Atlas Fallen by developer Deck13 is an ambitious departure from their previous titles, such as Lords of the Fallen and The Surge 2. This third-person action RPG focuses on fast-paced encounters and speed, deviating from the Soulslike genre. While smaller enemies make occasional appearances, the primary foes are giant hulking beasts, a significant element of the gameplay.
The world of Atlas Fallen has been devastated by the savage sun god Thelos. Once lush landscapes are now vast sand dunes with occasional remnants of dried-out grass and dead trees. The inhabitants are obligated to extract a powerful resource called Essence from the world and deliver it to Thelos, serving him in exchange for improved status or more desirable jobs in the harsh desert. Others are exploited as laborers, extracting Essence and transporting it across the dunes.
The game’s protagonist discovers a powerful ancient Gauntlet that can manipulate Essence, allowing the shaping of sand and granting potent weapons and powers. Empowered by this newfound strength, the player embarks on a rebellion to overthrow Thelos and restore hope to the world. The Gauntlet allows players to equip two out of three potential weapons simultaneously: the Dunecleaver, a heavy weapon axe and hammer hybrid, the Sandwhip which is a fast attacking whip for quick close-combat, and the Knuckledust, a hard-hitting fist weapon with the ability to grow additional arms. Each weapon offers unique attacks and combos that synergize differently with the others.
The game introduces the Momentum system, a risk-reward mechanic where successful attacks fill up a Momentum bar, enabling powerful special attacks. However, the fuller the bar, the more damage the player receives when hit. Although an interesting concept, the system lacks real risk as most players prioritize dealing damage while avoiding it.
Essence deposits and dropped enemies provide resources for unlocking abilities and upgrading the Gauntlet, enhancing its capabilities.
Visually, Atlas Fallen offers a stunning world, with vast open landscapes and beautiful ruins scattered amidst the sands. The attention to detail in areas like the Knights of Bastengard Stronghold is superb. Throughout the game, players will explore three different areas, each with its own main hub for quests, alongside numerous optional quests and collectibles. The Gauntlet’s ability to raise buried objects allows access to hidden chests and elevated areas.
Colossal beasts encountered during the gameplay are impressive in both size and appearance, engaging players in a similar manner to Monster Hunter. Damaging specific body parts can result in the breaking of those parts, inflicting significant damage and providing special loot. Unfortunately, loot feels largely inconsequential in Atlas Fallen, undermining its potential importance in an open world RPG. It is even possible to complete the game without equipping any obtained items, highlighting a significant issue with the game’s systems and their relevance.
However, Atlas Fallen does suffer from significant flaws. The voice acting, particularly from the playable character and main companion Nyaal, is subpar, detracting from the overall experience. The weight of the world’s lore rests on these characters’ shoulders, yet their monotone delivery undermines their importance. Additionally, the story feels rushed at times, with a completion time of just over 14 hours even with optional content included. Beelining through the main story may result in a sub 10-hour completion time, while fully exploring the game could take around 20 hours.
Features like Watcher’s Fury, where attention from Thelos creates a massive sandstorm and an onslaught of enemies, ultimately feel underwhelming and unnecessary. These issues prevent Atlas Fallen from reaching its full potential.
Despite its flaws, Atlas Fallen is an enjoyable experience that showcases Deck13’s ability to create an open-world game outside of their comfort zone. While it falls short of greatness, glimpses of its potential shine through in its beautifully rendered world. The combat system, though lacking memorable impact, still provides a good time for players. Overall, Atlas Fallen is a flawed yet worthwhile adventure.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
