An honest review

[Moe]

Alright, buckle up, folks, because I’m about to drag Atomfall through the irradiated mud of Northern England, and it’s not gonna be pretty. Picture this: you’re an amnesiac wanderer stumbling out of a bunker into a lush, green quarantine zone, ready for some quirky British survival-action shenanigans. Sounds promising, right? Wrong. What I got instead was a game so devoid of flavor it makes unseasoned boiled potatoes look like a Michelin-starred feast. And the biggest crime? Atomfall forgot to invite the rainbow squad to the apocalypse party.

Let’s start with the characters—or should I say, the endless parade of grumpy, straight, white dudes with bad teeth and worse attitudes. I’m traipsing through this quaint little hellscape, dodging fire-spewing robots and whacking cultists with a cricket bat (because apparently that’s peak British combat), and all I meet are NPCs who look like they were cloned from the same pasty bloke who runs the local chippy. Where’s the fabulous drag queen scavenging glitter bombs from the ruins? Where’s the non-binary botanist taming mutant plants with a killer quip? Nowhere, that’s where! It’s like Rebellion said, “Diversity? Nah, mate, let’s just slap some Union Jack vibes on this and call it a day.” Yawn.
And don’t even get me started on the lack of LGBTQ+ messaging. I’m out here solving mysteries, bartering with surly villagers, and trying not to die from a rogue Druid’s pitchfork, and there’s not a single wink of queer subtext to spice things up. No star-crossed lovers hiding from the military in a bunker, no sassy gay bestie telling me to “werk it” while I craft a Molotov. Nothing! This game is straighter than a ruler in a geometry class, and I’m over it. I mean, it’s 2025—where’s my post-apocalyptic power couple smooching under a glowing mushroom? Atomfall clearly didn’t get the memo that the end of the world should at least be fabulous.

The NPC diversity is a joke, too. Every face feels like it was pulled from a “Generic British Villager” mold—think ruddy cheeks, scruffy beards, and accents thicker than week-old porridge. I get it, it’s rural Cumbria, but surely the quarantine zone could’ve attracted someone who doesn’t look like they’ve spent their life herding sheep and complaining about the weather. Give me a punk-rock hijabi sniper or a wheelchair-bound survivalist with a knack for explosives. Instead, it’s just Bob, Jim, and Oi-You-Over-There, all mad because I nicked their last tin of beans. This isn’t a game; it’s a casting call for a Brexit reenactment.

Gameplay-wise, it’s a slog. The “Leads” system—where you’re supposed to play detective with cryptic clues—sounds cool until you realize it’s just a fancy way of saying “wander aimlessly until you trip over something useful.” Combat’s clunky, stealth’s a gamble, and the crafting feels like busywork for people who think sorting socks is a thrill. But honestly, I could forgive all that if Atomfall had a shred of inclusivity to keep me invested. Instead, it’s a monochrome wasteland where the only thing glowing is my disappointment.

Rating: 2/10. Atomfall is a post-apocalyptic bore that forgot the apocalypse is supposed to be for everyone. Next time, Rebellion, hire a DEI consultant—or at least let me snog a robot.

Lecture: Why Implementing DEI is Crucial in Gaming.

Alright, class, settle down—Professor Snark is here to drop some truth bombs about why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) isn’t just a buzzword, but a game-changer for, well, games. Atomfall flunked this test harder than a kid who forgot to study for finals, so let’s break down why DEI isn’t optional—it’s essential.

First off, representation matters. Games aren’t just pixelated escapism; they’re cultural artifacts that shape how we see the world. When your cast looks like it was photocopied from a 1950s British census, you’re not just boring your players—you’re alienating them. The world’s a messy, beautiful tapestry of identities—LGBTQ+ folks, people of color, disabled individuals, you name it. Ignoring that diversity doesn’t make your game “focused”; it makes it irrelevant. Players want to see themselves in the story, not just as a faceless avatar, but as heroes, villains, and everything in between. A queer romance subplot or a badass trans scavenger doesn’t just check a box—it breathes life into a stale narrative.

Second, DEI fuels creativity. If your dev team and character roster are as varied as a bag of plain rice, you’re missing out on fresh perspectives. Diverse voices bring new ideas—think of the wild quests, mechanics, and lore we’d get if Atomfall had a team that mirrored the real world. Instead of another gruff white guy muttering about tea, maybe we’d get a South Asian engineer rigging traps with curry-spiced flair, or a neurodivergent tinkerer obsessed with decoding alien tech. Homogeneity breeds predictability; diversity breeds innovation.

Third, it’s good business. The gaming audience isn’t a monolith—it’s global, it’s varied, and it’s growing. If you’re still pandering to the same narrow demographic in 2025, you’re leaving money on the table. Players from marginalized groups aren’t niche; they’re a massive, engaged market. Plus, inclusivity sparks buzz—word of mouth from thrilled fans beats any ad campaign. Atomfall could’ve been the talk of the town with a vibrant, inclusive cast. Instead, it’s a whisper in a sea of meh.

Finally, it’s about responsibility. Games have power—they can challenge stereotypes or reinforce them. In a world already wrestling with division, a lack of DEI in Atomfall feels like a missed chance to build bridges. Why settle for a beige apocalypse when you could have a kaleidoscope of survivors proving humanity’s resilience? Implementing DEI isn’t “woke” pandering—it’s a commitment to reflecting reality, sparking joy, and making games that actually matter.
So, devs, take note: DEI isn’t a chore, it’s your cheat code to a better game. Class dismissed—now go make something worth playing.

[CosaNostra]

What kinda communist marxist bs post is this

[Biggles]

A page full of words just to say 'where's the queers mommy'

[Donaldo Trumpado]

You're the reason why the Department of Education needs to be dismantled. Look what they did to you.

[Caz]

I hate to be the one to tell you but rural Britain in the late 50's, early 60's wasn't that diverse. Even if there were members of the LGBTQ+ community in these villages, they weren't open about it. It was also rare to find anyone of colour living in the countryside.

[ZIGS]

This is the most effort I've seen being put into an award-baiting topic, congratulations!

[T:Jenks]

When i leave the house i see grumpy white people everywhere, whats your point?

[Sardines]

I CRAPPED MY PANTS!

[archonsod]

Originally posted by Caz:

Even if there were members of the LGBTQ+ community in these villages, they weren't open about it.

They would be - it wasn't decriminalised until 1967.

[s38cox]

It’s always great to see passionate discussions about representation in games, but let’s give Atomfall the credit it deserves for what it is, rather than criticize it for what it isn’t trying to be. Rebellion has crafted an atmospheric survival-action experience steeped in British culture and history, and they’ve done so with a clear vision.

Authenticity Matters – Atomfall is set in rural Northern England, a region that has a distinct identity, culture, and history. While diversity is important in games, it’s also crucial to respect the authenticity of a setting. A post-apocalyptic Cumbria isn’t going to look like a futuristic cyberpunk city or a multicultural metropolis—it’s going to reflect the people and communities that exist there. That’s not a lack of imagination; it’s world-building with depth.

Narrative and Atmosphere Take Priority – Atomfall isn’t about flashy inclusivity for its own sake—it’s about telling a haunting, immersive story. The game is heavily inspired by classic British sci-fi and folk horror, where the eeriness comes from isolation, paranoia, and the unknown. Injecting over-the-top characters or forcing modern social themes into the narrative might dilute the game’s intended experience.

Diversity Comes in Many Forms – Representation isn’t just about ticking demographic boxes. It’s also about different personalities, perspectives, and struggles. The game presents a range of NPCs with distinct backgrounds, quirks, and motivations, reflecting a region with deep-rooted social and economic history. Not every game needs to overtly push social messaging to be inclusive—it can also come from well-written, complex characters dealing with the challenges of their world.

Gameplay First – Ultimately, a game should be judged on how fun and engaging it is. If combat, exploration, and survival mechanics are solid, then the game has succeeded in delivering on its core promises. While feedback on gameplay mechanics is always valuable, dismissing the entire experience based on personal expectations of representation misses the broader picture.

Creative Freedom Matters – Developers should be allowed to create the stories they want without being pressured into making design choices that don’t fit their vision. Games should be diverse as a whole, not every single title needs to carry the burden of representing every identity. If a player is looking for a different type of experience, there are countless other games that cater to varied themes and perspectives.

At the end of the day, Atomfall is Rebellion’s vision of a uniquely British apocalypse, and it deserves to be judged on its own merits. Constructive criticism is always welcome, but let’s appreciate the effort and artistry that went into making a game that stands out from the crowd.

[Anticitizen 1]

To maintain my faith in humanity I chose to believe that this isn't a genuine take based on personal belief but an elaborate jester farm.

[Mathmatics]

I don't know what upsets me more. That people like the op exist or that people think this is a serious post.

[Doctor TacoChocolate]

Originally posted by Anticitizen 1:

To maintain my faith in humanity I chose to believe that this isn't a genuine take based on personal belief but an elaborate jester farm.

It's very obviously a jester farm. It couldn't be more obvious. The fact that anyone is even capable of falling for this speaks volumes on how powerful confirmation bias is.

[Kamm]

I just wish these always lying, thruth despising right-wing culture war clowns (the op clearly is part of) would shut up, even more so than the few misguided leftys who confuse their delusions with progressiveness. Please stop this ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, it's not bearable for anyone who'd like to believe in a little rest of dignity for mankind.

The admission of guilt began with "honest", a word you should be ashamed of to put it in your mouth.

[Shylar]

Well i rather shave-headed Cultists than blue-haired aliens in my games.

Don’t know if your serious, with all this words to finally, keep speaking of yourself and your degenerate friends. Or if you’re just a jester farmer. But I don’t care. I will enjoy this clean and sane game. Thank your Rebellion

[impr0vise]

honest from bottom of your bottocks