Atlas Fallen Review – A DUNE DELIGHT

It’s not often you see a game focus it’s setting around sand. Unless your name is the Prince of Persia, sand is usually reserved for the token desert level or to sit nice and pretty on an idyllic beach somewhere. Atlas Fallen, however, is based almost entirely around these tiny particles of rock. From the Egyptian-looking monsters called Wraiths, right down to its pacey sand surfing shenanigans, I don’t think we’ve ever seen this much tan in a video game.

Half Asleep

To set things in motion, our custom avatar branded the ‘Unnamed’ finds themselves wielding an ancient gauntlet soon after the proceedings of the game. Wasting away as a slave in a barren wasteland for years on end, a voice talks to him/her through said gauntlet and offers them a chance to become something more. Cue the dramatics—or lack thereof, in this case.

It should be known that the story in this game is not very interesting. Think of the most stock standard fantasy tropes you could think of, throw them into a pot, stir slightly, and then, lo and behold, you have Atlas Fallen. In one sentence, it could be boiled down to generic-fantasy-antics-meet-sand. But to be serious for a moment, the narrative beats are usually rushed or devoid of emotion, culminating in a final showdown that feels rather dull and inconsequential.

Doesn’t help that the voice acting and music aren’t particularly inspiring either, leading to an involuntary ‘meh’ sensation once the credits start rolling.

Doesn’t help that the voice acting and music aren’t particularly inspiring either, leading to an involuntary ‘meh’ sensation once the credits start rolling. And while the graphics are blatantly last-gen too, the campaign—which can be tackled entirely in 2-player co-op—and its mechanics are anything but rough and coarse.

Now We’re Talking!

The Unnamed main character can pull off various attacks and aerial assaults with the game’s three weapons to keep them floating mid-combat. Plus, they can parry enemies to crystallise them on the spot (even in mid-air) and gain access to an increasing number of powerful abilities through the tiered momentum system.

As this gauge fills up, it also alters the moveset of each weapon and brings in multiple layers of perks. However, it conversely raises the damage taken by the protagonist as well. This makes for a tightly balanced and strategic combat experience because some battles can be quite challenging, even on normal difficulty.

A decreasing amount of appendages often makes them extra aggressive, but it also increases the chances of rare loot dropping if an optional limb is broken.

It’s very cool how certain bosses contain numerous limbs that can be broken off too. A decreasing amount of appendages often makes them extra aggressive, but it also increases the chances of rare loot dropping if an optional limb is broken. That being said, I just wish there was a bit more enemy variety overall. Since the main campaign can be completed in about 10 hours, fighting the same lesser foes/bosses several times over—while they are enjoyable—does start to lose its lustre, even with Atlas Fallen’s relatively short campaign.

A Focused Effort

When it comes to traditional RPG elements, Atlas Fallen opts for a very simplified approach to the formula. The flamboyant-looking armour found along the way acts as the player character’s current level and stats, while the permanent perks and momentum ability improvements like a long-range lance or a crystallised bomb can be set after finding treasure, essence (XP) or upgrading the aforementioned armour.

It’s also neat how you can change up the 3 difficulties at any point and not be punished or barred from returning to the hardest challenge.

It’s also neat how you can change up the 3 difficulties at any point and not be punished or barred from returning to the hardest challenge. I understand that other games lock players out from switching the difficulty for trophy purposes, but it is nice to casually change it up whenever a boss is causing too much grief here. In addition, the frame rate seems to be pretty stable on PC at launch. Particularly important in Atlas Fallen, as there are enemies flying at you from left, right and centre. It’s imperative to be constantly aware of your surroundings, alongside the arrows and red flashes that warn players of incoming attacks and magic that can actively drain your Momentum.

In terms of the open-world aspects, they’re also pretty breezy, even if it can get a little fetch-questy at times. The pause-menu map is a little awkward to navigate as well with hard-to-read, small, white icons on a tan map that will make you feel like you’re 70 years old. Albeit, pacing through the sands like a roller-skating champ, platforming high up in the sky, finding useful treasures and taking down elite foes for upgrades are just a few of the fun things that’ll compel you to display a dune not disturb sign on your door… I’ll get my coat.

Decision

Sand puns aside, Atlas Fallen is a super solid action RPG. It may not have the best story, music and enemy variety, but the tough bosses, 2-player co-op and open-world sandsurfing/platforming are certainly worth experiencing. The Momentum system alone delivers a strong serving of strategy into the mix, while the ability to hang in the air and fight like a DragonBall Z character is extremely hype. Even though the main campaign is only around 10 hours long, grab a friend and suit up. It’s sand-tastic.

By Anthony Culinas – Reviewed on PC

This game was reviewed using a download code provided by Focus Entertainment. The Beta Network uses affiliate partnerships, however, this does not influence reviews or any other content published. The Beta Network may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links that are on the website.