Atomfall has the potential to be a cult classic, though its technology distractingly remains last-gen

Atomfall, a promising game, is hindered by outdated technology.

: Atomfall by Rebellion is tested on various platforms, showcasing distinct strengths and weaknesses. Its alternative history setting in Cumbria offers an engaging experience with survival, stealth, and branching dialogues. Technical limitations, like lack of modern anti-aliasing and low-res textures, are notable on several platforms. The PC version handles some issues but reveals Atomfall's cross-gen nature remains a crucial barrier.

Rebellion's Atomfall, tested on PS5, PS5 Pro, Series X/S, and PC, presents a unique yet flawed gaming experience. Celebrated for its alternative history Cumbrian setting, Atomfall integrates gameplay elements of survival, stealth, and branching dialogues, drawing comparisons to Bethesda's Fallout series. However, its support for both current and last-gen consoles impacts the technical delivery, with low-resolution textures and poor anti-aliasing being significant drawbacks. The game's internal resolution is competitive on PS5 and Series X, with a 1440p to 1800p range, whereas Series S is constrained to 1080p and 30fps. PC offers superior graphical fidelity with the highest settings but cannot fully resolve image artifacts due to Atomfall's lack of modern anti-aliasing techniques.

Thomas Morgan, Senior Staff Writer at Digital Foundry, explained that Atomfall's reliance on screen space reflections (SSR) detracts from the visual experience. Large water bodies flicker with player movement, failing to provide the clarity expected from current-gen capabilities. The lack of temporal anti-aliasing (TAA), often utilized in modern games, leads to issues like pixel crawl and shimmer, noticeable even on the PS5 Pro.

Performance-wise, Atomfall hits its target 60fps on PS5 and Series X, though occasional dips suggest areas for optimization. A unique crash occurrence during gameplay further emphasizes its developmental drawbacks, particularly apparent on Series S with v-synced 30fps causing higher latency.

PC capabilities include extensive graphical settings like ambient occlusion, screen-space shadows, and ray-traced soft shadows. These features enhance visual depth, yet Atomfall's silhouette-heavy characters and limited anti-aliasing hurt the overall aesthetic.

In conclusion, Atomfall's ambition as an open-world adventure clashes with its technological constraints. The game seems stuck between current and last-gen technology, limiting its potential and polish. Players experience varied performance based on their platform, with PC offering the most flexible though imperfect solution. Atomfall's larger-than-life concept shines despite these hurdles, but its technical shortcomings will need addressing for broader lasting success.

Sources: Thomas Morgan (Digital Foundry)

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