Atomfall: The Red Strain DLC
The Red Strain is the second DLC for the RPG Atomfall. It provides another interesting side story that is adjacent to that of the main game. Set in the new region of Stafell Crag, the player finds a secret installation called Test Site Moriah, run by C.O.R.E. (Co-ordinated Orbital Research Establishment). C.O.R.E. have seniority over B.A.R.D. (British Atomic Research Department) and have taken much of their research and used it for their own experiments. This includes the Red Strain, a genetically modified version of the Blue Infection. However, this has escaped containment and spread throughout the entire site. Once again the player must explore the zone, looking for leads and collecting resources, while trying to piece together what has happened. As in the previous DLC and main game, not every NPC that you meet in The Red Strain can be trusted.
The Red Strain is the second DLC for the RPG Atomfall. It provides another interesting side story that is adjacent to that of the main game. Set in the new region of Stafell Crag, the player finds a secret installation called Test Site Moriah, run by C.O.R.E. (Co-ordinated Orbital Research Establishment). C.O.R.E. have seniority over B.A.R.D. (British Atomic Research Department) and have taken much of their research and used it for their own experiments. This includes the Red Strain, a genetically modified version of the Blue Infection. However, this has escaped containment and spread throughout the entire site. Once again the player must explore the zone, looking for leads and collecting resources, while trying to piece together what has happened. As in the previous DLC and main game, not every NPC that you meet in The Red Strain can be trusted.
The DLC offers new weapons, including a silenced pistol and SMG, as well as several new skills. The player can now scavenge weapons from the C.O.R.E. Robots that patrol the region, although their high destructive power is offset with slow rate of fire. There is also an upgraded version of the Signal Redirector (MK II), which now allows the player to control turrets, swarms and robots, as well as switch power to locked or deactivated areas. Stafell Crag, a former rocket research site, is a far more vertical zone and as such adds a further degree of interest while travelling the area. The infected guards are all armed with SMGs and the C.O.R.E. Robots patrolling the various buildings have organic brains. Hence they are more aggressive when challenged and persistent if you retreat. As ever, stealth is the safest approach when exploring.
Stafell Crag is pleasingly different in its aesthetic, compared to the Midsummer Isle and the main regions of the base game. The railway station is atmospheric but also tactically useful, as the bridge and signal box offer elevated positions. Test Site Moriah is dominated by the rocket testing facilities and radar domes. I have referenced previously how aspects of the game draw upon the writings of Nigel Kneale. This area is very reminiscent of the military facility that features in Quatermass II. The story in The Red Strain DLC is far more science fiction driven and an interesting contrast to the folk horror themes found in Wicked Isle. The main characters are unusual, being disembodied brains in life support jars. The voice acting for these curious individuals is very good and the banter between them reflect the sociopolitical and class idioms of the time.
The Red Strain offers two new endings to the main game and they are quite different to those from the base game and the Wicked Isle DLC. Although well conceived, they may not satisfy all players, especially those who have not completed the game before. New players may be better served by playing through the Atomfall base game first and choosing one of the original six endings. Another notable difference in The Red Strain DLC, is that the Voice on the Phone does not offer as much guidance this time. He frequently calls and makes comments on developments but he doesn’t appear to have a preferred course of action. This is possibly because the story in the DLC does seem to be tangential to that of Atomfall, whereas the Wicked Isle was more closely linked. The entire Oberon issue doesn’t really materialise in The Red Strain until there is a plot requirement at the end to bypass the Interference Field.
Atomfall developer, Rebellion, have managed to craft three very engaging narrative arcs. The base game blends a mixture of science fiction and horror elements in a uniquely British idiom. The investigative approach, rather than simply undertaking clearly defined missions, is one of the game’s greatest strengths. The Wicked Isle DLC has a specific narrative tone referencing folk horror and the gameplay is stealth focused. The Red Strain has a far more science fiction driven story with a more aggressive approach to combat. However, the endings for the latest DLC do seem more specific and definitive than those available in the base game. Also, The Red Strain does not add any further details to the existing lore. We learn nothing further about Oberon or the Voice of the Phone. Hence I wonder if this marks the end of the development cycle for Atomfall or whether there will be any further DLC?
Atomfall: Wicked Isle DLC
Wicked Isle DLC for the RPG Atomfall was released on 3rd June, two months after the base game launched. As with its predecessor there are no specific missions, the DLC requires the player to explore the environment to pick up leads. These ultimately provide a coherent story but the clues may not necessarily be obtained in the correct order. Hence, again there is a requirement for players to look, listen and think. Referring to the in-game notebook is beneficial for narrative clarification. As well as a new story, Wicked Isle DLC also has new weapons, items and skills. This includes a Blunderbuss shotgun which inflicts huge damage but has a limited range, as well as a cutlass and some ritualistic weapons. There is also an upgraded metal detector along with the Decomposition skill, which causes enemies to rapidly dissolve into fungal spores after a takedown. This means that dead NPCs cannot be discovered.
Wicked Isle DLC for the RPG Atomfall was released on 3rd June, two months after the base game launched. As with its predecessor there are no specific missions, the DLC requires the player to explore the environment to pick up leads. These ultimately provide a coherent story but the clues may not necessarily be obtained in the correct order. Hence, again there is a requirement for players to look, listen and think. Referring to the in-game notebook is beneficial for narrative clarification. As well as a new story, Wicked Isle DLC also has new weapons, items and skills. This includes a Blunderbuss shotgun which inflicts huge damage but has a limited range, as well as a cutlass and some ritualistic weapons. There is also an upgraded metal detector along with the Decomposition skill, which causes enemies to rapidly dissolve into fungal spores after a takedown. This means that dead NPCs cannot be discovered.
One of the most interesting aspects of Wicked Isle DLC, is that rather than being a sequel to the events of Atomfall, it is a tangential story that links into the main narrative. It also provides two additional endings to the main game and sheds further light on the existing lore. Taking place on Midsummer Isle which is adjacent to the Windscale site, the player can access the DLC by going to the docks in Wyndham Village and talking to boatman Bill Anderson. It should be noted that if a player has progressed too far into the main story of Atomfall, they will not be able to access the DLC and the game will notify them accordingly. However, this can be remedied by loading a prior save game, or by starting the main game again and proceeding straight to Wyndham Village.
The Wicked Isle DLC story is very much in the same idiom Atomfall. Midsummer Isle is home to yet more druids and bandits, suffering from the same fungal blight. However, the main story centres on the remnants of an Abbey and its mysterious demise in the seventeenth century. The player is afforded glimpses of the past, through the use of a strange mead brewed from the fungal spores. It is via these flashbacks that we learn how the Abbey discovered an “angel” which bears an alarming similarity to Oberon. The blending of the supernatural with science again is very reminiscent of the works of Nigel Kneale and this DLC has a definite Quatermass vibe to it. Again there are significant choices to be made while playing, which can alter the story outcome of both the DLC and the base game.
Again there are some excellent easter eggs in the Wicked Isle DLC, making more British pop culture references. Something akin to the Lochness Monster can be seen briefly swimming off the shore and there is a creepy nod to Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons. However, despite a strong story and new elements to the game, the lack of a fast travel system continues to be a nuisance. On occasions a lead may send a player from Midsummer Isle back to Wyndham and then across another two zones to expedite the plot. This all has to be done on foot and can be ponderous. As with Atomfall, relying on stealth or simply running away is often the best option, rather than direct combat. The new Aquatic Ferals are especially dangerous at close range and are often in pairs. Unless a player has obtained a decent ranged weapon, combat options can be at times limited.
I enjoyed Wicked Isle DLC and in some respects preferred it to some of the storylines in Atomfall. It is singularly creepy and the ending I chose actually clarified the overall story a lot more. Overall I still like the fact that developer’s Rebellion has chosen not to make the protagonist over powered. The world is hostile and needs to be navigated with caution. You can choose to play as quickly as you see fit but the game does reward a steady and measured approach. If you immerse yourself in the lore, read all information that comes your way and make use of the notebook, the story is both atmospheric and rewarding. The ambience and tone of Wicked Isle DLC along with its uniquely British setting, is for me its biggest selling point. It is not an afterthought as some DLC can be, instead being a solid addition to the game.
Update:
While writing this post, Rebellion have just announced a further “story expansion”, The Red Strain, coming to Atomfall on 16th September. At this point it is not clear if this content is included in the Deluxe Edition of the game or whether it will be chargeable.
Shadow of War: Blade of Galadriel DLC
Warner Bros released a new story expansion for Middle-earth: Shadow of War on Tuesday as well as a patch that expands and “improves” the core game. Blade of Galadriel DLC, follows the adventures of Eltariel, an elite Elven warrior who is sent to Mordor to hunt the Nazgûl. As a playable character Eltariel wields dual blades and the uses the Light of Galadriel instead of a Ring of Power. There are also another eight unique Legendary Orcs added to main story campaign that can be recruited. The Nemesis System has been tweaked, introducing new traits and behaviours to Orc Captains. These include “Tunnel Rat” which lets Orcs burrow into the ground and summon Ghûls, and “Sniper Shot”, which causes archers to fire from great distances with pinpoint accuracy. “Tremor”, makes Ologs concussively hit the ground, staggering nearby foes and damaging structures. The “Gifts of Treasure” offers an alternate way to earn Gems and Mirian.
Warner Bros released a new story expansion for Middle-earth: Shadow of War on Tuesday as well as a patch that expands and “improves” the core game. Blade of Galadriel DLC, follows the adventures of Eltariel, an elite Elven warrior who is sent to Mordor to hunt the Nazgûl. As a playable character Eltariel wields dual blades and the uses the Light of Galadriel instead of a Ring of Power. There are also another eight unique Legendary Orcs added to main story campaign that can be recruited. The Nemesis System has been tweaked, introducing new traits and behaviours to Orc Captains. These include “Tunnel Rat” which lets Orcs burrow into the ground and summon Ghûls, and “Sniper Shot”, which causes archers to fire from great distances with pinpoint accuracy. “Tremor”, makes Ologs concussively hit the ground, staggering nearby foes and damaging structures. The “Gifts of Treasure” offers an alternate way to earn Gems and Mirian.
Photo Mode has also been upgraded, adding new filters, frames, styles, adjustable expressions, and stickers. I always enjoy this facility when it appears in a game and would like to see it available in more titles. Taking screen captures of alts has always been a major part of the fun of any RPG or MMORPG and developers should not overlook this. The latest DLC and patch have also added new Talion or Eltariel player skins for use in the main story campaign. There's also a new stat page, making it easier to keep track of your progress through the game. Plus, a Field of View option has been added which is something that players have regularly asked for. In any game where situational awareness is important, having a broad FOV in invaluable.
I played Middle-earth: Shadow of War heavily when it was released last October. It’s the sort of game that lends itself to intensive play and forging ahead through the storyline. The main selling point is the ridiculous, lore breaking narrative that takes substantial liberties with established canon. Yet if you’re prepared to suspend your sense of disbelief, it is an entertaining game. What becomes very clear after playing the new Blade of Galadriel DLC for about twenty minutes or so, is that apart from a new character skin and a few alternative skills, you’re doing exactly the same as what you did initially with Talion. It’s a classic example of same meat, different gravy which is fine if you can’t get enough of murdering Orcs. However, if you grew tired of this last time round, it’s not going to get any better this time.
Needless to say, as I have other games available at present that I’m more interested in pursuing, I decide to postpone exploring the Blade of Galadriel for the immediate future. Another reason to put it on hold is the simple fact that I’ve already forgotten most of the keyboard combinations for the special attacks and powers. Something that seems to happen a lot these days if I stop playing a game for too long. However, I will give credit where credit is due, because Monolith Studios have certainly provided a substantial amount of new content in this DLC. Furthermore, as a season pass holder there is still more to come later this year. I suspect that I will enjoy this new story at a later date when I want something a little less demanding than the MMOs I am currently involved with.
