It’s not long into 2023, and the big games just seem to keep coming. So much so, it’s been hard to keep up with the current release schedule. On the 21st of February, developer Mundfish (via publishers Focus Entertainment) gave us the crazy alternate history-based FPS action adventure game Atomic Heart. Releasing on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S (also available on Game Pass from release), it’s had plenty of talking points before and after release. I’ve completed the story and am happy to share my thoughts. Strap in, as this one has a few turns.
Although the game is an FPS, you’ll also get a few RPG elements. This is all while you explore the beautifully made alternate history of 1955 Russia and the Soviet Union. You play as agent P-3, a war vet with a hell of a lot of issues and very little memory. The story is pretty hard to keep track of but it starts with P-3 assisting with the further roll-out of “Kollektiv”. This programme was created by scientist Dmitry Sechenov 19 years earlier and links robots to improve them. Although Kolletiv 1.0 has been in place for quite some time, this is 2.0 and lets humans remotely interface with robots.
Are you still with me? Told you it was a little out there.
Most of the game occurs on Facility 3826, a scientific research hub crawling with robots, with linear indoor sections and an outdoor open world to explore. When the robots start to attack P-3, you’ll investigate why and who is behind the attack from the once-friendly robots. From here, the story will point fingers in a couple of characters’ directions, and it’s up to you to investigate and work out specifically what’s going on.
Starting off with the good, Atomic Heart can be a fantastic-looking game. The opening scene of the main character travelling down a canal really showcases this to considerable effect. It’s the best-looking Ray Tracing scene I’ve seen this year….but it’s not Ray Tracing. Although this game was marketed as having this feature, it’s not present as of yet. This isn’t something that’s only on a particular platform; it’s nowhere. Although Mundfish has confirmed it will come later, I’m not actually sure it needs it due to the original level of presentation.
I have noticed issues with specific enemy animations, where those in the distance are running at a much lower FPS than those in your immediate view. Not everyone will see this, but if you have a keen eye for detail, it can be distracting and ruin some of the overall excellent presentation on offer.
Although I played on PC, most console players seem to have the same impression. The game already looks great, and the performance is also quite good. It could be better, however, and one flaw on PC, at least, is the game’s use of FSR 1.0 rather than 2.0. This can sometimes create a somewhat blurry image, and anyone with an older set-up should avoid FSR until it’s updated to 2.0 (another feature said to be in the works). Overall I’m still hugely impressed by what the developer has managed to produce on their first game.
Running at Ultra settings on PC, performance has been excellent, with only extremely busy screens lowering the frames from 120fps locked. When I briefly tried the game on Xbox Series X again, there were no significant issues and only minor drops during the busier sections of the game.
Moving on to gameplay, there is more than a hint of influence from Bioshock. That’s definitely not a bad thing, but combat will feel more weighted and slower than most other FPS games you’ve played recently. It’s quite the change to something like COD or Apex. You’ll switch between gunplay and melee combat, and for the first time in a long time, I’ve found myself favouring melee. This means getting up close and personal with multiple enemies and putting you in danger of being overwhelmed. It’s a real risk-and-reward gameplay loop that I loved throughout.
As well as gunplay and melee, you also have abilities that can be upgraded. Mass Telekinesis and Shok were my go-to’s, but there are a few more that can be used. As you upgrade your abilities, you’ll get better at handling more extensive groups of enemies, which makes quite the difference as you progress. As well as upgrading abilities, you can find upgrades to your weapons as you search cupboards, filing cabinets and chests that are all over the map. These make sure weapons reload faster, hit harder and become more impressive.
If you want all the upgrades, you’ll need to spend the time fully exploring Facility 3826, which, although beautiful, can be a bit of a slog. I was a fair bit through my playthrough before I even realised I could jump in a car to traverse the map (vehicle controls are average at best). This will take your playtime from around 15 hours for just the main story all the way to closer to 34 hours for a completionist run. I’ve completed the main story, but I’m not sure I’ll be looking to revisit it as my travel between the main hubs of the game has become a drag.
I like the shooting and melee, but I do have issues with a few of the other control elements of the game. Firstly the lack of a sprint button is a pain, and this feels like the game is holding you back at the time. Although the base sprint speed can be upgraded, I often found myself looking for a button to go a little quicker. Alongside this, the platform sections of the game feel clunky. FPS games rarely pull this off, with only Dying Light and Doom Eternal coming to mind.
If you’ve read any reviews for Atomic Heart, you’ll have seen that it’s a bit of a marmite game. Reviewers either love or hate it. A few hours in, I was frustrated with some of the mission structure, which had me doing very similar tasks or objectives repeatedly; I then found myself starting to get the overall tone of the game a little more. One scene, particularly, involves a train ticket and a robot conductor. I hated it at the time as it involved looking a few times for a valid ticket to allow travel to the next area of the game. Looking back, it makes perfect sense, and I actually find it incredibly funny. I can’t stress enough that this won’t be a game for everyone, but if you can get in the right headspace for it, it’s a great experience.
Alongside this, although the dialogue could be considered cringe at times (as mentioned on a recent Pure Dead podcast, this is the thing to attack just now) and some of it is repeated a little too much, here’s looking at you, “Crispy Critters”. I’m once again incredibly impressed with what Mundfish have brought to the table for their debut outing. Some of the voice acting is great and later scenes and exceptionally well done.
This is both a world and character that should be built on, and with a solid first game in the bag, I’m excited and hopeful for what a sequel might bring. The developers have confirmed this is planned, and I’d love to jump back in and understand the story and setting of the game more in a second game.
I mentioned earlier the controversy that has followed the game from both before and after its release. Just so you’re aware, there have been links to both the Russian war, with possible harvesting data of users based in Russia while providing it to Russia’s security services as well as a cartoon included in the game with ties to racist undertones. It’s not a great look, and it’s definitely is not something I’m clever enough or informed enough to judge on, but beware of this before you jump in. I can’t remember seeing said video during my time with the game, but I know it’s there, and I’d advise making your own judgment before playing the game.
I’m keeping this review as spoiler-free as possible regarding the story, but the ending was a little off for me. By the time I’d finished up, I was confused and unsure of what had just happened. It felt like a twist upon a twist upon a twist and had way too many turns in the end to make much sense.
Overall, this is an excellent game from a studio on its first outing, but it’s not without issues. If you play Atomic Heart, you’ll get one of the best-looking games we’ve seen in this generation of games, with an interesting setting and story. It’s rough around the edges and not without fault, but I’ve loved this new experience!
-BigGP