Atomfall review

• Available on PlayStation, Xbox and PC
• Released on 27 March 2025
• Developed by Rebellion

Let’s be honest: video games love an amnesiac protagonist. And in Atomfall, that well-worn trope actually works in the game’s favour. Waking up in an underground bunker with no memory of who you are or how you got there? Classic. But it perfectly sets the tone for this eerie, post-nuclear mystery.

Based on the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster, Atomfall drops you into a fictional version of Cumbria. You’re stuck in a quarantine zone and, unsurprisingly, you’re not the only one. Factions have formed, danger lurks around every corner, and most folks are just trying to survive. Whether they want to do that peacefully or by smashing your face in is a different matter.

Unlike a traditional open world, Atomfall breaks up its map into smaller, interconnected areas. Think Metroidvania-style zones where not everything is essential, but most of it is interesting. It’s a great choice, because it makes exploring feel focused but still rewarding. And rather than spoon-feed you objectives, Atomfall gives you “leads.” These are basically breadcrumbs you can choose to follow (or not), slowly piecing together what’s happened and where you might go next.

That freedom is the heart of Atomfall. You can solve its mysteries in multiple ways, find a variety of endings, and even play the entire game as a total maniac if you really want to. Want to kill every NPC you meet? Go for it. You’ll just have to work a bit harder to find the tools you need to progress.

There are multiple ways to customise your experience too. You can adjust combat difficulty or turn on quest markers if you prefer more direction. It’s a thoughtful touch that makes Atomfall more accessible without compromising its identity.

Combat itself is a mix of melee and ranged weapons. A good old cricket bat might save your life more times than you’d expect, but when push comes to shove, you’ll be grateful for your shotgun. There’s no dodge or block here – just a trusty kick to create space and interrupt attacks. It’s scrappy, but satisfying.

And there’s crafting, too. Explosives, Molotovs, better weapons: it all depends on what recipes and resources you can scavenge. Plus, there’s a skill system tied to instructional books, so the more you explore, the better you get.

You could barrel through Atomfall in under 10 hours if you really tried, but you’d be missing a lot. Take your time, poke around every corner, and you might end up playing for dozens of hours. There are so many hidden stories, characters and surprises waiting for the curious.

It’s not perfect – some combat encounters can be punishing, and occasionally a lead is a bit too vague – but those are small bumps in an otherwise compelling journey.

Atomfall is one of 2025’s most pleasant surprises. It’s a moody, mysterious survival-action game that trusts you to find your own way. And when you do? It’s incredibly rewarding. If you like unraveling a good mystery, don’t miss it.