Highly-anticipated sci-fi FPSAtomic Heartwas recently released to mixed reception, with many praising the game for its unique world, artistic designs, and creative enemies, but its writing and tone lead to a confusing overall package. The dystopian world ofAtomic Heartis beautifully realized, and its setting is undoubtedly one of the game’s greatest strengths. However, the severe nature of the events that unfold and the disturbing, gritty indoor environments starkly contrast the game’s campy humor and cartoonish characters.
To many, the comedic and goofy aspects ofAtomic Heartare arguably its worst features, as the jokes regularly do not land and the silly banter between characters can be awkward, annoying, and off-putting. With violent and horrific imagery around every corner of the game’s detailed environments, the writing and tone of the game do not mix well with the world that developer Mundfish has created. Although a game likeFallout: New Vegasmanages to effectively create a hostile world filled with whimsy,Atomic Heart’swriting isn’t able to match its top-notch setting, and the end product suffers because of it.
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Atomic Heart’s Poor Writing Detracts From Its Excellent Setting
Atomic Hearttakes place in a world where humankind’s technological reach has exceeded its grasp, and the machines they’ve created have turned against them. From the beginning of the game onward, players will likely notice that many aspects ofAtomic Heart’s game design are heavily influenced by theBioShockgames. The opening sequence even sees players being led through an on-rail section, taking in the sights and accomplishments of a deceptively utopian world hanging on by a thread.
The similarities betweenAtomic HeartandBioShockcontinue into the gameplay and environmental storytelling, with players usingplasmid-like abilities and augmenting weaponswhile stumbling across audio logs. WhereasBioShockuses its unique setting to develop a memorable, thought-provoking experience,Atomic Heartpokes fun at itself every chance it gets instead of using its setting as a foundation to create a cohesive story. Its story is decidedly simplistic and predictable, and nearly every NPC the player comes across acts as if they’re living in a parody, making odd choices and often having cringe-worthy writing.
As evidenced by the recently-released and heavily-criticizedForspoken, poor writing has the potential to do irreversible damage to a game’s reputation.Atomic Heartseems to shareForspoken’s worst qualitiesand even be worse in some ways, as its writing and characters create a tone that heavily differs from its impressive setting. Most notably,Atomic Heart’sprotagonist, P-3, is unlikeable due to his incessant immature and rude remarks, and many players will likely tire of his endlessly repeated one-liners and constant complaints.
Another recent release,Hi-Fi Rush, is able to get away with its over-the-top characters and writingdue to the game’s setting being equally outlandish. InAtomic Heart,players will often marvel at its beautiful yet frightening enemies and environments that paint a picture of a dark and twisted world, but then the writing will completely remove any feeling of immersion. There’s even one machine that continually sexually harasses the player as they attempt to manage or upgrade their weapons and abilities.
Atomic Heartwill regularly leave players with their jaws on the floor due to the countless inventive designs throughout nearly every aspect of its world. However, immature writing and frequent immersion-breaking character moments will have players baffled at what they just witnessed or heard. For players who enjoy thegameplay and setting ofBioShock, they’ll likely find plenty to love inAtomic Heart, but Mundfish may want to consider adding a banter slider to cut back on its cringe-worthy moments.
Atomic Heartis available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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