Let’s be honest—Atomfall doesn’t care if you’re prepared. It just drops you into its radioactive, mutant-filled version of Britain and says, “Good luck, mate.” And if you’re anything like me, that first hour or two was probably filled with a lot of confusion, some very painful combat encounters, and at least one moment of thinking, Wait, what am I even supposed to be doing?
This isn’t your typical survival game. There’s no glowing arrow leading you to safety, no XP bar flashing every time you kill a mutant. In Atomfall, you’re on your own—unless you happen to stumble across this guide. So, here are 11 tips I really wish someone had told me before I got my cricket bat handed to me.
Atomfall will launch on March 27, 2025 and is now available to pre-order. Atomfall is coming day one to Game Pass, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. Atomfall will also release on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4.
1. Don’t Expect a Hand-Holding Map
If you’re used to games that mark everything on the map and tell you exactly where to go—Atomfall is going to feel like a rude awakening. The game uses something called a “Leads” system, where you get hints about places and people, but nothing concrete. Sometimes it’s a note, a rough direction, or coordinates that feel like they came from a treasure map.
If you want your compass to actually point somewhere useful, you’ll need to manually tag a location on your map. Also, don’t stress—you can adjust difficulty and enable waypoint markers if the wandering gets too frustrating. It doesn’t ruin the experience; it just saves you from running in circles.
2. Tweak the Settings to Fit You
Before diving in too deep, take a quick detour into the settings. Atomfall actually has a solid bunch of accessibility options. You can scale text (a lifesaver if you’re squinting at subtitles), tweak your aim sensitivity based on field of view, and customize how interactions are displayed.
It’s not the most advanced options menu in gaming history, but it’s enough to make your experience way smoother—especially when things start getting chaotic.
3. If You’re in a Fight, You’re Probably Already Losing
Combat in Atomfall is not forgiving. Taking on one enemy is fine. Two? Manageable. Three or more? Unless you’re well-equipped, you might want to start thinking about your respawn point.
The real kicker? You don’t gain XP from combat. That’s right—fighting doesn’t actually level you up. So why risk it? Until you get decent weapons or unlock better skills, stealth is your best friend. Hide, sneak, and avoid conflict when you can. It’s not cowardice. It’s tactical survival.
4. Bluff Like Your Life Depends on It (Because It Might)
Here’s one of the coolest mechanics in the game: you can bluff enemies into surrendering. If you aim a ranged weapon at someone—even with no ammo—and they don’t have a gun, they might actually back off.
It doesn’t always work, especially if you’ve been on a murder spree and they’re feeling brave, but it’s saved me more than once. And hey, worst case? You’ve bought yourself a few seconds to run.
5. The Bow Is Your New Best Friend
Forget guns. Seriously. Once you get a bow, everything changes. It’s quiet, powerful, and super efficient. I was taking down armored enemies in two hits, regardless of where I aimed. Try doing that with a shotgun.
You can usually find bows in the Skethermoor region. And if you’re lucky, head over to Slatten Dale and see if trader Molly Jowett has the Bow Expert book in stock. (Trader inventories rotate, so check often.) Once you unlock bow-related skills, it becomes an absolute game-changer.
6. Don’t Get Comfortable—Enemies Respawn
Think you’ve cleared an area and can relax? Think again. Enemies respawn, sometimes immediately. I once cleared a bunker, left to eat lunch, and came back to the same enemies literally walking over their own dead bodies like it was nothing.
Whether it’s intentional or not, always assume a zone is hot—especially if you’re loading back in after a break.
7. Leveling Up Works Differently Here
No XP bar. No skill points for every enemy you kill. In Atomfall, you level up using Training Stimulants and manuals.
- Stimulants can be found during exploration, in B.A.R.D. cases, or after completing “leads.”
- Manuals teach you skills but are usually sold by traders or given as rewards.
Start with “Thick Skin” (trust me, you’ll need it), then invest in stealth skills. Again, Molly Jowett often sells helpful books—if you haven’t accidentally… you know… killed her.
8. Speaking of That… You Can Kill NPCs
Look, I’m not saying you should kill shopkeepers. But if you need that high-end battery and don’t have enough to trade? Well… there are options.
The game lets you go full rogue. Kill NPCs, loot what you need, and move on. Will it lock you out of certain quests or shops? Maybe. But Atomfall is surprisingly forgiving—many quests have alternate paths, so you won’t break the game by going a little feral.
Just save first. Always save first.
9. Seriously. Save Your Game. A Lot.
This game does not autosave consistently. Sure, it’ll save every few minutes or when entering a new area, but not when you grab a key item, win a tough fight, or solve a major lead.
I’ve lost a good chunk of progress more than once because I assumed the game had my back. It didn’t. Learn from my mistakes—manual saves are your lifeline.
10. Glitches Happen—But There Are Workarounds
Atomfall isn’t the most polished game out there. There are bugs, though nothing too wild (yet). One common glitch causes the world to go completely silent—no wind, no footsteps, nothing but voices.
Fix? Just save, quit, and reload. Easy.
Another issue? Throwing a Molotov into a big group of enemies can crash the game, especially on Xbox Series X. Avoid fire-based carnage unless you’ve saved recently.
11. Free Health Is Everywhere in Wyndham Village
Low on healing items? Go to Wyndham Village. Seriously. That place is like a post-apocalyptic bakery. Bread, cakes, veggies—it’s all just sitting around.
Even better? There are teapots that restore health. They’re tucked away in shops, homes, and patios. You can only use each one once, but it’s free healing. Take a sip, enjoy the calm, and prepare for whatever horrible thing is waiting on your next lead.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Play Like It’s Fallout
Atomfall is weird. In a good way. It doesn’t care about giving you XP for kills or flooding you with gear. It’s about figuring things out on your own, deciding who lives or dies, and surviving in a world that couldn’t care less about fairness.
It’s rough around the edges, but that’s part of the charm. So take your time, play smart, and maybe save a Molotov or two—for emergencies only.
You can pre-order this game on PlayStation, Xbox and PC via Steam or Epic Games Store.
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