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If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Opposite of aunt.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

UNCLE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A parasite.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

LEECH

Hurdle Word 3 hint

A candelight memorial.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VIGIL

Hurdle Word 4 hint

To be alarmed.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 22 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PANIC

Final Hurdle hint

The opposite of fell asleep.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

AWOKE

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for today's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 22 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: Tools to make music

• Green: A novelty

• Blue: Their beginnings are a number

• Purple: They share abbreviations

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Musical instruments

• Green: Knickknack

• Blue: Words with the prefix meaning "three"

• Purple: Words abbreviated with "T" + letter

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #648 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Musical instruments: TAMBOURINE, THEREMIN, TIMPANI, TROMBONE

• Knickknack: TCHOTCHKE, THINGAMAJIG, TRIFLE, TRINKET

• Words with the prefix meaning "three": TRIANGLE, TRIDENT, TRILLION, TRILOBITE

• Words abbreviated with "T" + letter: TELEVISION, TOUCHDOWN, TRADEMARK, TUBERCULOSIS

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to today's Connections.

A new TikTok trend has sparked discussions about body image and the often racist and classist biases embedded in beauty standards. The trend involves a viral filter that alters users’ appearances to make them look either larger or thinner. Many of the videos feature thinner people reacting with laughter when the filter makes them appear bigger, while others show larger people using the slimming effect as "motivation." These videos are often set to Doechii’s song "Anxiety."

It's yet another example of AI-driven tools being used in ways that can reinforce harmful beauty ideals — and it just kind of sucks.

SEE ALSO: TikTok is criticizing young girls who shop at Sephora. They're missing the point.

Following widespread criticism for promoting body shaming, the filter was removed from the platform. It originally appeared in CapCut, a video-editing app owned by TikTok. While TikTok told CNET that it had removed the template from CapCut, similar versions of the filter are still accessible. The company also told the BBC that it was reviewing videos featuring the effect, making them ineligible for recommendation, and blocking them from teen accounts.

If you search for "chubby filter," you won’t get any results, but users have found ways around this by searching for terms like "chunky filter." According to CNET, the filter now includes a disclaimer that reads: "You are more than your weight. If you or someone you know has questions about body image, food, or exercise — it is important to know that help is out there and you are not alone. If you feel comfortable, you can confide in someone you trust or check out the resources below. Please remember to take care of yourselves and each other." However, Mashable did not see this disclaimer.

SEE ALSO: Slugging, gua sha, rice water, and more: How stolen cultural beauty practices feed viral videos

Writer Rebecca Shaw summed up the issue in a post on X, commenting, "There’s an amaaazing new trend on TikTok where skinny girls use a filter to become 'chubby' and laugh at the results and everyone else laughs and it’s sooooooo funny and we definitely aren’t spiraling back down to pro-ana, death-to-fats era that damages every young woman."

As The Cut notes, this kind of fat shaming is nothing new — but that doesn’t make it any less harmful.

TL;DR: Live stream Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers for free on SBS On Demand. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The top two in the South American World Cup qualification standings are coming together in Montevideo. Argentina have a five-point cushion over Uruguay, but that lead could be cut to just two points after this exciting fixture.

If you want to watch Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Uruguay vs. Argentina?

Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on March 21. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Centenario.

How to watch Uruguay vs. Argentina for free

Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand.

SBS On Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams on SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Uruguay vs. Argentina by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit SBS On Demand

5. Stream Uruguay vs. Argentina for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for SBS On Demand?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SBS On Demand, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Uruguay vs. Argentina in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers for free on SBS On Demand. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ecuador are flying in South American qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but there is still work to do for this talented team. Next they face Venezuela at home, a game they will be confident of winning. Could Ecuador move up the standings and secure a spot in next year's showpiece event?

If you want to watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ecuador vs. Venezuela?

Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers kicks off at 5 p.m. ET on March 21. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado.

How to watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela for free

Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on SBS On Demand.

SBS On Demand is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming service with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can access free live streams on SBS On Demand from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Ecuador vs. Venezuela by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Australia

4. Visit SBS On Demand

5. Stream Ecuador vs. Venezuela for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select World Cup qualifiers before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for SBS On Demand?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on SBS On Demand, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Ecuador vs. Venezuela in World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifiers for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

England kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a home fixture against Albania. Fans will expect a win, but the real interest lies in how new manager Thomas Tuchel will set up his team. Could this be the start of a beautiful new era of success for England? Or will they fall just short again.

If you want to watch England vs. Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifiers for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Albania?

England vs. Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifiers starts at 7:45 p.m. GMT on March 21. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch England vs. Albania for free

England vs. Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifiers is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of England vs. Albania by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream England vs. Albania for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch England vs. Albania without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this game before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream England vs. Albania in 2026 World Cup qualifiers for free with ExpressVPN.

London's Heathrow Airport — one of the busiest destinations in the world — was completely shut down on Friday. There were zero flights in or out, which is almost unimaginable.

A fire broke out at a nearby electrical substation, which led to power issues at Heathrow and a complete closure of the airport. Some 1,300 flights were affected, NBC News reported.

Flightradar24, a site devoted to live-tracking flights, posted a graphic showing the stunning difference in flight volume from one day to the next. It's shocking to see no flights to Heathrow whatsoever.

👀 Flights in and out of London-Heathrow last week and today at 13:00 UTC.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 9:23 AM

The downstream effects of Heathrow's closure are likely to felt for some time. Its total closure is a massive wrench thrown into the global transportation system.

Today’s total closure of London-Heathrow will affect at least 1,351 flights to/from LHR. That doesn’t include any flights that might be canceled or delayed due to aircraft being out of position.

[image or embed]

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24.com) March 21, 2025 at 12:02 AM

Airport officials said its back-up power source worked as intended but it wasn't able to power the entire airport. It's unclear when things would get back to normal at Heathrow — but it may not be anytime soon.

“We expect significant disruption over the coming days, and passengers should not travel to the airport under any circumstances until the airport reopens,” the airport noted, according to the Associated Press. Heathrow's X account posted at about 4:15 p.m. local time that it hoped to "run a full operation tomorrow."

Hopefully that means far more flights on the graphic tomorrow.

SAVE $40: As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, at Amazon using the on-page $20 off coupon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier $49.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

If you keep a tidy house but don't have an air purifier somewhere, you're missing out on breathing ultra clean air. It can be a game-changer when it comes to allergy season or unexpected events such as wildfires. If you've been waiting for a great option that can do all that for you without breaking the bank, it's here at Amazon, and you can even save a bit more thanks to an on-page coupon.

As of March 21, get the GoveeLife Smart Air Purifier for $49.99, down from its usual price of $99.99, thanks to a 30% discount and an on-page coupon you can clip for an additional $20 off. Your discount will be added automatically.

SEE ALSO: Refresh your home with these early home deals ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale

This air purifier can clean up to 232 square feet of space in your home, and it activates five times an hour, so it can handle additional space as well, serving up cleaner air every 30 minutes. You can turn on its intelligent auto mode to adjust its air speed based on the condition of the air around it as well, so if you have air with more particles that need cleaning, it'll detect them and start to clean more or less based on the environment.

You can control the purifier's settings via app or voice, and it can also connect to any smart assistants in your home as well. And if you're ready to get some shut-eye, you can set it to sleep mode to keep from waking you up when it powers on. It's all about setting and forgetting, and at this price, it's a no-brainer.

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA), a national video game industry trade association, unveiled a new Accessible Games Initiative this week, intended to standardize information for players with disabilities and backed by major names in the world of gaming, including Electronic Arts (EA), Nintendo, and Ubisoft.

Announced at this year's Game Developers Conference, the accessibility initiative includes 24 new tags and associated criteria that elucidates in-game features or controls, helping players better understand if they'll be able to play a game before they buy. Examples include "clear text," "large and clear subtitles," and "narrated menus," which enable access for people who are blind or have low vision. Tags like "playable with buttons only," "playable without touch controls," and "stick inversion" are necessary for players with various motor skills.

According to the ESA, standardized tags will make it easier for players with disabilities to find and assess games with built-in accessibility features or assistive device compatibility, and even provide useful information for parents and teachers seeking out games for young children. Currently, game companies use their own in-house accessibility tags in marketplaces, when and if they are available.

SEE ALSO: DOGE and Musk's USAID shutdown probably violated the U.S. Constitution

“Tens of millions of Americans have a disability and often face barriers to experiencing the joy and connection that comes with playing video games,” said ESA president and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis in a press release. “This initiative demonstrates how impactful we can be when we work together in our industry-wide pursuit of helping more people experience the power of play.”

Industry giants Google, Microsoft, and Sony Interactive Entertainment, as well as recent sign-ons Amazon Games, Riot Games, Square Enix, and Warner Bros. Games have agreed to update their offerings with the new tagging system, as well.

Game accessibility has garnered more focused, industry-wide attention in recent years. In December, EA announced it would be expanding its Patent Pledge program, a commitment to providing royalty-free IP and accessible technology patents to developers without fear of infringement claims. "By making this technology available to others royalty-free, we want to encourage the industry to work together to make video games more inclusive by removing unintended barriers to access," wrote EA senior vice president Kerry Hopkins at the time.

Industry buy-in, however, is voluntary, and companies that have signed on to the Accessible Games Initiative, as well as the digital storefronts that carry their games, will release accessibility tags on their own timelines. Once tags are added, however, players will be able to spot them by an Accessible Games Initiative logo on the product listing — they are only available in English, for now.

SAVE $60: As of March 21, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 at Amazon for $339.99, down from $399.99. That's a 15% discount and a $60 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Tracking your steps with a smartphone isn’t always convenient or accurate. If you want to get serious about your health and fitness, investing in a high-quality smartwatch might be a good idea.

And right now, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 3 (45mm) for $339.99, down from $399.99, at Amazon. That’s a $60 discount and just $10 more than the lowest price we've seen for this particular model.

SEE ALSO: I tried on the new large Pixel Watch 3 and it's stunning — just beware of this one thing

The Google Pixel Watch 3 provides advanced fitness tracking via Fitbit, with heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and custom workouts to help you reach your goals. With 24 hours of battery life and a 40% larger screen than previous models, you can easily keep track of your stats all day long.

"Each morning, Morning Brief delivers a summary based on your health and workout metrics," Mashable's East Coast Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon writes in her review. "For example, you'll get a daily digest of how you slept, your readiness score (how prepared your body is for physical exercise), weekly exercise progress, heart-rate variability, breathing rate, and blood-oxygen level."

You can also take calls, send messages, and access your favorite apps right from your wrist. If you have a Nest Cam or Nest Doorbell, you can even check your feeds on the Pixel Watch's display.

SAVE UP TO 20%: As of March 21, Ruggable is hosting a sitewide spring sale that can net you up to 20% off their most popular styles. Just use code BLOOM at checkout to redeem the offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Ruggable Ruggable Spring Sale — save up to 20% Get Deal

Spring has finally sprung, and what better way to celebrate than to brighten up your living room with a brand-new rug? One that won't hang onto stains for dear life, is plush and bouncy, and most importantly, at least 15% off the original price.

If that sounds good to you, you'll want to check out the Spring Sale that popular rug brand, Ruggable, just launched. The sale gets you at least 15% off sitewide, and up to 20% off if you buy more than one. That's a decent deal, so might as well double up. Just use code BLOOM at checkout, and the discount is yours.

SEE ALSO: Need a robot vacuum that actually works on carpet? These 3 performed the best in my home.

What makes Ruggable special? It's mainly the fact that their rugs are completely machine-washable, meaning you won't have to get down on your hands and knees to start scrubbing when you come across a stain that's more set-in than usual. On top of that, they're also water- and stain-resistant, and totally interchangeable with their other rug covers as long as you're using a Ruggable pad. So, you can pick up a few styles and switch them up as you see fit — whatever makes the room feel right. Each rug comes in either a flatwoven or tufted style, so it's up to you if you'd rather a plush feel, or something that's more flush with the ground (which is better for areas with higher foot traffic). Don't miss out on Ruggable's Spring Sale — use code BLOOM at checkout and score up to 20% off your purchase.

SAVE $107: As of March 21, get the Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) for $592.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's 15% off.

Opens in a new window Credit: Asus Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) $592.99 at Best Buy
$699.99 Save $107 Get Deal

Chromebooks are an excellent option if you need a laptop that's zippy enough to handle multiple demands on the go. A phone or tablet can get you through a few tasks, but a Chromebook can handle just about anything. They aren't all built the same though, of course, so if you have an extensive workload, you need something that can help you tackle more. That's what you get with this particular model that's on sale at Best Buy.

As of March 21, get the Asus Expertbook CX54 Chromebook (Intel Core Ultra 5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) for $592.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $107 off its usual price, or a discount of 15%.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale — it's all about MacBooks so far

This Chromebook is a more business-oriented option that packs an Intel Core Ultra 5 chip with Intel graphics, 8GB of RAM, a 14-inch screen, and 128GB SSD to handle all your files. Its crisp screen packs a 2560 x 1600 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, so no matter whether you're creating a PowerPoint presentation or working on word documents, you'll be looking at a lush screen.

If you're interested in leveraging the power of AI with Google Gemini, this laptop is capable of doing that as well, with an additional free 12 months of Google One AI Premium with your purchase at Best Buy as well. And at just 2.87 pounds and 0.67 inches thick, it's portable enough that you can slip it into a bag and go without having to worry about being weighed down.

It's a great laptop for a discounted rate, so grab yours before it goes out of stock.

The best streaming deals to watch 'Wicked' at a glance: BEST NON-STREAMING OPTION Buy 'Wicked' on Prime Video $19.99 Get Deal BEST FOR MOST PEOPLE Peacock Premium yearly subscription $79.99/year (save 17%) Get Deal BEST FOR STUDENTS Peacock Premium for Students $2.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal BEST FOR FIRST RESPONDERS/MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR MILITARY Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $3.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR TEACHERS Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for 12 months (save $4/month) Get Deal BEST FOR INSTACART USERS Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $79.99/year) Get Deal BEST FOR JETBLUE TRUEBLUE MEMBERS Peacock Premium Free for one year for Mosaic status members (save $79.99/year) Get Deal

It's been over a year since the Wicked press (and subsequent memes) began, but only a few months since it finally made its theatrical debut. As a late Christmas present, the highly acclaimed film made its at-home launch on digital and now it's officially made its anticipated streaming debut.

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star as the green-skinned, magically gifted Elphaba and her pink-loving polar opposite bestie Glinda. The stage show's lyricist, Stephen Schwartz, and playwright Winnie Holzman joined forces on the screenplay, while Jon M. Chu directed (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights). It also stars Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Academy Award-winner Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and the Jeff Goldblum. There are also some very noteworthy cameos.

The film adaptation of the classic 2003 Broadway musical starring Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth has already proven popular among audiences — bringing in $727 million worldwide and over $472 million domestically. We can only expect Wicked to soar even further with its small-screen streaming debut.

Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Wicked at home this season.

What is Wicked: Part 1 about?

Wicked is an adaptation of the Tony award-winning Broadway musical of the same name, which opened in 2003. The play itself is also an adaptation of Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which is basically a prequel to L. Frank Baum's original novel The Wizard of Oz (as well as the iconic film from 1939). It tells the backstory of the green-skinned, misunderstood Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, as well as the popular and privileged Glinda the Good. The two witches meet as students at Shiz University in the Land of Oz and embark on a journey from loathing to an unexpectedly deep friendship. Part one of the two-part Wicked saga ultimately questions, "Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them?"

Check out the full trailer for a more in-depth sneak peek:

Is Wicked worth watching?

Wicked: Part 1 set a new record for the biggest opening for a movie based on a Broadway show ever, grossing $472 million domestically to date. It's not perfect, but it's been largely well received by audiences and critics alike, currently sitting at an 88 percent critic rating and 95 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It's earned four Golden Globes nominations (one win), five SAG award nominations, seven BAFTA nominations (two wins), and 10 Oscar nods.

Mashable's film editor Kristy Puchko called it "wonky, but at times wonderful," noting that some of the cinematic choices by director Jon M. Chu drag it down. "Chu's decision to turn Act 1 into a teen musical is marred by his dingy color palette, the crowded cinematography of Shiz (thankfully, things open up in the Emerald City), and directing his leading lady to play the titular witch as chiefly woeful. A show heralded for its high-energy song numbers, stage spectacle, and smirking sense of humor, Wicked is malformed by these choices. Yet, some sections are sure to have audiences cheering," she writes.

Check out our full review of Wicked: Part 1.

How to watch Wicked at home Credit: Universal Pictures

Wicked made its at-home debut on major digital platforms (Prime Video, Apple TV+, etc.) on Dec. 31, 2024. The film is available to buy for $19.99 and comes with loads of bonus content to enjoy alongside the film itself — including a singalong version, deleted and extended scenes, feature commentary, and a 40-minute journey through Oz.

It became available to rent as of March 4. Keep in mind that with rentals, you'll only get 30 days to watch the film and just 48 hours to finish it once you start it. If you'd rather stream Wicked instead, keep on scrolling for more information.

Here are some quick links to rent or purchase Wicked:

• Prime Video — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Apple TV+ — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Fandango at Home — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• Microsoft — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

• YouTube — buy for $19.99, rent for $5.99

When and where will Wicked be streaming?

As a Universal Pictures film, we knew that Wicked would make its streaming debut on Peacock, the streaming service owned by NBCUniversal. The only question was when. Well, we're thrilled to announce that the critically acclaimed musical movie officially made its streaming debut on March 21, 2025.

We previously made an educated guess (based on past Universal Pictures releases Twisters and The Fall Guy) that the film would be available on or around March 31. So, we're actually getting to stream it a little earlier than anticipated. Hooray!

The sing-along version of Wicked will also stream exclusively on Peacock the same day, as well as a full collection of bonus content for mega fans. Don't have a Peacock subscription? You can sign up for $7.99 per month with ads or $13.99 per month without ads. But before you jump the gun, be sure to check out the best ways to save money on a subscription below.

The best Peacock streaming dealsBest long-term Peacock deal Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $79.99 per year or $139.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal

If you commit to Peacock long-term and pay for a year upfront, it'll save you about 17% over a monthly subscription. An annual subscription goes for $79.99 per year with ads or $139.99 per year without, which is essentially 12 months of streaming for the price of 10. Comparatively, a monthly subscription will run you $7.99 per month ($95.88 per year) or $13.99 per month ($167.88 per year).

Best Peacock deal for Xfinity customers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / Xfinity Peacock Premium Free for select Xfinity customers Learn More

Select Xfinity customers can score a Peacock subscription for no extra cost. Here's a breakdown of who is eligible:

• Xfinity Internet users on the Gigabit or Gigabit+ plans can get Peacock Premium (with ads) for two years (offer ends June 25, 2025) for free.

• Xfinity Internet customers who are Diamond or Platinum Xfinity Rewards members can get Peacock Premium for free by redeeming a reward for it. Sign in at xfinity.com/rewards and choose Peacock as a reward. Then, wait for your email (it may take a few hours) with instructions on activating the offer.

• NOW TV customers can also receive Peacock Premium as part of their service.

• New customers with Xfinity Internet and an X1 TV Box, Flex streaming TV Box, or a Xumo Stream Box from Xfinity can get Peacock Premium for free for six months.

Best Peacock deal for students Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Students $2.99 per month for one year Get Deal

College students with a verifiable student email can snag a Peacock Premium subscription for just $2.99 per month for an entire year. Just prove your student status through SheerID and you'll receive a unique promo code to secure the discount. The discount code can only be used once, so don't go sharing it with all of your friends!

Best Peacock deal for first responders Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $3.99 per month Get Deal

First responders and medical professionals can also score Peacock Premium for just $3.99 per month, so long as they can verify their first responder status via SheerID. Sign up using the unique promo code you receive and the price will drop down to $3.99 per month. First responders and medical professionals who continue to meet verification qualifications can renew the deal annually. You'll just have to go through the process each time to receive a new promo code and secure the discount year after year. Learn more about eligibility terms and requirements.

Best for active military and veterans Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Military $3.99 per month Get Deal

Active duty U.S. military service members, Reservists, National Guard members, veterans, or U.S. military retirees can sign up for Peacock Premium for $3.99 per month instead of the usual $7.99 per month. As with the previous deals, you'll have to prove your military status using SheerID and retrieve a promotional code to activate the offer. Eligible military personnel who continue to meet requirements are able to redeem the deal annually.

Best for teachers Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium for Teachers $3.99/month for 12 months Get Deal

Teachers get a bite of Peacock Premium savings as well. Just verify your educator status with SheerID. Once verified, you'll receive a unique promo code that may only be used once for a Premium subscription for just $3.99 per month for one year. Once the promotional period ends, you'll be charged full price, so be sure to cancel before the year is up.

Best for Instacart users Opens in a new window Credit: Instacart / Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $79.99/year) Get Deal

Peacock and Instacart partnered up last year to offer paid Instacart+ members a free Peacock Premium subscription. That's a $79.99 per year value for zero dollars. An Instacart+ account costs you $99.99 per year and includes free grocery delivery on orders over $35, lower fees, and credit back on eligible pickup orders, among other perks. Plus, the best part is that you get a two-week free trial to test things out. Definitely grab this freebie if you haven't yet.

Best for JetBlue members Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock / JetBlue Peacock Premium Free for one year for Mosaic status members Get Deal

Through July 2025, JetBlue TrueBlue members can earn 1,000 free TrueBlue points when they sign up for Peacock. If you have Mosaic status, you can get your first year of Peacock Premium for free (a $79.99 value). Read more about eligibility and terms over on Peacock's special offer page.

Check out the best Amazon deals of the day as of March 21: OUR TOP PICK Garmin vívoactive 5 $209 (save $90.99) Get Deal BEST SPEAKER DEAL Beats Pill $99.95 (save $50) Get Deal BEST HOME DEAL Shark IZ163H Pet Plus Cordless Vacuum $199.99 (save $100) Get Deal RUNNER-UP SMARTWATCH DEAL Google Pixel Watch 3 $339.99 (save $60) Get Deal BEST EARBUDS DEAL Anker Sondcore P20i earbuds $19.99 (save $20 with on-page coupon) Get Deal

The Amazon Big Spring Sale officially kicks off next week (running from March 25 through 31), which means there are already plenty of deals floating around. If you're looking to do a little retail therapy heading into the weekend, we've rounded up a few of the best deals we could find that are already live at Amazon as of March 21.

Here are our top picks for the best Amazon deals of the day. If none of these are appealing to you, be sure to check out our picks from March 19 and 20. Many of those deals are still live, including a record low price on the Google Pixel 9 Pro and DJI Osmo Action 4.

Our top pick: Garmin vívoactive 5 Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 5 $209 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $90.99 Get Deal

There's no denying that Garmin makes some of the best smartwatches on the market. While we haven't personally tested the latest vívoactive 5, we spent some time with its predecessor and were huge fans. "The vívoactive 4 is an excellent smartwatch for active people wanting to be more in tune with their bodies, and for less active individuals who have the desire but need a little nudging to stick to their goals," our reviewer writes. The newer iteration upgrades the AMOLED display, improves the heart rate sensor, enhances sleep and stress coaching, and adds even more sports apps. While it's regularly $299.99, it's on sale for just $209 in the ivory shade as of March 21. That's 30% in savings. Want another color? The black, navy, and orchid options are also on sale for $219.99.

Beats Pill Opens in a new window Credit: Beats Beats Pill $99.95 at Amazon
$149.95 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Beats upgraded its Bluetooth speaker last year, addressing many of its predecessor's downfalls. The new Beats Pill boasts angled drivers, hefty bass, a capable speakerphone, waterproof design, and a lengthy 24-hour battery life. As per our sister site PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis): "The durable, feature-rich, and stylish Beats Pill speaker delivers impressive bass for its size and costs much less than the original." It's usually $149.95, but you can snag it in black, champagne, or red for only $99.95 as of March 21. That's 33% in savings.

Shark IZ163H Pet Plus Opens in a new window Credit: Shark Shark IZ163H Pet Plus cordless vacuum $199.99 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $100 Get Deal

The Shark IZ163H Pet Plus is designed to help you keep pet hair at bay, and it's on sale for only $199.99 at Amazon as of March 21. That's 33% in savings and matches its best price ever. It features a self-cleaning brushroll, HEPA filter and anti-allergen complete seal, 40-minute battery life, and a multi-flex wand to help you deep clean pet hair from any angle. Plus, its cordless design lets you convert it into a hand vac to tackle any hard-to-reach spots.

Google Pixel Watch 3 Opens in a new window Credit: Google Google Pixel Watch 3 $339.99 at Amazon
$399.99 Save $60 Get Deal

Released at the 2024 Made by Google event, the Google Pixel Watch 3 added some potentially life-saving features. Some of those include loss of pulse detection and the ability to call 911. It also improved heart rate tracking accuracy, added more advanced running features, and upgraded the design with smaller bezels (more screen real estate) and a brighter display. As of March 21, you can get the 45mm option with WiFi for just $339.99 instead of $399.99. That's 15% in savings.

Anker Soundcore P20i Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore P20i earbuds $19.99 at Amazon
$39.99 Save $20.00 with on-page coupon Get Deal

Need to replace your lost or broken earbuds, but don't want to spend a fortune? Our favorite budget earbuds, the Soundcore P20is, are down to just $19.99 at Amazon as of March 21 (with an on-page coupon). That's half of their usual cost. We're shocked at how impressive these buds are for the price. Thanks to equalizer presets on the companion app, they can produce the kind of well-rounded sound you'd expect from earbuds three times the price. Not to mention, their battery life outshines the AirPods at 10 hours per charge. You can even set up to three touch controls on each earbud and locate them using a "find device" feature.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $300: As of March 21, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's a discount of 43%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop $399.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $300 Get Deal

Tired of spending time vacuuming and mopping up all the dirty areas in your home? You and everyone else. Why not delegate all that work out to robotos so you can sit back and relax on the couch? You can do that at a discount with a great robot vacuum and mop that can handle all those tasks for you while saving money thanks to this Amazon deal.

As of March 21, get the Eufy Omni C20 robot vacuum and mop for $399.99, down from its usual price of $699.99. That's $300 off and a discount of 43%.

This all-in-one cleaning station can tackle both vacuuming and mopping. It can power through dirt and caked-in grime in your carpet and hardwood floors as well as mop your floors to get rid of all of those pesky messes elsewhere. It can even dry the floor that it's mopped, with 180 rotations per minute and dual sweeping and mopping modules for simultaneous cleaning that can improve its approach, meaning you don't have to work as hard.

There's also a roller brush that rotates forward and in reverse to detangle and loosen tangled hair so that you can get through those rough spots in your carpet, be it human or pet hair, and get your carpet much cleaner than a simple run-through with a regular vacuum. Plus, set up cleaning paths, scheduling, and other options via the included app.

So if you're tired of doing all the cleaning work, it's time to leave some of it for the machines, while saving some serious cash at the same time.

A federal lawsuit was filed on Wednesday accusing Apple of false advertising with regards to its suite of Apple Intelligence features.

The lawsuit is seeking class-action status with financial damages for users who may have purchased newer Apple devices hoping to use Apple Intelligence features that aren't actually out yet, Axios reports.

SEE ALSO: The 33 best Apple TV+ shows, ranked

The substance of the lawsuit is that Apple has advertised certain Apple Intelligence features that either weren't available at the time of advertisement, or still aren't available now.

One notable example is the newer, more intelligent version of Siri, which was heavily advertised on TV last year with a commercial starring Bella Ramsey of The Last of Us fame. Those Siri features, which include more personalized interactions, are still not available.

Apple has since pulled that particular ad, but whoever filed this lawsuit must believe the damage is already done. This could go nowhere, or could it eventually result in you getting a check in the mail for $7. Only time will tell.

SAVE $20: As of March 21, you can get a Keurig K-Express single-serve coffee maker for $69.99 at Amazon. That's a 22% discount and a $20 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Keurig Keurig K-Express single serve coffee maker $69.99 at Amazon
$89.99 Save $20 Get Deal

If coffee’s the first thing on your mind in the morning, having a single-serve coffee maker could be a smart investment. Traditional coffee pots are nice (especially when that oh-so-good coffee smell is wafting around the kitchen), but if you’re in a hurry and need a quick cup, a single-serve machine can be a lifesaver.

And right now, you can get the Keurig K-Express single serve coffee maker for just $69.99 at Amazon. That’s a 22% discount and $20 off the list price.

SEE ALSO: The best coffee machines for modern kitchens

The Keurig K-Express can brew 8-, 10-, or 12-ounce cup sizes in under a minute. There’s also room to fit a travel mug under the spout, so you can fill up and head out. Plus, the 42-ounce removable water reservoir means you can brew about four cups before needing a refill.

For those who prefer a bolder taste, there’s a “strong brew” button, and it takes K-Cup pods, so you have a wide variety of roasts and flavors to choose from. If you’re not into K-Cups (for whatever reason), Keurig also sells a reusable filter cup that lets you use your own ground coffee.

GET $10: As of March 21, Best Buy is offering a free $10 gift card when you preorder Elden Ring Nightreign.

Opens in a new window Credit: Bandai Namco 'Elden Ring Nightreign' + $10 Best Buy gift card $39.99 at Best Buy
Get Deal

If you're like us and are literally foaming at the mouth for more Elden Ring, you've most likely already accepted that you're going to buy Elden Ring Nightreign on day one. May we suggest buying it even earlier, though?

We say this because Best Buy is generously offering a free $10 gift card to those who preorder Elden Ring Nightreign on their site. That's it; no strings attached. We love saving money on games, but we love it even more when we can save on a huge title that isn't even out yet.

SEE ALSO: Why 'Elden Ring' will (or won't) get you into 'Souls' games

Elden Ring Nightreign is a transformative take on the Elden Ring formula that sees players team up with other fellow tarnished to fight challenging enemies within the structure of a roguelike game. Each area of the game is procedurally generated and features a time-limited, shrinking battle arena à la Fortnite that — in true From Software fashion — all culminates in a big boss battle. While there's a single-player mode that you can jump into with one of the game's eight premade characters, the co-op title is meant to be experienced with a full squad of three. Elden Ring Nightreign officialy releases on May 30, 2025, so get your preorder in now!

SAVE $5: As of March 21, you can get an Apple AirTag for just $24 at Amazon. That's a 17% discount and a $5 price cut.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple AirTag $24 at Amazon
$29 Save $5 Get Deal

If you've ever lost your keys while in a rush or misplaced your wallet when it mattered most, you might want to consider a backup plan to help recover your valuables — especially if you’re a frequent flyer.

Enter: the Apple AirTag. At just $24 (they’re 17% off at Amazon right now) per tag, this little gadget could mean the difference between panic and peace of mind.

SEE ALSO: I tried the AirTag alternative for wallets, and these are my thoughts

Apple AirTags work by Bluetooth to connect to the massive Find My network, which includes over a million active Apple devices. This lets you find your lost items with the tap of a button on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. You can even share the location of your item with a third party, like a friend, family member, or an airline, to make the search easier. It also has a built-in speaker that’ll play a little chime when you’re getting close.

The battery lasts about one year, the device is IP67 water and dust-resistant, and you can attach it to just about anything. I snapped one to my dogs’ harness in case one of them escapes the fence.

At $24, you really can’t beat the value.

Rebellion Studios’ Atomfall is a step in the right direction as we (hopefully) near the end of an era where every big-budget RPG feels like a 60-to-80-hour commitment. After Assassin’s Creed Valhalla pushed the boundaries of just how much game a game could have — and not necessarily for the better — it’s refreshing to see an action RPG that actually lets you slow down, take a breath, and just exist in its world for a minute.

Rather than drowning you in an endless sea of map markers, side quests, and fetch missions that feel more like a to-do list than an adventure, Atomfall offers something different. It’s a game that trusts you to explore at your own pace rather than constantly screaming at you to engage with yet another system or mechanic. That’s a rare thing in 2025.

SEE ALSO: 'Assassin's Creed Shadows' is the best one in years, sometimes in spite of itself

Yet while Atomfall never overstays its welcome, there’s still a part of me caught between seeing its simplicity as an element that allows it to shine, or as a weakness.

Warning: There are minor story spoilers ahead.

Welcome to Cumbria Credit: Rebellion Studios

Atomfall is an action-survival RPG set in 1960s Northern England, five years after the real-life Windscale nuclear disaster — one of the worst in history. UK-based Rebellion Studios takes that tragedy and twists it into an eerie, fictionalized quarantine zone where no one gets in or out.

You step into the shoes of a nameless, silent protagonist who wakes up in a mysterious bunker with no memory of who you are or how you got there. Your only objective? Find the Interchange — a secret research facility run by the British Atomic Research Division (B.A.R.D). Along the way, you’ll cross paths with all kinds of groups: ruthless outlaws, fractured military units, fanatical druids, and villagers doing their best to pretend that everything’s just fine. Oh, and there's the mysterious voice that talks to you through red telephone boxes.

A mysterous voice calls to you and it sounds like Count Orlock. Credit: Rebellion Studios

All of this unfolds against the backdrop of a hauntingly beautiful rural county of Cumbria.

Unlike most RPGs, Atomfall ditches the usual objective-based quest structure in favor of its unique "Leads" system. Instead of waypoints and a checklist telling you exactly where to go, you piece together your next steps through conversations with NPCs, scattered letters, and old cassette tapes found throughout the quarantine zone. There’s no omniscient map marker holding your hand — just the clues you’ve gathered and whatever notes you decide to take. That said, you can manually place compass markers to help keep track of potential points of interest.

It’s a refreshingly intuitive approach to immersive storytelling that more games should experiment with. Elden Ring and Dark Souls employ something similar, but in a way that’s deliberately cryptic — hiding lore in item descriptions and letting players fill in the blanks. Atomfall, on the other hand, makes its world feel more organic, turning every discovery into a genuine "aha" moment rather than just another step on a to-do list.

Credit: Rebellion Studios

For example, when reaching Wyndham Village — currently under occupation by The Protocol, the initial quarantine military units sent in that got left behind — I was stopped at the gate and told to speak with Captain Sims, a man with a keen interest in outsiders. Sims, suspicious of anyone who manages to wander into the zone, offers me information if I agree to do a little reconnaissance for him. He wants to know if any of the villagers are up to something shady — because, beyond just playing Big Brother, he’s got reason to worry. It turns out that, after the disaster, a significant number of villagers ran off into the woods and started a cult.

This set me off on a round of conversations with the town’s key figures: the barkeep, the baker, the priest, and the general store owner. Each of them had their own skeletons in the closet — secrets they were hiding from Protocol. From there, I had a choice. I could either rat them out to Sims or help them in their struggles, playing the long game in a town built on paranoia.

It’s moments like this that Atomfall does well, but overall, the story isn’t much to write home about. While the Leads system is certainly unique in presentation, at the end of the day, it’s still just a standard quest structure — except now, you’re piecing things together on your own instead of following a flashing objective marker.

And when it comes to the game’s six possible endings, the setup starts to feel a little formulaic. Every NPC who offers you an escape route from the zone follows the same basic pattern: two main missions, then a final choice involving the Interchange — the mysterious B.A.R.D facility at the heart of it all. Do you destroy what’s inside? Or do you use it to further someone else's objective? Or you can say screw it, go full chaos mode, and wipe out every NPC in the game. It’s entirely possible — and honestly, it's a blast.

Atomfall really wants to hammer home the idea of trust in desperate circumstances, but it isn’t exactly subtle about it. Some characters start off friendly, but the moment you gain their trust and follow their direction, it’s as if a switch flips — you can immediately tell you’re being railroaded into a "bad" ending. Across my 25-hour playthrough on PlayStation 5, I saw four of the six possible conclusions, and none of them felt particularly satisfying.

Worse yet, the game seems weirdly disconnected from its own mechanics. Despite its fast-paced, action-heavy combat — where nearly every enemy attacks on sight — the endgame slides had the nerve to chastise me for “choosing a violent path.” Huh? What game were you watching?

At the end of the day, Atomfall’s Leads system is a great idea with plenty of potential, but its execution leaves a lot to be desired. There’s something there, but it just doesn’t quite stick the landing.

What's it going to be then eh? Credit: Rebellion Studios

Despite Atomfall giving off some serious Fallout vibes, don’t be fooled — this isn’t a Bethesda-style RPG. It leans far more into action than survival, with only a sprinkle of RPG elements. Everything from combat to crafting to NPC interactions feels lighter and less complex compared to games like Fallout or S.T.A.L.K.E.R.

And honestly? That’s okay.

That said, Atomfall’s combat feels very much in line with modern shooters. Guns are heavy, realistic, and come with a hefty dose of recoil, while melee combat is slow, weighty, and brutally visceral. The game also introduces a heart rate (stamina) system, where high-energy actions like sprinting, jumping, or fighting affect your ability to aim or land heavy melee strikes. Managing this system adds an extra layer of tension, forcing you to think before you rush into combat.

Your arsenal consists of classic "roadman" weaponry — knives, police truncheons, and even a good old-fashioned cricket bat. You can also use the controller triggers to kick enemies back, keeping them at a proper distance when things get too close for comfort. But enemy variety? Pretty thin. You’re basically dealing with four types: ranged enemies, melee enemies, and two kinds of giant robots — one with a minigun and another with a flamethrower. And that’s about it. Oh, and the rats. Fuck the rats.

Credit: Rebellion Studios

For ranged weapons, you have your four standard categories: rifles, pistols, shotguns, and SMGs. Each type has about two or three variations that you can loot from enemies or stumble upon in the world. And, of course, there’s the trusty bow and arrow, because no survival game is complete without one.

Oddly, you can’t craft arrows or ammunition, which feels like an oversight in a game that leans into survival elements. However, you will be scavenging for cloth, herbs, gunpowder, gun oil, and alcohol to craft healing items, potions, and throwable explosives.

Stingy bastard. Credit: Rebellion Studios

Then there are the consumables, which lean heavily into the UK’s famously thrilling cuisine. You can drink tea to slow your heart rate, or chow down on tomatoes, potatoes, cake, and tins of meat — fully immersing yourself in the reality of just how bland the British diet can be.

Instead of a traditional currency system, Atomfall goes full bartering mode. Traders don’t deal in cash; instead, they judge your trade based on item value, with a simple indicator showing how fair the exchange is. Each trader has their own priorities — if someone has a stockpile of bandages, they aren't going to care much if you try to offload more. But if you’re offering something rarer, like a good weapon or food, they’ll be more willing to cut a deal.

Exploring the Quarantine Zone A qurantine inside a quarantine. Credit: Rebellion Studios

If the idea of wandering through a radiation-soaked wasteland born from a catastrophic scientific failure feels familiar, that’s because it is. Plenty of games have tackled the "post-disaster exclusion zone" concept before, and Atomfall fits right into that tradition. In many ways, it shares a lot of DNA with Pacific Drive, the 2024 survival game about navigating an anomalous Pacific Northwest in a barely functioning car. But where Pacific Drive had procedurally generated areas, Atomfall trades that for four distinct regions of Cumbria — ones you’ll be tediously backtracking through over and over again.

Players will find themselves scouring every inch of Wyndham Village, Slatten Dale, Skettermoor, and Casterfell Woods. Minus the village (if you're a good boy), each area is controlled by a different faction, and they all attack on sight. The areas themselves aren’t particularly massive — you can walk from one end to the other in about five to 10 minutes — but actually reaching your objectives can feel like a bit of a slog. Thanks to the Leads system, you’ll inevitably find yourself bumbling into locations you weren’t supposed to reach yet, which can be either exciting or frustrating, depending on how well-equipped you are at the time.

True to its survival-lite approach, Atomfall keeps resources — especially ammo — scarce. You’re never stocked up enough to just go in guns blazing, which encourages stealth and precise shot placement to avoid getting swarmed by the game’s surprisingly large enemy patrols and encampments. However, the stealth system is barebones at best, and enemy AI is so painfully dumb that you can often clear out an entire camp without much effort.

That being said, Atomfall’s world is genuinely beautiful in that eerie, “nature reclaiming civilization” kind of way. Wyndham Village has all the hallmarks of a quaint post-war township now caught in an unsettling limbo. Casterfell Woods is dense and foreboding, packed with towering trees and strange creatures lurking in the shadows. Slatten Dale, a hilly, industrial landscape, revolves around its abandoned mine and quarry. And then there’s Skettermoor — once-picturesque farmland now reduced to scorched earth, patrolled by trigger-happy soldiers looking for an excuse to shoot first and ask questions never.

Nothing fundamentally changes if you don't upgrade your skills. Credit: Rebellion Studios

Atomfall’s RPG elements are about as light as they come. There’s a simple skill tree that gradually unlocks as you find training manuals scattered throughout the world — either bought from traders or hidden in specific locations. The placement of these manuals adds some great environmental storytelling, like finding a bow mastery manual in an abandoned castle’s archery camp or a combat training manual from a former soldier-turned-merchant in Skettermoor. That said, if traders don’t have them, they can be obscenely hard to find, and you don’t really need them to complete the game.

You can also collect skill points from B.A.R.D crates found in bunkers across the map. The skills themselves? Basic RPG fare — damage buffs, poison resistance, faster looting. Nothing groundbreaking, but enough to give you a slight edge.

At its core, Atomfall presents itself as a deep, complex experience, but the longer you play, the more you realize it’s a fairly casual adventure dressed up in survival-horror aesthetics. That said, credit where it’s due — technically, the game runs impressively smooth for a 2025 release, with few noticeable bugs or performance hiccups. And in an era where broken day-one launches are the norm, that alone feels worth celebrating.

Is Atomfall worth it? Credit: Rebellion Studios

Atomfall is one of those games that feels like it’s on the verge of being something special but never quite gets there. It has a strong identity — a post-apocalyptic adventure wrapped in eerie British folklore, with a heavy dose of survival mechanics and a unique quest system — but its execution is often at odds with its ambitions.

The Leads system is an intriguing alternative to traditional quest markers, allowing for organic discovery and player-driven exploration. However, at the end of the day, it still boils down to standard RPG quest structures. You’re just piecing together objectives through notes and conversations instead of being explicitly told where to go. It’s immersive, sure, but also frustrating when backtracking through the game’s small yet tedious world.

Where Atomfall does shine is in its atmosphere. The environments are beautifully crafted, from the eerie, cult-infested Casterfell Woods to the scorched farmland of Skettermoor. The game leans into its setting with immersive environmental storytelling, and it’s refreshing to see a post-apocalyptic world that doesn’t just look like a generic wasteland. It also runs remarkably well, with few technical issues — something that feels increasingly rare in modern game releases.

If you’re looking for an RPG-lite survival experience with immersive exploration, tense combat, and a uniquely British setting, then Atomfall offers enough to be enjoyable — especially if you go in knowing its limitations. However, if you’re expecting deep RPG mechanics, intricate storytelling, or a truly open-ended experience, you may walk away underwhelmed. It’s a game with a lot of great ideas, but it never fully commits to any of them. As a mid-tier survival-action RPG, it’s solid. Is this the next Fallout or S.T.A.L.K.E.R.? Not quite.

Atomfall arrives March 27 on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X/S, and PC.

For more Mashable game reviews, check out our OpenCritic page.