Atomfall is a new survival-action game developed by Rebellion (known for Sniper Elite and Zombie Army), taking players deep into the eerie aftermath of the 1957 Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England. Set in a fictional quarantine zone, this survival-action game blends exploration, combat, and mystery against a backdrop of rural British countryside and haunting government secrets. As a new survival-action game inspired by Fallout and real-life events, Atomfall offers players an open world filled with bizarre characters and a dark mystery to uncover. Here's a deep dive into what makes Atomfall a unique addition to survival-action games.
Atomfall brings to life a twisted version of 1960s Britain, set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster. Five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster, the quarantine zone in the North of England has become a green and unpleasant land filled with secrets. Players step into the shoes of an amnesic protagonist navigating the Lake District, now a nuclear wasteland divided into dangerous quarantine zones. Although the landscape is adorned with beautiful greenery, rolling hills, and quaint villages, dangers lurk behind every turn.
Rebellion’s inspiration is clear: with influences from Fallout, Metro, and BioShock, Atomfall offers a blend of tension and wonder, but with a distinct British twist. Players will uncover secret bunkers, military encampments, and hidden cult strongholds, all while piecing together clues from the inhabitants left stranded in this strange new reality. Expect to be drawn into moral dilemmas and strange alliances, all while traversing the perilous yet picturesque British countryside.
Survival is the heart of Atomfall. Supplies are scarce, and players will need to scavenge for food, crafting materials, and ammunition. As a first-person, singleplayer experience, Atomfall's gameplay emphasizes immersion and player choice. Atomfall introduces resourcefulness as a necessity, not a luxury. Firearms are rare, and each bullet counts. You’ll find yourself crafting makeshift weapons or, for a classic British touch, wielding a cricket bat against foes.
The game also integrates a metal detector, an unusual yet fitting tool for uncovering hidden caches of supplies or clues buried within the quarantine zone. Rebellion has created a world where every scrap you find could be the key to your survival. You'll need to scavenge every corner of the picturesque British countryside to survive.
Combat in Atomfall isn’t a straightforward shooter experience. With a realistic stamina system, combat, sprinting, and evasion raise the protagonist’s heart rate, darkening their vision and muffling sound, adding a layer of physical stress. Combat is brutally efficient—most weapons can incapacitate enemies in one or two hits, but the same applies to you. Atomfall offers players a choice: take a stealthy approach to avoid confrontation or engage enemies in desperate skirmishes. And for those who prefer a pacifist approach, it’s entirely possible to complete the game without taking a life, using wit and stealth to progress instead.
Atomfall’s story unfolds through "leads," replacing the traditional quest system with clues and mysteries to investigate. Each lead you pick up unravels more about the quarantine zone, guiding players toward the answers they seek while uncovering deeper layers of intrigue. Dialogue options shape your relationships with NPCs, and your actions can lead to multiple outcomes, giving players a sense of control in how they approach the game's narrative. Choose your responses carefully—in this zone, who you trust can make all the difference. Dialogue options not only affect your relationships but can also alter the game's ending, making Atomfall a player-driven mystery.
The game’s characters are anything but ordinary, ranging from cultists to rogue government agencies, and each faction has a unique agenda. The quarantine zone has birthed factions and ideologies that defy conventional logic, creating an atmosphere of mistrust and paranoia.
The military faction known as ‘Protocol’ maintains strict control over the quarantine zone, enforcing harsh rules to keep the remaining population in line. Players will encounter Protocol agents who may seem like protectors but have a more sinister agenda lurking beneath the surface. The British Atomic Research Division (B.A.R.D.) adds another layer of mystery, with advanced technology and robotic enforcers patrolling the countryside. These robots, repurposed for crowd control, are heavily armed and relentless, making any encounters with them a high-stakes affair.
The quarantine has led to the rise of isolated cults and deeply mistrustful locals. Each character you meet offers unique interactions that can either open new leads or lead you into danger. The game’s influences from The Wicker Man and The Day of the Triffids are evident here, as these groups view the protagonist with a mix of suspicion, reverence, or hostility. Players will need to choose carefully whom to align with and whom to avoid, as these decisions will alter their journey.
The heart of Atomfall is the mystery surrounding the Windscale fire and its lingering effects on the nuclear quarantine zone. The protagonist's journey begins with a single directive: “Oberon must die.” From there, players uncover the deeper secrets of the disaster, exploring abandoned bunkers and investigating bizarre phenomena that suggest supernatural forces at play. The game’s unique “leads” system allows players to follow different paths, collecting information to piece together a narrative that spans government cover-ups, scientific experiments gone wrong, and the disturbing impact on the local populace.
Each playthrough can reveal different facets of the story, allowing for replayability as players uncover various secrets, whether by taking aggressive or diplomatic approaches. Atomfall’s narrative is woven with moral questions and ambiguous truths, making it a compelling experience for those who enjoy stories that aren’t black and white.
Rebellion has crafted Atomfall as a nod to classic British horror and science fiction. Inspired by post-apocalyptic tales and survival horror, the game integrates British quirks, creating a distinctive atmosphere that feels both familiar and alien. The Quatermass Experiment, Doctor Who, and Children of Men have all influenced the game's eerie and atmospheric storytelling, reflecting Rebellion's commitment to creating a uniquely British experience within the survival-action genre. Behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Rebellion continues to showcase their expertise in crafting immersive worlds.
Atomfall combines investigative gameplay with survival elements in a way that distinguishes it from typical survival games. Rather than simply enduring a post-apocalyptic landscape, players are drawn into a tightly woven detective story, where gathering information is as vital as gathering resources.
Atomfall’s aesthetic is a blend of bleakness and beauty. The Lake District, reimagined as a post-disaster zone, is simultaneously haunting and inviting. Each village, valley, and hidden bunker is meticulously crafted to reflect the eerie quietness of abandonment, with rolling green hills and picturesque views giving way to derelict bunkers and ominous cult shrines. The game’s visuals and soundtrack work in tandem to create an atmosphere that’s both unsettling and deeply immersive.
Despite the disaster, the landscape retains its picture-perfect charm, masking the dangers that lie beneath. Elements of mysticism are woven into the narrative, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural.
Rebellion’s commitment to British authenticity shines through in every detail, from character accents and cultural references to familiar landmarks that have taken on new, sinister meanings in the wake of the disaster. This attention to detail not only enhances the game’s realism but also amplifies the dread and curiosity players feel as they explore each new area.
Atomfall is set to launch in March 2025, and it’s coming to all major platforms, including PlayStation 4 (PS4), PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Although Atomfall was announced in 2024, players have eagerly awaited its release. Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase, Atomfall will be a day one release on Game Pass and will launch simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can look forward to playing it from day one. With its unique blend of British horror, survival mechanics, and mystery-driven storytelling, Atomfall promises to be a must-play for fans of atmospheric, narrative-rich games.
Atomfall is not only coming to PC via Steam and Epic Games Store but also to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. Xbox players can enjoy Atomfall on Xbox Game Pass from day one, diving into the survival-action gameplay that Rebellion is renowned for. Whether you're on Xbox Series or Xbox One, the gameplay experience will immerse you in the lush valleys and rolling countryside of Cumbria, reimagined as a nuclear quarantine zone.
The latest trailer offers a closer look at Atomfall’s setting in the North, revealing the green and unpleasant land that awaits players. From the picturesque English countryside to the haunting remnants of government experiments, Atomfall's world is both beautiful and deadly. This British Fallout invites you to uncover something much more interesting than a typical post-apocalyptic tale.
With its March 2025 release date approaching, now is the perfect time to wishlist Atomfall on Steam, Epic Games Store, or your console's marketplace. Atomfall is a new survival-action game that will be a day one release on Game Pass and will launch simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC.
According to Ben Fisher, associate head of design at Rebellion, Atomfall aims to fictionalise historical events to create an engaging narrative. Following its reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase, Atomfall was also featured at Gamescom, giving players a deeper insight into its world and gameplay.
Atomfall isn’t just another survival-action game; it’s a journey into the heart of a nuclear mystery steeped in British history and horror. Rebellion Looks to have crafted an experience that combines strategic survival mechanics, morally complex choices, and an atmospheric world filled with eccentric characters and twisted secrets. With its richly detailed setting, distinctive factions, and open-ended storytelling, Atomfall invites players to explore a world where every decision matters and every lead brings them closer to the truth.
Whether you’re scavenging for supplies, navigating complex dialogues, or uncovering dark secrets hidden in the English countryside, Atomfall offers an immersive experience unlike any other. Mark your calendars for March 2025—Atomfall’s eerie world awaits. Will you survive the quarantine zone and uncover the truth of Windscale? Stay tuned to SaveGame for News & updates on this game.
