Atomic Heart

Atomic Heart is an action RPG with shooting elements from Mundfish studio, set in an alternate Soviet utopia of the 1950s, where humanity relies on an army of obedient robots for everyday labor and defense thanks to advanced cybernetics and artificial intelligence. Playing as agent P-3, the player moves through a sealed-off research complex and the surrounding open landscape after the robots unexpectedly rebel, fighting the crazed machines with firearms as well as improvised melee weapons, while also solving environmental puzzles using a special glove with telekinetic, electric, and freezing abilities.

On PlayStation 5, the game stands out for its striking art design, which combines Soviet propaganda aesthetics, posters, and architecture with a bizarre, at times almost horror-tinged vision of a bright yet corrupted future. The graphical treatment of both interiors and open exteriors is detailed, and the atmospheric soundtrack, partly built on period Soviet songs rearranged into electronic form, heightens the contrast between optimistic propaganda and the dark reality beneath the surface. The game contains dark humor and raw, violent sequences, which mark it as intended strictly for a mature audience.

Atomic Heart divided players and critics alike at launch — praised especially for its visual style, world, and atmosphere, while the shooting, puzzles, and storytelling received more mixed reception. The studio's very origins and its ties to Russia also sparked discussion, which affected how the game and its marketing were perceived in some countries shortly after release. A mysterious, ironically commenting artificial intelligence that the protagonist communicates with throughout the game also became a narrative draw. The studio further expanded the game with several paid add-ons that deepen the world's mythology and add new areas, and thanks to the controversial context of its creation, the game earned considerable media attention throughout its entire period of support.

Why play it: For players drawn in by its striking visual style and an ironically commenting artificial intelligence as a companion, who can handle a more mixed reception of its shooting and storytelling along with the studio's controversial background.