Discover the Surprising Connection Between Atomfall and Avowed!

by

Summary

  • Atomfall and Avowed share deep lore and themes tied to powerful entities like Sapadal and Oberon.
  • Both games feature exotic, otherworldly landscapes affected by the influences of their respective beings.
  • Avowed’s Sapadal and Atomfall’s Oberon serve as cautionary tales on the consequences of meddling with powerful forces.

In the latest release from Rebellion Developments, titled “Atomfall“, gamers are immersed in a retro-inspired universe heavily influenced by British culture and history. The narrative revolves around the Windscale Power Plant nuclear incident of 1957, with the storyline diverging into an alternate timeline where the causes of the disaster remain enshrouded in mystery. Atomfall combines first-person shooter (FPS) action, role-playing game (RPG) and survival elements, folk horror, and science fiction to deliver a captivating adventure that challenges players to unravel the truth behind what truly happened at Windscale.

Recently, Obsidian Entertainment unveiled their long-awaited RPG title, “Avowed”, in February. This release was met with positive responses from both fans and critics alike. Notably, it represented a sort of comeback for the studio, offering a dark fantasy FPS RPG set within the universe of Eora introduced in the previous two installments of the “Pillars of Eternity” CRPG series. Although they may appear similar on the surface, these games are intricately linked by a common narrative thread that runs through their presentations and major themes, making for an engaging comparison between them.

Major spoilers for Avowed and Atomfall ahead.

Atomfall’s Oberon and Avowed’s Sapadal Are Strangely Two Sides of the Same Coin

Avowed’s Sapadal and the Dreamscourge

In a significant expansion, the series delved deeper into its mythology by disclosing that the long-forgotten deity of the Living Lands, Sapadal, had been imprisoned for centuries by the newer pantheon. The ongoing struggle of this confined deity to break free was the origin of a malady known as the Dreamscourge, which was causing transformations in the Lands’ vegetation and wildlife. The protagonist, the Envoy, is unveiled as Sapadal’s chosen one, who holds the power to either liberate or annihilate this trapped entity.

Atomfall’s Oberon

The blast at the Windscale Facility within Atomfall originated from an experiment on a large meteorite that hit the earth centuries ago, named Oberon. This meteor was instrumental for the scientific group BARD in creating advanced tech like atomic batteries and robots. However, when the core of Oberon was ruptured, it awakened a consciousness resembling a hive mind, triggering the disaster, and affecting the quarantine zone’s population with its alien influence.

How Atomfall’s Oberon and Avowed’s Sapadal Represent Similar Themes

The resemblance between Sapadal from ‘Avowed’ and Oberon from ‘Atomfall’ is evident in their portrayals and characteristics. In each case, their presence significantly alters their respective worlds. This transformation is visually depicted through unique, vibrant fungal growths and clouds of spores that paint the landscapes in a stunning array of colors, giving the environments an otherworldly feel.

In summary, these entities, Sapadal and Oberon, can communicate with humans either telepathically or through dreams. However, they’re not inherently evil, but their influence over people leads to gradual changes in personality and appearance that are detrimental. Some individuals manage to resist this transformation, maintaining their personalities while showing the physical alterations. Those who are fully transformed into a wild state are referred to as “thralls” in both narratives, and dealing with them may require violent measures or simply avoiding them altogether.

Both titles depict an environmental theme and cautionary message, albeit in different perspectives: one presents this through a fantasy world, while the other uses science fiction. In both instances, the anger of the alien/nature deities was provoked by external powers trying to control them.

In “Sapadal” from “Avowed”, his actions were driven by a need to protect himself and flee captivity. On the other hand, in “Atomfall”, it was some individuals who persisted with dangerous experiments on Oberon, disregarding the warnings of their peers and the potential risks, leading to catastrophic results. These stories serve as fascinating case studies and offer intellectual nourishment for philosophical and metaphysical contemplation, all while delivering engaging experiences.

Read More

2025-04-01 19:34