Atomfall is often referred to as being a British version of Fallout, and understandably so. It definitely feels like there's some influence taken from Fallout, but the world and gameplay have a fair number of differences when you look at both games. However, I find myself being reminded of a different game when I try to find a way out of the regions in Atomfall to reach one of its multiple endings.

While the start of Atomfall feels like the beginning of a Fallout game, much of the actual exploration feels more similar to STALKER. A significant factor is how lush the areas are in Atomfall as opposed to the more barren landscapes of Fallout. The best part is that Atomfall is a relatively short game, meaning you can play through it quite quickly, then compare it to similar games yourself to see if you find it more similar to one or the other, or perhaps see it as a unique blend that makes it stick out.

Atomfall Explores An Alternative Version Of History

The Concept Isn't Uncommon

Exploring an alternative version of history isn't uncommon in gaming, and it can be fun to see what could've happened brought to life in a way that you can experience in a virtual world. Set in the 1960s, you're put in the role of an amnesiac who wakes up in an area that's been quarantined as the result of a nuclear disaster called the Windscale incident. From there, your goal sounds simple enough. You want to find a way out.

Of course, that's easier said than done. You'll encounter NPCs around the quarantined areas, but not all of them are willing to help you. Instead, many of them will try to kill you. This element makes Atomfall resemble Fallout and STALKER, as you don't always know who's your friend and who's your enemy at a glance. However, you'll also meet NPCs who can help you escape from this zone, opening up multiple endings that you have the chance to get.

It Resembles Some Fallout Elements

But Includes Multiple Differences

While some parts of Atomfall feel similar to Fallout, I don't think it's fair to the game to just describe it as British Fallout. Atomfall feels like its own game, showing differences from what you expect in Fallout games.

The RPG elements are quite different, and Atomfall leans more toward survival crafting than a straight RPG

The RPG elements are quite different, and Atomfall leans more toward survival crafting than a straight RPG. Instead, the biggest similarities seem to be that both games took place after a nuclear disaster. The government built bunkers without explaining their purpose, but the groups in Fallout made the existence of those bunkers known.

Additionally, the enemy types can be seen as somewhat similar. For human characters, you have some standard NPCs to trade with or get quests from, then you have outlaws who tend to be immediately hostile towards you. Then, you have inhuman enemies, the most threatening of which are the Ferals, somewhat similar to the Ghouls of Fallout. However, unlike the Ghouls, Ferals aren't necessarily the byproduct of exposure to nuclear radiation. Instead, they have more plant-based origins, and you often find them entangled in glowing plants, like vines and mushrooms.

Atomfall Feels More Like STALKER

Learning The Secrets Of A Disaster

As I played Atomfall, I definitely had the feeling that it resembles STALKER more than Fallout, even though you can beat it in far less time than both of those titles. The lush environments and overall air of mystery you feel while exploring add to that resemblance, but it's not as difficult, especially since you can choose which difficulty you want to play on in Atomfall, allowing you to tailor the experience to your needs. However, you understand why you're stuck in the quarantine zone more in STALKER than in Atomfall, since the opening has you entering the zone.

Ultimately, Atomfall is an excellent example of why it's difficult to label one game as a clone of another game, especially when the first game is beloved by a large audience. Doing so led to quite a bit of disappointment, if Atomfall's Steam reviews are to be considered, because players went into it expecting a Fallout clone, and that's not what the experience ended up being. Whether it feels more like Fallout, STALKER, or another game entirely, it's best to let games shine independently of other games, just like with Atomfall.