The main appeal of Atomfall, and the primary method of unwinding the intricacies of its complex mystery, is exploring its detailed world. Instead of opting for the more popular open-world approach, Atomfall’s world is designed more intentionally, split into a handful of regions separated by loading screens.
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What region do you want your sci-fi dystopian adventure to be in?
Each of these regions has a unique design and layout, and there are multiple ways to approach uncovering all of their mysteries, as well as travel between them. However, while some of these regions are a perfect example of what Atomfall does well, others lack behind, so which are the best in the game?
6
Windscale Plant
Final Stretch
It’s fitting that Windscale Plant is the region that you’ll spend the least time in, since it’s the region that has the least going on and is therefore the least engaging to explore. You can only get to Windscale Plant after you’ve powered up each part of the Interchange and opened each of its entrances, then you can head in and finish the game and get one of its endings.
After you finally make it in, you’re treated to a pretty linear choice of two paths to make it to the final chamber where Oberon is held. These pathways aren’t anything special, essentially serving as arenas for a couple of tough enemy encounters (or you could just run past them), but things get a bit better in the last area. When you’re faced with the full glory of Oberon, you’re given a chance to explore a bit more freely while you complete the last objectives.
5
Slatten Dale
First Hurdle
Once you make it out of the first bunker you spawn in, you’ll be greeted with the stunning sight of Slatten Dale. Out of all the regions in Atomfall, Slatten Dale feels the most vertical, and you can use this verticality to strategize a route ahead and make sure you’re aware of any threats looming nearby.
Even though Slatten Dale is one of the more visually appealing regions in Atomfall, it’s unfortunately one of the more barren. While the first bunker is treated like a tutorial, Slatten Dale is the extension of this, putting you in a pretty safe environment (excluding the roaming outlaws) to experiment with the game’s mechanics and explore. There are secrets to uncover, but after a visit or two, there aren’t that many reasons to return to the region.
4
Wyndham Village
Want To Be Where The People Are
While the Interchange is technically the center of the entire map, it sometimes feels like Wyndham Village is the true heart of Atomfall. Aside from a couple of areas that are technically out of bounds, it’s the only area in the game where you’ll consistently feel safe, and most NPCs will be fine with your presence unless you manage to really get on the Protocol’s bad side.
You’ll keep returning to Wyndham Village to complete quests and follow up on leads, and this makes sense since most of the friendly NPCs are located here, but because of how built up and populated the area is, there are fewer chances to actually explore. Even though you’ll likely return to Wyndham most often, your visits will likely be quite short since, after your first visit, there isn’t much to see except the people.
3
Skethermoor
Protocol HQ
There are plenty of different ways to make it into Skethermoor, but no matter which way you enter, you’ll quickly come across the imposing Protocol base in the center. While you’ll have the chance to explore the more abandoned areas on the outskirts, you’ll always be alert thanks to the heavy Protocol presence in the region.
However, this divide of Protocol territory and its outskirts makes for an interesting style of exploration, and it’s one of the areas that you’ll have the most reasons to return to, especially if you finally get access to explore the Protocol-controlled area. Skethermoor is also where you’ll find the most bunkers, hidden secrets, and even a few friendly faces where you’re not expecting to find them. Skethermoor also contains Skethermoor Prison, and while it’s a pretty linear area, it’s one of the more detailed dungeon-like zones outside the Interchange.
2
Casterfell Woods
Walking Children In Nature
If you enter Casterfell Woods through the Wyndham entrance, then at first, it will just seem like an abandoned take on the village it borders, but as you get deeper, the once-built-up area gets more and more dominated by nature, making for a stunning contrast and plenty of unique landmarks.
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Casterfell Woods is also one of the more interesting areas to explore, thanks to its winding pathways and the balance of nature and artificial structures. A highlight is a broken and abandoned raised road running through the center of the region, ending right by one of the entrances to the druid territory, marked by its giant Wicker Men. Thanks to the dense forestry, you’ll also find plenty of hidden secrets, as well as points of interest like the Castle Ruins, Datlow Hall, and the Dam.
1
The Interchange
The Centerpiece
While at first the Interchange feels imposing and closed off, with how often you return, usually from a different entrance, the layout of the massive area will finally start to make sense. With each of its giant quarantine doors you unlock and each region you power up, the giant space will come to life in various dynamic ways.
Different factions will follow you through the newly opened entrances, and turrets and security measures will wake up and make traversal a more intentionally designed challenge. While such an artificial structure might feel lifeless compared to the other more natural regions, this is offset by the varying levels of Oberon mutation and spores that have spread in different areas. The Interchange is also home to the Medical and Robotics sub-areas, both complex and lore-heavy dungeons that are as tense to explore as they are detailed.
Survival
Action
Adventure
- Released
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March 27, 2025
- ESRB
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Teen // Blood, Language, Violence
- X|S Optimized
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Yes
- Number of Players
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1
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown