Atomfall Wicked Isle hands-on preview: The post-apocalyptic fantasy continues on a mysterious island

I recently got the opportunity to play Atomfall's first story expansion DLC, Wicked Isle. As officially described, it introduces a mysterious new region called Midsummer Isle, which is isolated from the mainland and only accessible via a boat ride.

I first heard about the DLC through its official announcement trailer, and it immediately piqued my interest. I loved the base game, and it was a beautiful experience. I spent around 20–30 hours uncovering most of its secrets and gaining a deeper understanding of the events surrounding the Windscale disaster.

Initially, I was a little skeptical about how Rebellion Developments would integrate this expansion into the existing narrative and whether it would enhance the Atomfall experience.

But oh my, the integration is nearly flawless. In my opinion, it was brilliantly executed, and the story adds something genuinely compelling to the base narration of the game.

Don't worry, this won't be a spoiler-filled article. Instead, think of it as a general first look and my personal impressions of Atomfall's Wicked Isle DLC.

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Atomfall’s Wicked Isle DLC: A dark and isolated fisherman’s island full of hidden mysteries from the past

Before diving into the Wicked Isle preview, let me give you a quick overview, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Atomfall. This post-apocalyptic title is set in an alternate-reality version of the Windscale nuclear disaster.

The core objective is to escape the quarantine zone, but for those with a curious mind, the game offers far more than a straightforward ending.

Multiple endings, hidden secrets, and a deep narrative within the zone allow you to dig deeper, uncovering the full picture behind the Windscale disaster. Early in the game, you’ll hear the name Oberon via the mysterious phone boot. The more you uncover, the deeper your curiosity grows, drawing you further into the story with every discovery.

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The beginnings of the Wicked Isle DLC

Now, there is one negative aspect I noticed the moment I booted up Atomfall again to start this DLC, but I’ll save that for the end.

In the trailer, Midsummer Isle is described as a former holy land now cursed, where only devils roam. Even reaching it is treacherous. Without a skilled sailor or a map, sailing to and from the island is said to be nearly impossible.

The island is only accessible from Wyndham Village, where a boat-keeper named Bill Anderson takes you across by boat to this mysterious location. Upon arrival, you step into a small boat dock area.

Knowing that this island was once considered holy, you naturally expect ancient, hidden secrets. And you’re assumptions are correct. The deeper you explore, the more the narrative unfolds, revealing the island’s dark past and the reasons why so much has been buried in secrecy. These discoveries not only shed light on Midsummer Isle but also provide deeper insight into the quarantine zone and its mysterious ties to Oberon.

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The Island's landscape and threats

Once you step onto the island, you’ll face new threats and mysteries. From Lake Bandits and a large number of powerful infected Druids to a deadly new enemy type called Aquatic Ferals, there’s no shortage of danger.

As I explored the island, I came across a building covered in big, bright blue mushrooms. At first, I thought they might be infectious, but that wasn’t the case. It was more of a visual hint at how the disaster has transformed the island over time.

Although the structures and surroundings may initially feel similar to those on the mainland, Midsummer Isle has a distinct atmosphere. You’ll come across hidden caves, regions infested with infectious flora and fauna, and treacherous waters that can conceal electric eels or Aquatic Ferals.

Every corner hides a threat. There’s no easy path here. At one point, while making my way toward the old Abbey ruins, a murder of crows suddenly attacked me; just one example of how immersive and engaging the environment is.

The Druids here are more formidable and in large numbers, especially around the ruins of an old abbey that sits atop. Bandits are another major threat. They’re aggressive on sight, and some even wield the new Blunderbuss shotgun, capable of dealing devastating damage if you’re not careful.

That’s not all, the island also introduces several new tools and features to elevate your experience. Alongside the powerful shotgun mentioned earlier, you’ll gain access to an enhanced metal detector, new daggers, unique abilities, and more, all designed to make your journey feel fresh and engaging.

One of the most unique and compelling aspects of the Wicked Isle DLC is the ability to witness visions from centuries ago, offering crucial insights that help you piece together the full story.

That’s all I’ll say; anything more would spoil the experience. From here on, it’s up to you how you choose to explore. As always, there’s no fixed path to follow; simply wandering through the island will naturally lead you toward the answers.

Also read: How to get every ending in Atomfall?

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Now, the flaw I held back until the end is something that might affect quite a few players. When I resumed my game, having already completed the main story, I was met with a message that read:

"Your downloadable content is unavailable because the story has progressed too far."

Naturally, many would assume that a DLC should be accessible even after finishing the main game. But in this case, it isn’t, because Wicked Isle is deeply tied to the core narrative, particularly with Oberon. If you’ve already progressed too far into the story, the DLC becomes inaccessible.

Thankfully, I always keep manual saves, which allowed me to load a point where I could still access the expansion. But not everyone saves manually, and for those players, the only option would be to start over from scratch. That can make the experience feel repetitive and may lessen the impact of the DLC, possibly making it less appealing than intended.

Personally, I had a great time. But if I had been forced to replay all the earlier sections, especially the missions tied to the main objective of the base game, the emotional and narrative peak I originally experienced might not have resonated the same way.

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That wraps up everything I wanted to share about my first impressions of the Wicked Isle DLC. On its own, the expansion stands strong, with a compelling and unique storyline that adds real depth to Atomfall. And you might even uncover a few alternate endings that tie back into the main story.