Rebellion, the studio best known for the Sniper Elite franchise, is taking a completely different direction with its next game, Atomfall. Unlike the tactical World War II sniper gameplay of its previous titles, Atomfall is a first-person, post-apocalyptic survival sandbox that focuses on storytelling, decision-making, and mystery.
Story and Atmosphere
The story of Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale Fire, a real-life nuclear disaster in England. You wake up after a long sleep in an isolated, quarantine zone, trying to uncover who you are and what has happened.
The world is filled with mysteries, including:
- What is that strange light coming from Windscale?
- Who is calling you and telling you to kill Oberon?
- How can you escape this quarantine zone?
All of these questions are left for you to figure out.
Freedom of Choice
One of the core elements of Atomfall is its open-ended gameplay.
- There are no fixed paths or set missions.
- Players must explore, discover clues, and make their own decisions.
- Multiple choices are available at any moment, and every action influences the story.
For example, you might receive a phone call in the middle of the wilderness—a strange and unsettling event—but these small moments define Atomfall’s unique experience.
No Traditional Missions – Only Clues
Instead of a traditional quest system, Atomfall guides players through hints and clues.
- These clues act more like suggestions rather than strict objectives.
- For example: A clue leading to Mother Jago might open up a new storyline, without forcing players in a particular direction.
- This encourages exploration and non-linear storytelling, which is a key focus for Rebellion.
Key Locations in the Game
Atomfall features a variety of interesting locations, some of which are found through clues, while others appear randomly during exploration.
- The Old Mine and The Dam – Found with help from clues.
- Radio Towers and Helicopter Crash Sites – Discovered randomly while exploring.
While the full scale of the map is still unknown, each location is thoughtfully placed to feel natural and immersive.
Dialogue Choices
If you’re familiar with games like Fallout, you’ll recognize Atomfall’s dialogue system.
- Choices are not just about what you say but how you say it.
- You can choose to express shock, act indifferent, or be cautious.
- The outcome of choices is unknown, making conversations more meaningful and unpredictable.
Combat: Complete Freedom to Kill NPCs
Throughout the game, you’ll encounter bandits, witches, and wild raiders.
- Sometimes, you’ll have no choice but to fight.
- Other times, you can avoid combat by scaring enemies with weapons.
- Rebellion has confirmed that players can kill any NPC or enemy, but every action has consequences.
Types of Enemies
At first glance, enemy variety may not seem extensive, but there’s a wide range of threats, including:
- Bandits – Armed with guns and armor, making fights high-risk.
- Witches – Prefer bows, knives, and Molotov cocktails.
- Mutated Plants – Attack with poisonous projectiles during battles with witches.
- Supernatural Humans – Mutants that ambush players and can infect them.
- Protocol Soldiers & B.A.R.D. Robots – Enforcers of the quarantine zone.
- Mutant Rats – A smaller but dangerous threat.
Combat System
Players have a mix of melee and ranged combat options:
Melee Combat
- Weapons include cricket bats, axes, and knives.
- You can perform normal combos or throw small weapons like knives and hatchets.
Firearms
- Guns include machine guns, shotguns, pistols, and revolvers.
- Ammo is limited, making every shot count.
- You can choose between loud and explosive combat or a stealthier approach.
Pneumatic Supply Boxes
Inventory space is limited, but Atomfall offers a unique solution—Pneumatic Supply Boxes.
- Players can store items like bandages, explosives, and food in these boxes.
- Items can be retrieved from other supply box stations in the world.
- However, these boxes are not always in predictable locations, adding a risk factor.
To avoid losing important supplies, players should mark the locations of supply boxes on their maps.
Skills and Crafting System
As you progress, you’ll unlock new skills, allowing for different combat, survival, and stealth strategies.
- Kill Momentum – Increases melee damage.
- Quiet Movement – Reduces footstep noise.
- Skills also let you disable traps, salvage materials, and improve stealth kills.
The world of Atomfall is not just filled with junk—players can gather materials to craft:
- Bandages – Stop bleeding and heal wounds.
- Antidotes – Cure infections.
- Explosives – Useful for taking out enemies in groups.
Brutal Choices That Impact the World
According to lead designer Ben Fisher, Atomfall is filled with unique events that players can influence in unexpected ways.
“There are a lot of disturbing moments in Atomfall. Some events only happen if players trigger them, while others can be missed entirely. These events have a huge impact on enemy populations in the world.”
He also admitted that even the developers aren’t sure how some of these systems will play out, making every playthrough unpredictable.
How Long Will Atomfall Take to Complete?
With so many choices and paths, how long does it take to finish Atomfall?
- Ben Fisher estimated that a full playthrough might take 15, 20, or even 25 hours.
- Another developer suggested at least 20 hours of exploration.
- Every playthrough offers a unique narrative experience depending on player choices.
Deluxe Edition and Expansion Pack
- The Deluxe Edition includes three days of early access and a story expansion pack.
- However, Rebellion has not revealed details about the expansion, except that it won’t be available at launch.
Release Date and Platforms
Atomfall is set to launch on March 27, 2025 (Farvardin 7, 1404).
- Platforms:
- PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X/S & Xbox One
- PC
- The game will also be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
With its open-ended storytelling, survival mechanics, and immersive post-apocalyptic world, Atomfall is shaping up to be one of the most unique gaming experiences of 2025.
