The Atomfall Developers Knew It Would Be Compared to Fallout as Soon as It Was Revealed, Average Playthrough Around 25 Hours

At first glance, Atomfall might seem like a Fallout game—a post-apocalyptic adventure set in a post-nuclear England, not unlike its American counterpart. The first-person perspective, post-nuclear setting, and alt-history backdrop all contribute to the comparison. Rebellion's art director, Ryan Greene, acknowledges this, stating the team anticipated the Fallout comparisons from the game's reveal. He notes that the company's owner, Jason Kingsley, is a Fallout fan, making parallels inevitable given the shared survival-in-the-apocalypse theme.

However, Greene emphasizes that Atomfall is distinct from Fallout. IGN previously highlighted Atomfall's unique qualities, moving beyond the "British Fallout" label. Greene cautions against the misleading comparison, stating that gameplay reveals Atomfall's originality. He stresses Rebellion's independent status, contrasting it with Bethesda's ownership by Microsoft, and clarifies that Atomfall, while ambitious for Rebellion, doesn't aim for the scale of Elder Scrolls or Fallout.

Greene estimates an average playthrough at around 25 hours, though completionists could significantly extend that time. IGN's recent hands-on preview showcased the game's flexibility; Simon Cardy completed a playthrough by killing every character encountered. Greene confirms this is possible, stating multiple endings exist, and eliminating characters doesn't necessarily block progression. The game adapts to different playstyles.

Atomfall screenshots

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Unlike traditional RPGs, Atomfall doesn't feature a linear main quest or side quests. Instead, Greene describes the narrative as a "spider web of connected stories." Severing one narrative thread doesn't necessarily halt progress; alternative paths lead to the overarching mystery. Furthermore, a pacifist playthrough is entirely feasible. Greene personally played for approximately nine hours without killing anyone, confidently asserting that a non-lethal completion is possible.