"Atomfall: Man Goes Insane, Kills All"

Join me on a thrilling journey through the eerie English countryside with Atomfall, the latest survival-action game from the creators of Sniper Elite at Rebellion. During a recent visit to a North London pub, I immersed myself in the game for 90 minutes, intrigued by its open-ended mission design and unsettling atmosphere. My experience took a wild turn when I decided to unleash chaos, even attacking an innocent old lady with a cricket bat. Let me walk you through my adventure.

In Atomfall, every NPC, from the most insignificant to the crucial quest-givers, can be eliminated. As I started the demo, I set out to test this feature. My method was far from refined; within minutes of exploring the digital Cumbria, I triggered a tripwire alarm, forcing me to dispatch three alerted guards with the brutal end of a cricket bat, now baptized in blood.

Later, I acquired a bow and arrow, which I eagerly equipped, satisfying my love for archery in video games. This allowed me to handle both long and short-range encounters, giving my cricket bat a much-needed break. As I roamed, I encountered a towering wicker man, a clear homage to folk horror themes that underpin this part of Atomfall's world, divided into multiple "open zones". This eerie setting added to the mystery I was trying to unravel: what catastrophe had befallen this once peaceful, now irradiated, corner of England?

My contemplation was interrupted by a group of druids, likely connected to the wicker man. They became my archery practice targets, and as they fell, I felt a surge of exhilaration, momentarily feeling like Robin Hood. The bow felt satisfying to use, but what truly captured my attention was Atomfall's innovative stamina system. Instead of a traditional depleting bar, a heart rate monitor reflects your physical exertion. Sprinting, for instance, can push your heart rate over 140 bpm, affecting your aim and accuracy in combat. I later discovered a Bow Mastery skill manual that mitigated the impact of a high heart rate on archery, though the skill tree seemed straightforward, it offered enough flexibility to tailor your character's abilities to your preferred playstyle, whether stealth or direct combat.

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With my only notable achievement being the demise of several druids, I sought direction in the Casterfall Woods. A note led me to Mother Jago, a herbalist near an old mine. Along the way, I noticed hints of a larger narrative, such as a shimmering, oily swirl over a power plant, hinting at Britain's descent into post-apocalypse, and a creepy phone call warning me to stay out of the woods.

The environment was rich with storytelling elements, like an old boathouse with an alarm system and a warning painted across it, surrounded by skulls and bones. Atomfall's atmosphere oscillated between serene and terrifying, reminiscent of Stalker more than Fallout, both in tone and design.

After another druid skirmish, I met Mother Jago at her allotment. Her cryptic responses to my questions about the unfolding mystery echoed the investigative nature of classic point-and-click adventures. She offered valuable information in exchange for her herbalism book, which was held by the druids in their fortified castle. I decided to approach the castle from the side, encountering a druid patrol at an abandoned petrol station. The ensuing battle was chaotic but fun, though the enemy AI lacked sophistication. Inside the castle, I searched for the book but found only crafting materials. Atomfall's mission design is deliberately obtuse, challenging players to explore without hand-holding.

Following a map coordinate to retrieve keys, I faced a poison plant monster, which I bypassed using my Skyrim-honed jumping skills. Back at the castle, I found perks and ammo but not the book. Delving deeper into the castle's underbelly, I eliminated the High Priestess and her followers, uncovering new items and a potential questline, yet still no book.

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After my session, I learned the book was in the castle, on a table I had overlooked. Frustrated and confused, I returned to Mother Jago, only to kill her in my descent into violence, finding a recipe that could have helped against the poison monster. The developers at Rebellion mentioned that completing the story could take 25 hours, with varied experiences for each player. My fellow demo participant had a completely different journey, encountering killer robots and mutants.

Atomfall's quest design might be too obscure for some, but it rewards those who embrace its complexity. The blurred lines between side and main objectives create a sense of peril and encourage players to craft their own narratives within the game's world. Despite my violent path and the death of Mother Jago, I'm eager to see how my story unfolds, likely different from others' experiences.

With bloodied hands from my rampage, I embraced my British roots, taking my cricket bat to the pub, ready to let the chaos of Atomfall settle.