Atomfall review: A hauntingly British apocalypse that's fun, flawed, and frustrating

Rebellion Studios' Atomfall is a step in the right direction as we (hopefully) near the end of an era where every big-budget RPG feels like a 60-to-80-hour commitment. After Assassin's Creed Valhalla pushed the boundaries of just how much game a game could have -- and not necessarily for the better -- it's refreshing to see an action RPG that actually lets you slow down, take a breath, and just exist in its world for a minute. Rather than drowning you in an endless sea of map markers, side quests, and fetch missions that feel more like a to-do list than an adventure, Atomfall offers something different. It's a game that trusts you to explore at your own pace rather than constantly screaming at you to engage with yet another system or mechanic. Yet while Atomfall never overstays its welcome, there's still a part of me caught between seeing its simplicity as an element that allows it to shine, or as a weakness. Warning: There are minor story spoilers ahead.