Deck 13, a German game studio known for titles such as Ankh and The Surge, has released their latest game, Atlas Fallen. In a gaming drought where few interesting titles are being released, Atlas Fallen has managed to grab attention, although it may not offer anything groundbreaking.
Atlas Fallen is an action RPG set in an open world, following the popular “souls-like” formula that punishes players for any missteps. However, unlike other games in the genre, Atlas Fallen is not as punishing when it comes to precise timing and blocking, resulting in fewer frustrating deaths and repetitive gameplay. This is a welcome change, considering the abundance of similar games on the market.
The game’s protagonist is a slave who discovers a powerful artifact while completing tasks for his oppressive masters. This artifact is a magical glove that allows him to communicate with the game world, a popular trend in recent games such as High on Life and Atomic Heart.
The story starts off promising, with an interesting world and a vengeful god watching over the protagonist’s every move. However, it quickly devolves into a generic save-the-world plot, with dialogue that does little to enhance the storytelling.
When it comes to combat, Atlas Fallen excels. Players have a variety of weapons and magical abilities to choose from, allowing them to customize their fighting style. Each enemy requires a different strategy, and the game rewards successful hits with a satisfying recharge mechanic. However, most battles take place up close, making it difficult to land hits accurately.
The graphics are impressive, and the game runs smoothly, but it falls short of being a standout title. The limited variety of enemies and activities throughout the game’s roughly twenty-hour playtime can make it feel repetitive.
Despite its flaws, Atlas Fallen can still provide entertainment, especially when played in co-op mode. However, there are better options available for both solo and multiplayer experiences.
Overall, Atlas Fallen is a standard game without any added value. While it is technically well-made and visually appealing, it lacks the innovation and excitement that gamers expect in today’s market.Atlas Fallen: A Standard RPG with Limited Appeal
August 14, 2023
During the summer months, the gaming industry experiences a lull in the release of exciting new games. This is a time when gamers prefer to spend their free time outdoors rather than being glued to their screens, resulting in significantly lower sales compared to other times of the year. However, this gaming drought has created an opportunity for any even remotely interesting new release to garner attention. German studio Deck 13 (known for the Ankh series and The Surge) took advantage of this opportunity with their latest game, Atlas Fallen, although it was overshadowed by the highly anticipated Baldur’s Gate 3 (as discussed in a previous article).
Atlas Fallen attempts to stand out with its visually stunning desert world. However, beyond its impressive visuals, the game offers nothing that hasn’t been seen in countless other RPGs. It follows the familiar formula of an action RPG set in an open world, heavily influenced by the punishing mechanics of the “souls-like” genre. Unlike its counterparts, Atlas Fallen is not as unforgiving when it comes to precise timing and blocking, resulting in fewer deaths and repetitive gameplay. This is a welcome change, considering the abundance of similar games in the market. After the success of last year’s Elden Ring, the bar has been set high for this genre.
The protagonist of Atlas Fallen is a slave who discovers a powerful artifact, a glove that grants him magical powers and communicates with him throughout the game. This concept initially seems intriguing, and the world, constantly under the watchful eye of a punishing god, appears original. However, the story quickly devolves into a generic quest to save the world, with dialogue that does little to enhance the narrative.
The combat mechanics in Atlas Fallen are where the game shines. Players have a variety of weapons and magical abilities to choose from, allowing them to customize their fighting style. Each enemy requires a different strategy, and relying on two favorite moves will not lead to success. Enemies also have multiple weak points, similar to Horizon Zero Dawn, where targeting specific areas can deal significant damage. However, most battles take place in close quarters, making it difficult to land hits accurately. On the other hand, the game introduces a unique mechanic called “len,” which recharges with each successful hit. This allows players to quickly recover from even the most dire situations, providing a high level of motivation.
The graphics in Atlas Fallen are impressive, and the game runs smoothly, especially on the PlayStation 5. However, these technical achievements are not enough to compensate for the lack of innovation and depth in the overall experience. Traveling through the empty world and endlessly fighting respawning enemies can be entertaining for a while, but it fails to create a sense of anticipation for what lies ahead. Even with a broken leg limiting my leisure activities, I struggled to find a compelling reason to continue playing.
The only exception may be the cooperative mode, where players can experience the entire campaign together. However, even in this mode, the shared time and money could be better utilized elsewhere.
In conclusion, Atlas Fallen is a standard RPG without any added value. While it boasts technically proficient production, it feels as if it was created by robots rather than humans.
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How does the combat mechanics in Atlas Fallen contribute to the overall gaming experience?
D, adds a layer of tension and suspense. However, the story quickly falls into the predictable save-the-world plotline, with lackluster dialogue that fails to engage the player.
Where Atlas Fallen truly shines is in its combat mechanics. Players are given a wide range of weapons and magical abilities to choose from, allowing for personalized fighting styles. Each enemy requires a different strategy, and successfully landing hits provides a satisfying recharge mechanic. However, the close-quarters combat can make it challenging to accurately land hits, leading to some frustration.
Visually, Atlas Fallen is impressive, with stunning graphics and smooth gameplay. However, the limited variety of enemies and activities throughout the game’s roughly twenty-hour playtime can make it feel repetitive and lacking in depth.
Though it has its flaws, Atlas Fallen can provide entertainment, particularly when played in co-op mode. However, for both solo and multiplayer experiences, there are better options available on the market. Overall, Atlas Fallen is a standard RPG without any standout features or innovative elements. While it is technically well-made and visually appealing, it fails to deliver the excitement and innovation that gamers expect in today’s market.
