellion Developments, has received some mixed early reviews, but they’ve only made me more excited than ever to try the game. Most reviews stress thatAtomfall, despite its similar nuclear incident-based premise and mid-century setting,is not aFalloutclone, but instead a well-crafted mystery wrapped in a cozy British atmosphere. Gameplay, combat, and characters have all been mentioned as highlights of the game, and while some small aspects of the game might need some patching,Atomfallseems more and more promising as a fun survival RPG experience.
Critics have praised the world ofAtomfall, where players explore a quarantined area of Northern England that, instead of taking on the desolate look of a wasteland inFallout, showcases the natural beauty of the English countryside. While some aspects of the game have been highlighted for improvement, like enemy AI being lacking,the overallAtomfallpackage is a unique, compact game thatFalloutfans can enjoywithout feeling like they were playing a lesser copy of another game.
Atomfall Reviews Praise Its World-Building & Gameplay
A Compact, Mystery-Driven RPG
So far, what most of the reviews forAtomfallmention is theorganic world-building, entertaining characters, engrossing gameplay, and the overall British-nessof the entire game. Dropping players straight into the bucolic English countryside five years after the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster of the late 1950s,Atomfalllets players explore a tightly crafted fictional world where part of England has been turned into a nuclear quarantine zone. Without any clear instructions as to where to start, the game lets players discover the area through interesting landmarks, whichIGNpoints out is more reminiscent ofElden Ringthan anyFalloutgames.
Atomfall: Release Date, Preorders, Gameplay, & Story Details
Atomfall is a first-person survival game set inside post-war England, five years after a nuclear disaster placed half the country in a quarantine.
One highlight ofAtomfallthat comes up in most of the early reviews is thesense of freedom players have while adventuring through Northern England. The multiple endings available in the game likely have the biggest impact on this freedom, since players can make their own choices to help or betray characters throughout the game, all while pursuing mysteries all over the map.
Another unique aspect ofAtomfallis the lead system, which replaces traditional quest tracking, and forces players to actually hunt down leads rather than be taken to a quest waypoint (depending on the difficulty setting). These leads might be a rumor overheard in a pub or a note stuck to the top of a folder, and they all allow the player to piece together what’s happening rather than being explictly told.
Atomfall Is More Than A Fallout Clone
Fewer Firearms And More Cups Of Tea
The premise ofAtomfall, a player exploring an area struck by a nuclear disaster with a mid-century aesthetic, sounds undeniably like theFalloutseries. Fortunately, it seems that the game hasavoided being a British-themedFalloutclone, which would have been especially disappointing with the recentrelease ofFallout: London, a massiveFallout 4mod.Unlike other recentFallouttitles,Atomfallkeeps its map size compact and filled to the brim with secrets to discover, as well as fun NPCs to meet and ally with. Staying alive is another major factor inAtomfall,as players must manage their health and heart rate through combat.
The biggest difference between the two titles is the emphasis on firearms, sinceguns are far less common over the pond, and the gameplay ofAtomfallemphasizes this. Using guns constantly in combat, as mentioned inTheGamer’s review, is not the best way to go about fighting. Guns aren’t entirely accurate and just give the player’s position away to more enemies more often than not, so it’s best to lean into a stealthy style to take down enemies. This different style givesAtomfalla more unique gameplay loop and further distances it fromFallout.
I’m More Excited For Atomfall Now That I Know It Isn’t A Fallout Copycat
The British Influence Makes For A Completely Different Nuclear Experience
At first,Atomfallseemed like a slightly more British version ofFallout, but withearly reviews overwhelmingly mentioning how different it is from the Bethesda series, I’m more interested in the game than ever before. The differences in combat and the unique lead system for quests has singled outAtomfallas a new experience that won’t retread the same old irradiatedFalloutpaths, not to mention the dedication to the British lifestyle. Being able to take down enemies with a cricket bat and have a nice cuppa tea afterward to calm down is remarkably British, and there are even more British influences scattered across the map.
A New Fallout RPG Is Coming, But It’s Not What You Expect
A new solo tabletop roleplaying game is coming in 2026, set in the Fallout universe and giving players a chance to explore without a GM.
Trailers and teaser images showed the iconic red telephone booth and large wicker structures crawling with cultists, which obviously draws parallels to the classic British folk horror movieThe Wicker Man. Sci-fi and horror elements like this have been teased all over the game, which makes me very excited to explore and discover everything unique thatAtomfallhas to offer. The genre of nuclear accident, wasteland-themed games is widening with the recent release of theimpressiveSTALKER 2and nowAtomfall, so fans ofFallouthave more to sink their teeth into than ever before.
Sources:IGN,TheGamer
Atomfall
Set in an alternate 1960s Britain,Atomfallimmerses players in a post-nuclear disaster landscape following the Windscale incident. As an amnesiac protagonist, players navigate the quarantined Lake District, confronting mutated creatures, cultists, and rogue agents.
