{{Infobox video game | title = Atlas Fallen | image = Atlas Fallen cover art.jpg | developer = [[Deck13 Interactive]] | publisher = [[Focus Entertainment]] | director = Jan Klose | designer = Jérémy Hartvick | engine = Fledge | platforms = {{ubl|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} | released = 10 August 2023 | genre = [[Action role-playing]] | modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] }}
'''''Atlas Fallen''''' is an [[action role-playing video game]] developed by [[Deck13 Interactive]] and published by [[Focus Entertainment]]. The game was released for [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]], and [[Xbox Series X/S]] on 10 August 2023. It received mixed reviews from critics.
==Gameplay== ''Atlas Fallen'' is a [[third-person perspective|third-person]] [[action role-playing video game]]. At the beginning of the game, players can create and customize their own player avatar. The player character is equipped with an ancient gauntlet that allows them to manipulate sand, to turn it into weapons. Players can use three different weapons, though they can only carry two at any given time.<ref name="PSBlog">{{cite web|url=https://blog.playstation.com/2023/03/15/how-atlas-fallen-elevates-sand-play-with-superpowered-combat-and-exploration/|title=How Atlas Fallen elevates sand play with superpowered combat and exploration|first1=Sven|last1=Hammer|first2=Lila|last2=Grimaldi|work=[[PlayStation Blog]]|date=March 15, 2023|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref> ''Atlas Fallen'' is an action-oriented game; players are required to dodge, counter and block incoming attacks, as well as quickly switching between land and air combat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/atlas-fallen-hands-on-substance-style-and-a-solid-fantasy-romp/|title=Atlas Fallen hands-on: substance, style and a solid fantasy romp|first=Adam|last=Barnes|work=[[GamesRadar]]|date=March 15, 2023|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref> As players attack enemies, they will gain momentum. At certain momentum threshold, the weapon the player is wielding will transform, and they can unleash a special skill or ability that deals devastating damage to their opponents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/atlas-fallen-preview-surf-the-sands|title=Atlas Fallen Preview: Surf the Sands|first=Gabriel|last=Moss|work=[[IGN]]|date=March 21, 2023|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref>
The game features an [[open world]], with regions for players to explore, and players can meet different [[non-playable character]]s and complete various side quests and activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/atlas-fallens-action-rpg-combat-looks-truly-delicious-in-motion|title=Atlas Fallen's action RPG combat looks truly delicious in motion|first=Ed|last=Thorn|work=[[Rock, Paper, Shotgun]]|date=August 25, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref> Movement is an essential part of the game's exploration and transversal. With the gauntlet, players can glide through the game's desert landscape. The gauntlet allows players to perform feats such as air dashing. Players can raise buried objects, allowing them to discover hidden areas and open up new paths. As players progresses in the game, they will find "Shards" and "Catalyst Pieces", which further upgrade the gauntlet's combat capabilities.<ref name="PSBlog"/> The game includes a two-player [[cooperative video game|cooperative multiplayer]] mode.
==Development== ''Atlas Fallen'' is being developed by [[Deck13 Interactive]] using their in-house engine Fledge. According to design director Jérémy Hartvick, the game is not a "[[Soulslike]]" like the studio's previous games, ''[[Lords of the Fallen (2014 video game)|Lords of the Fallen]]'' and ''[[The Surge]]''. Instead, its combat system emphasizes speed and fluidity, and that the game's overall design was inspired by games such as ''[[God of War (2018 video game)|God of War]]'' (2018) and the ''[[Horizon (video game series)|Horizon]]'' series. Nonetheless, staples from ''The Surge'' games such as a body targeting system were incorporated into ''Atlas Fallen''. The game offers three difficulty modes, with the hard mode designed for veteran players of ''Soulslike'' games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/atlas-fallen-is-not-a-souls-like|title=Atlas Fallen is not a Souls-like, compares itself more to God of War or Horizon: Forbidden West|first=Dom|last=Peppiatt|work=[[VG 247]]|date=August 24, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref>
''Atlas Fallen'' was announced by Deck13 and publisher [[Focus Entertainment]] at [[Gamescom]] in August 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/23318446/atlas-fallen-release-date-trailer-deck13-gamescom|title=New fantasy action-RPG Atlas Fallen looks like Dune meets Destiny|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=August 23, 2022|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref> While initially set to be released in May, the game was delayed to August 10, 2023, for [[Windows]], [[PlayStation 5]] and [[Xbox Series X and Series S]] to allow additional development time for the team to further polish the game and include a full German voice-over at launch.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/29/atlas-fallen-delayed-to-august|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329125101/https://www.gameinformer.com/2023/03/29/atlas-fallen-delayed-to-august|url-status=live|archive-date=March 29, 2023|title=Atlas Fallen Delayed To August|first=Wesley|last=LeBlanc|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=March 29, 2023|access-date=April 1, 2023}}</ref> Players who preorder the game will gain access to "Ruin Rising Pack", which introduces various cosmetic items and essence stones into the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-surge-devs-action-rpg-atlas-fallen-gets-may-release-date/1100-6511949/|title=The Surge Dev's Action-RPG Atlas Fallen Gets May Release Date|first=Steven|last=T. Wright|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=March 1, 2023|accessdate=April 1, 2023}}</ref>
A free content update, titled "Reign of Sand", which introduces new areas and quests, updated voice-overs and dialogue, and a revamped opening act, was released in August 2024.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/06/atlas-fallen-major-update-reign-of-sand-announced|title=Atlas Fallen major update ‘Reign of Sand’ announced|first=Sal|last=Romano|work=Gematsu|date=June 6, 2024|accessdate=October 19, 2024}}</ref>
==Reception== ''Atlas Fallen'' received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to [[review aggregator]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas Fallen |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/atlas-fallen/ |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=www.metacritic.com |language=en}}</ref> In Japan, four critics from ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave the game a total score of 29 out of 40.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=January 10, 2024|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2024/01/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1832|title=''Famitsu'' Review Scores: Issue 1832|website=Gematsu|access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.focus-entmt.com/en/games/atlas-fallen}}
[[Category:Action role-playing video games]] [[Category:Cooperative video games]] [[Category:Deck13 games]] [[Category:Fantasy video games]] [[Category:Focus Entertainment games]] [[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:2023 video games]] [[Category:Video games developed in Germany]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]