Atomic Heart is finally here after years of development and lots of controversies. This ambitious shooter by Mundfish sets itself in a unique, alternate version of Soviet history. The big question is: does it live up to the hype?
The game’s world is a mix of futuristic technology and Soviet-style utopia, where humans and machines live in harmony—at least for a while. Things quickly go wrong when politics and human egos disrupt this so-called utopia. Suddenly, peaceful robots turn violent, attacking and killing most of the population.
You play as P-3, a special agent with extraordinary powers thanks to a talking glove named Charles. Your mission? Clean up the mess before Soviet officials arrive. This mostly means fighting off robots in a world that’s visually stunning but full of chaos.
Storyline and Humor
The story doesn’t just focus on saving humanity—it’s also a satire. Your main job is to prevent bad press for the Soviet regime, which creates a darkly humorous narrative.
P-3 is a loyal yet skeptical agent who constantly questions his role while exchanging witty remarks with Charles. Their dynamic adds humor to an otherwise grim situation.
Stunning Visuals and Unique Robots
Atomic Heart’s world is visually breathtaking. The design combines old Soviet architecture with futuristic elements, creating a one-of-a-kind setting.
The robots are especially memorable, ranging from humanoid units to creepy hybrid designs. They maintain a quirky, unsettling vibe that matches the game’s tone perfectly.
Combat System: Creative and Flexible
Combat in Atomic Heart feels fresh and engaging. The game offers a variety of weapons and abilities, allowing you to experiment with different strategies. It borrows heavily from Bioshock, especially with its Polymer system, which fuels upgrades, abilities, and consumables.
Abilities like freezing enemies with a cryo mod or stunning them with an electro spark make fights exciting. You can only equip two abilities at a time, encouraging players to develop their style.
However, combat isn’t always smooth. Open-world battles can quickly spiral out of control, especially when ammo runs low. Stealth isn’t much help either, as being spotted often leads to unavoidable chaos.
Puzzles and Exploration
Atomic Heartbreaks up the intense action with puzzles and exploration. These puzzles often span multiple rooms and require logic, shooting, and platforming skills. While not overly difficult, they add variety and a refreshing change of pace from combat-heavy sections.
The Downsides
Despite its strengths, the game isn’t without flaws. Stealth feels ineffective in most situations, and outdoor combat can become overwhelming. Additionally, some fetch quests and repetitive objectives slow down the pacing.
Final Verdict
Atomic Heart may not be perfect, but it’s a visually stunning and engaging shooter with plenty of creativity. It delivers an interesting mix of combat, humor, and exploration, making it worth a try for fans of action-packed games.
