Atomic Heart: The Final Preview

Atomic Heart, a strictly single-player first-person shooter set in an alternate Soviet history, promises a captivating experience. After a near-final playthrough, early impressions suggest a game brimming with potential.

The Opening Act: Chelomey City and Beyond

The game’s opening unfolds across the breathtaking Chelomey City, high above the clouds, transitioning to the subterranean depths of the Vavilov facility. The initial combat is challenging, demanding stealth tactics. Early weapon choices are limited (a fireman’s axe and shotgun) forcing a focus on tactical movements. Early upgrades, though, swiftly introduce intriguing abilities like wall-tracking and disabling security cameras, adding depth to stealthy engagements.

Early Combat Encounters

• Enemies (terminator-style robots) are relentless, engaging in direct assaults.
• They disregard cover, making close-quarters combat unavoidable.
• Learning the combat rhythm is essential, progressing from brute force to more sophisticated melee and ranged strategies.
• Early deaths are expected as the player masters the controls and upgrades.

Crafting and Exploration

Atomic Heart’s environment offers more than just a straightforward combat experience. A notable feature is the AI-enhanced glove’s vacuuming ability, enabling efficient gathering of items and resources, significantly streamlining the typically arduous task of looting. The game encourages detailed exploration, with hidden bonuses including Soviet-themed Looney Tunes cartoons and public phone booths.

Robot Rock: A Metal Symphony

The soundtrack, composed by Mick Gordon, is a significant aspect of the game’s atmosphere. Its heavy metal influences, reminiscent of Doom, perfectly complement the intense action sequences, enhancing the adrenaline-pumping experience.

Sound Design

The composer’s ability to seamlessly merge head-banging riffs with intense first-person shooter action creates a unique sonic experience, making crucial moments all the more thrilling.

Agent P-3: A Questionable Protagonist

Agent P-3, the game’s protagonist, presents a mixed bag. While his quips aim for action hero swagger, they often fall short, occasionally feeling reminiscent of repetitive Fortnite-style trash talk. The voice acting, compared to other titles’ silent protagonists, feels less impactful, even though it seems to aim for that persona.

Supporting Characters

• NORA, the weapons vendor, is a particularly memorable character, though her constant dirty talk and double entendres raise an intriguing question: is reporting an AI to HR possible?
• This creates a sense of humor, a significant element that may be a key aspect of the game.

Open World Concerns: A Linear Exploration?

A subtle concern lies in the vast open spaces between the game’s five primary facilities. While effective for testing out abilities and clearing hordes of enemies, these areas might feel somewhat repetitive, lacking in the varied detail seen in Chelomey City’s dense urban environment. These areas primarily serve as a means to collect resources.

Potential Redemption

The game’s ingenuity, particularly in its well-designed facilities (with air-suspended water features and puzzle rooms), suggests the potential to compensate for any lack of substantial exploration. The interior environments seem packed with interesting challenges that fully utilize the character’s abilities.

Overall Impression

Despite minor concerns about the protagonist and the apparent linearity of the overworld, Atomic Heart’s intriguing atmosphere, engaging combat, and meticulously designed environments leave a lasting impression. If the game maintains its interest throughout its 25-hour campaign, it could be a truly exceptional addition to the first-person shooter genre.