Atlas Fallen is a really bold 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 pace and fast-paced encounters. Whilst you generally encounter teams of smaller enemies, the majority of your enemies is large hulking beasts, which shortly turns into a staple of the gameplay.

Atlas Fallen (PC, PS5[reviewed], Xbox Collection X|S)
Developer: Deck13
Writer: Focus Leisure
Launch: August 10, 2023
MSRP: PC: $49.99, PS5 & Xbox Collection X|S: $59.99

In Atlas Fallen, the world lies in destroy because of the savage solar god Thelos. A lot of the as soon as lush panorama is now solely sand dunes with the occasional lifeless tree or patch of dried-out grass. The inhabitants are compelled to serve Thelos by extracting a strong useful resource referred to as Essence from the world and delivering it to him. Some folks have pledged loyalty to the solar god in change 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 power, the participant units out to steer a rise up 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 shortly. Lastly, the Knuckledust is a hard-hitting fist weapon that additionally means that you can develop further arms as you pound your foe. Every weapon has its personal particular assaults and combos that synergize otherwise with the opposite weapons. Truthfully, 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 harm you’re taking when you find yourself hit.

It’s an ideal premise, however it actually feels prefer it misses the mark slightly bit. There’s not really any threat 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 danger of doing so. As a substitute, I’d simply attempt to land as many assaults as I might whereas additionally prioritizing not getting hit so I didn’t threat taking further harm.

All through the world you will see deposits of Essence, in addition to from dropped enemies. With this Essence you may unlock new talents and improve your Gauntlet, rising its capabilities.

A very lovely world

Visually, the world of Atlas Fallen is just lovely. I actually discovered myself stopping to go searching the huge open landscapes, and admiring the fantastic 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 the world you’ll go to three completely different areas in complete. Each has a most important hub that you’ll pickup the majority of your quests from. Extra non-obligatory quests and collectables are peppered all all through the world as nicely, in no quick provide. Your Gauntlet additionally has the power to boost buried objects up out of the sand, which might embody chests and even constructions that will let you attain larger elevation areas.

A few of the colossal beasts that you just encounter are fairly unimaginable as nicely, each in dimension and look. Followers of Monster Hunter will discover familiarities right here, as a few of the larger monsters have varied physique elements that you could deal with. Should you deal sufficient harm to them, they may break, inflicting large harm to the enemy and likewise 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 might, however by no means discovered the supplies I obtained for doing so to actually matter.

In truth, that is maybe one of many larger points with Atlas Fallen. Plenty of the programs in place are nice in premise, and even have their very own intricacies to them. Nonetheless, most often they fall quick by way of relevancy. In an enormous open world motion RPG like Atlas Fallen, tools and itemization ought to be necessary. Sadly, this isn’t the case. In truth, I feel it will be fairly doable to play by all of Atlas Fallen with out bothering to equip something you’ve obtained all through the complete expertise.

However, not the whole lot is gorgeous

Sadly there are some fairly sizeable issues with Atlas Fallen as nicely. The largest situation indisputably is the voice performing. Don’t get me unsuitable, I don’t anticipate each title to have Baldur’s Gate 3 degree of voiceovers. However the voice performing in Atlas Fallen isn’t even common, it’s downright horrible. A few of the non-important facet NPC’s have been alright, however the playable character in addition to your most important 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 loads right here, however can’t stress how dangerous it’s. We’re speaking worse than Peter Dinkelage as Ghost in Future 2 earlier than they changed him.

General the story of Atlas Fallen had plenty of potential, however it falls quick 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 an excellent little bit of the non-obligatory content material it needed to supply. If somebody was beelining by the primary story quests solely, I’d 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 might see it taking 20 hours.

Additionally, plenty of the possibly unbelievable options in Atlas Fallen find yourself feeling tacked on. There’s a function referred to as Watcher’s Fury the place when you’ve performed sufficient to attract the eye of the attention of Thelos, he’ll create a large sandstorm in your location. Contained in the storm an onslaught of enemies will assault you, all when you have restricted visibility. After I first encountered Watcher’s Fury I used to be excited to see the result of it. You have got the selection of operating and escaping the storm, or preventing all of the enemies to the tip. On the finish you get some moderately primary loot…and that’s about it.

All in all, the Watcher’s Fury felt fairly lackluster in each approach. Moreover, I solely skilled the Watcher’s Fury a number of occasions all through Atlas Fallen, making me marvel why it existed within the first place.

A flawed however good expertise

General, 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 an excellent time, however it might have been a good time.

This was actually a troublesome title to evaluation for me. In some methods, Atlas Fallen exhibits glimpses of a really exceptional AAA title. The world is huge and exquisite and vigorous. However in different methods, it simply makes me want it had been extra. The fight system had the potential to depart a memorable mark on the style. However, in actuality, it should as a substitute most likely find yourself being forgettable as a substitute. It felt like maybe Deck13 performed issues approach too protected with their first non-Soulslike endeavor.

I do suppose there may be purpose sufficient to expertise Atlas Fallen. Particularly in case you are a fan of the motion RPG style. It could not go away a long-lasting impression when you’ve accomplished the journey. However it will likely 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 may play everything of Atlas Fallen co-operatively. Truthfully, whereas I don’t suppose that may repair any of the larger flaws. Nonetheless, I do suppose it might improve the expertise total.

Maybe the perfect 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.]}