Review of Atomfall for PlayStation 5 | PS4Blog.net

Rebellion’s latest offering, Atomfall, immerses players in a gripping survival-action game grounded in real-life events. It’s set a good five years after the infamous Windscale nuclear catastrophe in Northern England. Intrigued? Let’s dive deeper into what Atomfall holds!

In Atomfall, Rebellion transports you to a world reeling from the catastrophic aftermath of October 10, 1957. The Windscale incident stands as the direst nuclear mishap in UK history and remains one of the gravest globally. The nuclear blaze lasted for three relentless days, spewing hazardous radioactive material across the UK and even Europe. The game amplifies these consequences, weaving a scenario in which the fallout’s repercussions are exponentially more severe.

In the game, the affected area has been completely isolated, devoid of any communication with the external world. As a player, you awaken in an abandoned bunker with no memory of your past or how you arrived there. This is just the beginning of your journey through the unknown quarantine zone that hides more than it reveals. Isolated for half a decade, the inhabitants here have adopted rather, let’s say, unconventional ways of living. Various factions, namely Protocol, B.A.R.D. (British Atomic Research Division), the Outlaws, and the Druids, have arisen, and danger is never far away.

Survival hinges on scavenging and crafting. Resources are scarce, and rivalry for them is fierce. Craft weapons to hold your ground against these factions, alongside some rather unpleasant mutated creatures. Short-range weapons often become your go-to, given the world’s ammunition scarcity. Sure, you might stumble upon a pistol early on, but the joy is short-lived when there’s scarcely any ammo to load it. You might even find a single-shot rifle boasting more firepower; just remember, after that single shot, you could be all but defenseless against a mob of Outlaws.

Atomfall offers five difficulty levels: Sightseer, Investigator, Brawler, Survivor, and Veteran. On Sightseer, the narrative takes center stage, with minimal combat fuss. Investigator ups the ante, offering a stiffer challenge without overwhelming newcomers. Brawler demands precision—mistakes aren’t tolerated kindly. Survivor, according to the developers, dishes out the quintessential Atomfall experience, juggling combat, exploration, and survival. And for those who thrive on insane challenges, Veteran difficulty ensures every misstep could be your last.

Navigate this first-person ride with the left analog stick for movement and the right for looking around. Running gets a boost by pressing the left stick, and crouching with Circle is vital for stealthy moves. Jumping, kicking foes to catch them off guard—all part of your toolkit. Assign quick-access items using the D-Pad, excluding consumables, to make survival less daunting.

Combat relies on the R2 button—be it for sword slashes or firing arrows and guns. Aiming with L2 is crucial for precise hits, and each shot’s accuracy can be swayed by your character’s heart rate, affecting recoil and spread. Take advantage of throwable weapons by accessing them through your weapon wheel, like a Molotov that can scorch groups of adversaries. And for some ammo-saving stealth, a sneaky takedown might be your best option.

Rather than embarking on standard quests, you’ll uncover Leads. Unearth these through conversations, or maybe from certain items or documents. They’ll guide you—but beware—they could also turn out to be distractions set by those with ulterior motives. No handy map waypoints here; it’s up to you to drop compass markers to chart your course.

Trading becomes vital as well. To enhance your arsenal or gain vital supplies, barter the items you’ve scavenged. Traders display varying inventories, and what one seeks in a trade might differ from another, so it pays to shop around. This is especially crucial since crafting any desired item starts with procuring the necessary recipe. These can be bought from traders or stumbled upon during your explorations. Besides crafting, you’ll repair weapons which are categorized as rusty, stock, or pristine. Gather two similar weapons and some gun oil to elevate a weapon’s quality tier, thus boosting its stats.

Skills in Atomfall, unlocked through Training Stimulants, provide a tactical edge. Collect these as you progress or supplement them with Training Manuals sourced from traders or discovered during your journey. Skills range from Thick Skin to reduce melee damage, to honing your Charisma, which enhances barter value.

To widen access, Atomfall offers several personalization options: tweak UI text size, adjust color schemes for various on-screen items, toggle traversal indicators, and more. Automatic movement options, aiming cues, and auto-firing are additional aids enhancing accessibility for all players.

Those collecting achievements will relish Atomfall’s full trophy list, featuring a shiny Platinum trophy and numerous challenges ranging from defeating enemies with specific methods to tracking down certain in-game items. And for those eyeing the Atomfall Deluxe Edition, early access and a bundle of other goodies await your exploration.

Atomfall sets players against a backdrop of a nuclear nightmare five years after England’s Windscale disaster. Isolation, survival, and mystery collide in a gaming experience that intrigues and challenges in equal measure. Are you ready to tackle the unknown and carve out your path in this altered reality? Save the date—Atomfall launches on March 27, offering PS4 and PS5 versions at no extra cost. Don’t miss out on either the standard or the deluxe experience!

Do you think you have what it takes to endure in this formidable new world?

Disclaimer: This Atomfall review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy, thanks to Rebellion.