Atomic Heart is a first-person adventure game by Soviet-born indie studio MildMania, released in 2020. It is set in an alternate Soviet Union and follows the story of a KGB agent tasked with a secret mission inside a mysterious facility.
The game has been lauded for its unique blend of open-world exploration and action-filled puzzles. It has also been praised for its striking visuals, intricate narrative, and immersive atmosphere. What makes it truly stand out, however, is its innovative use of a concept known as “A Glass Darkly”.
A Glass Darkly is a game mechanic that allows the player to “see” through a character’s eyes. By going into a sort of virtual first-person view, players can explore their surroundings while subjectively experiencing the world as their character.
The most immediate use of the system in Atomic Heart is in the form of the character’s inventory. By entering the Glass Darkly state, players can navigate through their equipment and make changes to their loadout, all without ever having to access a separate menu.
Additionally, the Glass Darkly system can be used to experience the world from the character’s point of view. This includes seeing how NPCs react to the character’s presence, as well as being able to interact with objects in the environment.
Atomic Heart’s use of the Glass Darkly system is an incredibly fresh take on exploration. By making the character’s perspective an integral part of the experience, the game creates a truly immersive world. It’s a welcome break from the usual first-person formula, and one that also encourages exploration and experimentation.
Atomic Heart also uses its Glass Darkly system to convey narrative and lore. While usually subtle, these self-contained stories help to make the world of Atomic Heart feel real and fleshed out.
Atomic Heart: A Glass Darkly is an ambitious and innovative game. Its use of the Glass Darkly system to create an immersive and explorable world is truly commendable, and its memorable narrative and visuals provide an unforgettable experience.