7.5 /10 22

Mundfish’s debut title is a visual powerhouse that transports players to a retro-futuristic Soviet Union where robotics have gone rogue. Atomic Heart is an ambitious, often messy mix of FPS combat, puzzle-solving, and open-world exploration. While its art design is world-class, the experience is occasionally marred by uneven pacing, a polarizing protagonist, and fetch-quest-heavy mission design.

How to Play Atomic Heart

You play as Major P-3, using a combination of firearms, melee weapons, and an experimental polymer glove that grants telekinetic and elemental powers.

1. Controls – Standard FPS layout mixed with ability wheels for glove powers.
2. Progression – Gather “neuropolymer” from enemies to upgrade skills and weapon attachments.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Dual-wielding powers and weapons; resource management is key.
4. Tips – Scan often to find loot; melee builds save precious ammo in the early game.

Who Should Play Atomic Heart

Gamers who crave unique visual aesthetics and immersive sims like Bioshock will find a lot to love, provided they can stomach some jank.

• Player 1 – Fans of the “immersive sim” genre (System Shock, Prey).
• Player 2 – FPS players who enjoy melee-focused brawling over cover shooting.
• Player 3 – Sci-fi enthusiasts who love alternate history settings.
• Skip if – You are easily annoyed by constant, “edgy” protagonist dialogue.

Atomic Heart Platform Performance

The game is surprisingly well-optimized across all platforms, delivering high frame rates even in chaotic combat scenarios.

Atomic Heart System Requirements

Mundfish optimized the engine well; it runs on a wide range of hardware, though max settings require beefy VRAM.

Similar Games to Atomic Heart

The game wears its inspirations on its sleeve, drawing heavily from the titans of the narrative-shooter genre.

• BioShock Infinite – The closest gameplay and thematic parallel; elemental powers + guns.
• Wolfenstein: The New Colossus – Similar alternate history vibes and heavy industrial tech.
• Prey (2017) – Shares the focus on gloo/polymer powers and scientific facilities gone wrong.
• Singularity – A cult classic shooter also featuring Soviet time/tech manipulation.

Atomic Heart vs Competitors

Compared to other shooters in its class, Atomic Heart offers great value through Game Pass but lacks the polish of AAA veterans.

Atomic Heart Story & World

Set in an alternate 1955 Soviet Union, the USSR has become a global superpower through the invention of a miraculous substance called Polymer. The world-building is the star of the show, featuring floating cities, impeccably designed robots, and grand brutalist architecture. However, the story takes a while to ramp up, and the twist-heavy ending has left players divided on its effectiveness.

Atomic Heart Multiplayer & Online

This is a strictly single-player narrative experience. There are no competitive modes, co-op features, or social hubs.

• Single Player – Solo campaign only.
• Leaderboards – None exist.
• Online Requirement – None for consoles; DRM on PC.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable.

Atomic Heart DLC & Expansions

Mundfish is actively supporting the game with the “Atomic Pass,” delivering four distinct story expansions.

• Annihilation Instinct – DLC 1 (Released): New area and enemies.
• Trapped in Limbo – DLC 2 (Released): Platforming-focused wacky expansion.
• Enchantment Under the Sea – DLC 3 (Jan 2025): Underwater research facility.
• DLC 4 – Planned for late 2025/early 2026 release.

Atomic Heart Community & Support

The community is largely centered around discussing lore theories and waiting for the final DLC chapters.

• Official Discord – Very active developer presence.
• Reddit – r/AtomicHeart discusses bugs and sequel theories.
• Mod Support – No official tools, but a small Nexus community exists.
• Updates – Patches are frequent around DLC launches.