An alternate history set in the wake of World War II. A utopia of technology that hides terrible secrets. A bloodthirsty protagonist with a square jaw. Mick Gordon blowing fire out of the speaker. I can’t help but think that Bethesda just dropped another Wolfenstein for her stealth. Alas, this isn’t a new adventure for his Blazkowicz family, but it owes the franchise a lot.
Finally released after a long development cycle on Mundfish, Atomic Heart is a FPS set in the scientifically brilliant Soviet empire. Red has made pioneering advances in robotics and AI, thanks to scientist and Minister of Industry Sechenov. Automaton will meet all the needs of the Russian people.
Of course, we cannot have a society filled with robots without a robot uprising. This is exactly what happens at the beginning of the game. Our hero P3, real name Sergey Nechaev, is sent on a regular mission by Sechenov following the parade ushering in the Empire’s new Golden Age. As the bot goes on a rampage, he crashes into a huge aerial biome with only his ax and his companion AI Char-les. While battling increasingly hostile establishments, he must discover the cause of the uprising and track down the alleged traitor Viktor Petrov.
The plot quickly thickens with a mostly familiar beat, but with a few twists along the way. Comparisons to Wolfenstein extend to the B-movie setting, with an emphasis on the popcorn spectacle. P3 cleverly cracks as if his middle name is his Nukem, but Char-les always fights back against him. However, the script lacks the nuances and political elements of the modern cycle of Machine His games, and rarely approaches the emotional complexity.
Conversations about the complexity of the communist state and the unifying power of scientific discovery run headlong into terrible jokes and catchphrases (P3 constantly yelling “Krispy Glitter”). There are sex-obsessed and murderous upgrade stations that spew filth.
It might talk like an old-school shooter, but it walks you like an immersive sim, though it progresses through a 15- to 20-hour story almost linearly. The P3 is equipped with an experimental “Polymer Glove” that allows you to choose powers that are freely interchangeable depending on the situation. Shields, Elemental Damage, Speed, and Machine Control can be equipped and upgraded using resources scattered throughout the level.
Along with weapon customization and stealth elements, this ability system brings Atomic Heart closer to BioShock (and not just because the floating city resembles Columbia). Similarly, roaming around the abandoned buildings of Facility 3826, looking for a cost-effective way to use the toolset to navigate enemy encounters, reminds me of his PREY in 2017. . Weapons are sparse at first, with only modded axes, shotguns, and energy pistols to get you through the first few hours.
Enemies telegraph certain attacks to allow for well-timed dodge counters. It’s never been smooth, but it helps when you get the hang of it. Then, with more weapons, that vintage shooter feel returns. P3 stalks hallways filled with bots and mutated plant people, blasting mechanized behemoths to pieces while bickering with gloves. While you always have the option to go quietly and tactically, you can also use your resources to craft ammo and blow it up to clear your way.
Stealth is usually recommended in the semi-open world sections that connect the main facilities of the story. P3 stalks communities ravaged by uprisings, with cameras and hostile machines dotted around the map. Shuffling through these houses, using glove tendrils to scavenge for resources, or examining the memories of dead androids is a nice way to divide the action between the game’s main levels.
There’s a lot going on in Atomic Heart, both tonally and mechanically. I am trying to do many things at once and none of them are completely successful. The writing is the biggest culprit, swinging wildly between genuinely engaging and disgusting. In one standout sequence, two cybernetic ballerinas and her bodyguards conjure blood-red polymer demons in a fantastical dance. It’s such an emotional moment. A few minutes later, back to the taunt-filled tough talk and corny conspiracy plot. Uncovering the corrupt core at the heart of the empire and finding out who and what the P3 are is genuinely intriguing, but mostly feels cumbersome and rushed.
The glove’s abilities and weapon mods are plentiful, creating a playground of choices reminiscent of the aforementioned title borrowed by Mundfish. That said, fighting multiple enemies can feel awkward, while boss fights are skill checks that don’t necessarily respect skill choices. It doesn’t pack as much punch as it advertises.
Another issue is pacing. Each level of the game is different enough, but the objective structure of fetch quests and frequent treks in the open world can be repetitive.
Facility 3826’s desolate farm at least looks good, with Unreal Engine 4 rendering stunning exterior views and atmospheric interiors. However, it’s worth noting that the version we reviewed had several crashes with no identifiable cause. was a little awkward.
Conclusion
This shooter, stealth, and RPG mashup wears its influences proudly, but rarely matches them. Its alternate history setting is interesting, and there are many ways to approach robot killing, but these elements are at odds with the messy storytelling and character setting.
