Atlas Fallen is a really formidable title from developer Deck13. Whereas total it shares some similarities to their earlier title, together with Lords of the Fallen and The Surge 2, it’s additionally their first step away from the Soulslike style. At its core Atlas Fallen is a third-person motion RPG that focuses on velocity and fast-paced encounters. Whilst you typically encounter teams of smaller enemies, the majority of your enemies is massive hulking beasts, which rapidly turns into a staple of the gameplay.
Atlas Fallen (PC, PS5[reviewed], Xbox Collection X|S)Developer: Deck13Publisher: Focus EntertainmentRelease: August 10, 2023MSRP: PC: $49.99, PS5 & Xbox Collection X|S: $59.99
In Atlas Fallen, the world lies in spoil because of the savage solar god Thelos. A lot of the as soon as lush panorama is now completely sand dunes with the occasional useless tree or patch of dried-out grass. The inhabitants are pressured to serve Thelos by extracting a strong useful resource referred to as Essence from the world and delivering it to him. Some individuals have pledged loyalty to the solar god in trade for an elevated standing or a extra fascinating job within the harsh desert. Others are tasked with performing slave-like labor, extracting Essence, and transporting it throughout the dunes.
The protagonist discovers a strong historical Gauntlet that is ready to manipulate Essence to form the sand, granting its wielder highly effective weapons and powers. With this newfound energy, the participant units out to guide a riot and put a cease to the savage rule of Thelos.
All hope depends on the Gauntlet
The Gauntlet means that you can equip two of three potential weapons always. The Dunecleaver is a strong heavy weapon axe and hammer hybrid. The Sandwhip is a quick attacking whip that additionally means that you can shut distances rapidly. Lastly, the Knuckledust is a hard-hitting fist weapon that additionally means that you can develop extra arms as you pound your foe. Every weapon has its personal particular assaults and combos that synergize in a different way with the opposite weapons. Actually, the three weapons are distinctive sufficient, however as soon as I discovered the combo of weapons that labored for me—Sandwhip and Knuckledust—I by no means actually discovered the necessity to ever us the third weapon.
Whereas beating up on majestic beasts within the desert, you’ll additionally discover ways to grasp Atlas Fallen’s Momentum system. Momentum is a little bit of a risk-reward system. As you efficiently land assaults, you’ll replenish your Momentum bar. As its crammed, it is possible for you to to hold out extra hard-hitting particular assaults. Nonetheless, the fuller the bar is, the extra injury you’re taking when you find yourself hit.
It’s an excellent premise, but it surely actually feels prefer it misses the mark slightly bit. There’s not actually any danger available, as a result of on the finish of the day you’re simply going to be specializing in beating down your enemy. I by no means actually stopped constructing momentum to contemplate the chance of doing so. As a substitute, I’d simply attempt to land as many assaults as I may whereas additionally prioritizing not getting hit so I didn’t danger taking extra injury.
All through the world you can find deposits of Essence, in addition to from dropped enemies. With this Essence you possibly can unlock new talents and improve your Gauntlet, rising its capabilities.
A really lovely world
Visually, the world of Atlas Fallen is solely lovely. I actually discovered myself stopping to go searching the huge open landscapes, and admiring the great thing about the ruins scattered amongst the sands. The element in a few of the areas such because the Knights of Bastengard Stronghold is second to none.
As you progress by means of the world you’ll go to three totally different areas in complete. Each has a essential hub that you’ll pickup the majority of your quests from. Extra elective quests and collectables are peppered all all through the realm as effectively, in no brief provide. Your Gauntlet additionally has the power to boost buried objects up out of the sand, which might embrace chests and even constructions that let you attain increased elevation areas.
A few of the colossal beasts that you simply encounter are fairly unimaginable as effectively, each in measurement and look. Followers of Monster Hunter will discover familiarities right here, as a few of the greater monsters have varied physique elements which you can concentrate on. For those who deal sufficient injury to them, they are going to break, inflicting huge injury to the enemy and in addition dropping particular loot. Sadly, I discovered loot to be largely irrelevant all through Atlas Fallen. I nonetheless tried to interrupt as many monster elements as I may, however by no means discovered the supplies I obtained for doing so to actually matter.
In truth, that is maybe one of many greater points with Atlas Fallen. Quite a lot of the methods in place are nice in premise, and even have their very own intricacies to them. Nonetheless, generally they fall brief by way of relevancy. In an unlimited open world motion RPG like Atlas Fallen, tools and itemization must be necessary. Sadly, this isn’t the case. In truth, I feel it could be fairly potential to play by means of all of Atlas Fallen with out bothering to equip something you’ve obtained all through the whole expertise.
However, not every little thing is gorgeous
Sadly there are some fairly sizeable issues with Atlas Fallen as effectively. The most important problem for sure is the voice appearing. Don’t get me improper, I don’t anticipate each title to have Baldur’s Gate 3 stage of voiceovers. However the voice appearing in Atlas Fallen isn’t even common, it’s downright horrible. A few of the non-important facet NPC’s had been alright, however the playable character in addition to your essential companion, Nyaal, weren’t nice. It actually took from the general expertise.
From a lore perspective, the burden of the world is on these two character’s shoulders. However you wouldn’t have identified that based mostly on their monotone line supply. I do know I’m emphasizing this lots right here, however can’t stress how unhealthy it’s. We’re speaking worse than Peter Dinkelage as Ghost in Future 2 earlier than they changed him.
Total the story of Atlas Fallen had lots of potential, but it surely falls brief and total I feel the voiceover was a giant a part of it. Moreover, the story felt a bit rushed at occasions. In complete it took me simply over 14 hours to finish Atlas Fallen, however I did a superb little bit of the elective content material it needed to supply. If somebody was beelining by means of the principle story quests solely, I might not be stunned to see a sub 10 hour completion. Nonetheless, in case you do select to take your time and actually discover each nook and cranny to acquire each collectible and full each facet quest, I may see it taking 20 hours.
Additionally, lots of the possibly improbable options in Atlas Fallen find yourself feeling tacked on. There’s a characteristic referred to as Watcher’s Fury the place when you’ve executed sufficient to attract the eye of the attention of Thelos, he’ll create an enormous sandstorm in your location. Contained in the storm an onslaught of enemies will assault you, all whilst you have restricted visibility. Once I first encountered Watcher’s Fury I used to be excited to see the result of it. You’ve the selection of working and escaping the storm, or combating all of the enemies to the tip. On the finish you get some slightly primary loot…and that’s about it.
All in all, the Watcher’s Fury felt fairly lackluster in each method. Moreover, I solely skilled the Watcher’s Fury a couple of occasions all through Atlas Fallen, making me marvel why it existed within the first place.
A flawed however good expertise
Total, I like Atlas Fallen. It’s nice to see Deck13 step exterior its consolation zone and present us their tackle an open world. It’s a superb time, but it surely may have been a good time.
This was actually a troublesome title to evaluation for me. In some methods, Atlas Fallen reveals glimpses of a really exceptional AAA title. The world is huge and exquisite and energetic. However in different methods, it simply makes me want it had been extra. The fight system had the potential to go away a memorable mark on the style. However, in actuality, it is going to as an alternative most likely find yourself being forgettable as an alternative. It felt like maybe Deck13 performed issues method too secure with their first non-Soulslike endeavor.
I do assume there’s cause sufficient to expertise Atlas Fallen. Particularly if you’re a fan of the motion RPG style. It could not go away a long-lasting impression when you’ve accomplished the journey. However will probably be fulfilling sufficient alongside the way in which to carry your curiosity. Additionally, I didn’t get the chance to strive it out however you possibly can play the whole lot of Atlas Fallen co-operatively. Actually, whereas I don’t assume that will repair any of the larger flaws. Nonetheless, I do assume it may improve the expertise total.
Maybe the most effective phrases to summarize Atlas Fallen is that this: I can’t wait to see what Deck13 does subsequent.
[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]
