Throughout the genre, Bethesda’s action RPGs generally serve as benchmarks for upcoming games to strive to meet the standards set by the latest games inThe Elder ScrollsandFalloutfranchises. Especially given the similarities thatAtomfallshares with theFalloutfranchise games as an action RPG in a post-nuclear setting, the comparisons between Bethesda’s modernFalloutgames and the upcomingAtomfallfrom Rebellion Developments are as natural as they are inevitable.
However, whileAtomfall’s likeness to theFalloutfranchiseis a welcome comparison, one key difference would arguably be for the best. Combat typically isn’t considered one of the modernFalloutgames’ strengths, so,Atomfall’s combat should tread its own path in this regard, instead of following in the footsteps of theFalloutfranchise.
Atomfall Should Set Itself Apart from the Fallout Franchise’s First-Person Combat
Combat in the Modern Fallout Games Has Room for Improvement
While Bethesda’s action RPGs are generally praised as industry benchmarks in terms of their immersive world-building and the variety in player agency, the modernFalloutgames, in particular, aren’t exactly known for their combat. After Bethesda took ownership of theFalloutfranchise and transitioned away from theturn-based combat of the originalFalloutgamesdeveloped by Interplay, this transition has presented a challenge that the Franchise arguably hasn’t yet overcome in achieving engaging combat.
Expectations for Atomfall’s Combat Are Naturally High
DespiteAtomfall’s comparisons to theFalloutgames, Rebellion Developments has already made it clear that combat and other survival mechanics will play a much more central role throughout the game thanAtomfall’s RPG elements. Because of this, it’s crucial forAtomfallto have satisfying and engaging combat when it comes to guns, melee, and stealth mechanics.
Another reason why expectations forAtomfall’s combat mechanics are high is that it comes from the studio behind the long-runningSniper Elitefranchise, which recently released the newest entry in the franchise,Sniper Elite: Resistance. This franchise is particularly known for its unique and stylized combat mechanics, soAtomfallinheriting some of this DNA would be a sweet treat.
However, in the latest gameplay trailers forAtomfallahead of its upcoming release,Atomfallappears to be falling inFallout’s footsteps, with both FPS and melee combat that seemingly has some room for improvement. Hopefully, though, there will be more toAtomfall’s combat than what has been shown in the latest gameplay reveal trailer. Otherwise, there is still potential to improve combat in post-launch updates, meaning current impressions ofAtomfall’s combat aren’t necessarily cause for concern.
Atomfallis set to release on Jun 22, 2025, for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms.Atomfallwill also be available viaXbox Game Pass on day one.
How Atomfall Could Take Its Combat to New Heights
Especially inAtomfall’s post-nuclear setting where ammunition for guns is said to be a scarce resource, this puts a lot of pressure on both stealth and melee to be engaging since players will naturally need to rely on these methods of combat more often than not. When it comes to stealth, one of the biggest advantages can be to have a wide variety of ways for players to approach an encounter via unique weapons/gadgets. This is alreadyone area where theSniper Elitefranchise excels, so hopefullyAtomfallwill take notes from this franchise’s design.
Typically, where melee combat in most action RPGs falls short is a lack of variety in attacks, beyond a basic block, light, and heavy attack. Naturally, a parry mechanic could be a welcome addition toAtomfall, though combos and other unique attacks can make melee both look and feel more engaging.
Atomfall
WHERE TO PLAY
A survival-action game inspired by real-life events, Atomfall is set five years after the Windscale nuclear disaster in Northern England.Explore the fictional quarantine zone, scavenge, craft, barter, fight and talk your way through a British countryside setting filled with bizarre characters, mysticism, cults, and rogue government agencies.From Rebellion, the studio behind Sniper Elite and Zombie Army, Atomfall will challenge you to solve the dark mystery of what really happened.Player Driven Mystery: Unravel a tapestry of interwoven narratives through exploration, conversation, investigation, and combat, where every choice you make has consequences.Explore this Green and Unpleasant Land: The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you.Search, Scavage, Survive: You’ll need to scavenge for supplies, craft weapons and items, and fight desperately to make it out alive!Desperate Combat: With weapons and ammunition scarce, each frenetic engagement will see you blend marksmanship with vicious hand-to-hand combat. Manage your heart rate to hold a steady aim and ensure you have the energy you need to reach for your cricket bat and land the killer blow.Green and Unpleasant Land:The picturesque British countryside, with rolling green hills, lush valleys, and rural villages belie the dangers that await you. Navigate cult-controlled ruins, natural caves, nuclear bunkers and more as you explore this dense, foreboding world.Reimagining Windscale:A fictional reimagining of a real-world event, Atomfall draws from science fiction, folk horror, and Cold War influences to create a world that is eerily familiar yet completely alien.
