Atomfall on Xbox delivers a haunting, atmospheric adventure set in a uniquely British post-apocalyptic landscape, and it’s one of the more intriguing survival experiences in recent memory. Developed by Rebellion, best known for the Sniper Elite series, Atomfall marks a distinct departure—replacing military precision with eerie isolation, rural decay, and Cold War paranoia.
Set in 1950s Britain after a fictional nuclear disaster inspired by real events like the Windscale fire, Atomfall trades bombed-out cities for crumbling farmhouses, foggy countryside, and mysterious scientific outposts. The setting is its biggest strength and Rebellion really nailed the eerie tone—picture an abandoned village where Cold War posters peel from the walls, and something unnatural seems to stalk the hedgerows. It’s a vibe that feels like “Fallout” meets “Children of Men” by way of “The Walking Dead” with a hint of “Murder She Wrote”...
Gameplay-wise, Atomfall is a first-person, narrative-driven survival game. You explore, scavenge, craft, investigate and piece together what happened to the world around you. Combat isn’t the core focus, but there are tense moments with mutated creatures, rogue soldiers and other threats, boobytraps not being the least of them. The real danger, however, is often environmental—radiation zones, a lack of supplies and the psychological toll of isolation–the locals are not a welcoming bunch, are fiercely territorial and better armed than you–at least initially.
What makes Atomfall stand out is how deeply it leans into British culture. From the drab food rationing to the suspicious villagers and stiff-upper-lip government officials, it feels authentic, even when things get surreal. There’s an undercurrent of folk horror that adds a fresh flavour, and the storytelling balances subtle environmental cues with more direct narrative beats. Some people are approachable, others will attack on sight like rabid dogs–a good part of the gameplay is figuring out how best to manage these interactions.
Atomfall is a great-looking game, but isn't without its flaws. Some systems, like crafting and inventory management, can feel clunky or underdeveloped. The voice acting ranges from solid to wooden, and occasional bugs mar the experience—especially on Xbox Series S, where framerate dips and texture pop-in can break immersion created by some truly excellent graphics.
Despite these issues, Atomfall succeeds thanks to its atmosphere, originality, and commitment to its theme. It’s a slow burn and although you can complete the the story in 7 hours or less, I'm 50+ hours in I feel like I've walked to the moon and back, but it's a game that rewards players willing to soak in its quiet atmosphere of dread, search every nook & cranny and investigate everything. If you’re looking for something different from the usual open-world formula—something moodier, more thoughtful, and steeped in an offbeat tone, Atomfall is well worth the trip into the English fog, and will keep fans of the genre happy until the next Fallout, or Outer Worlds 2. Atomfall might not be perfect, but it’s a refreshingly different survival experience with a rich, unsettling world that sticks with you long after you put the controller down.
