Atomic Heart is an upcoming action RPG title created by Russian studio Mundfish, and it has been receiving a lot of hype since the first gameplay demo was released in 2019. The game takes place in an alternate Soviet reality where robots and other advanced technologies have been developed. Players take control of a character known as P-3 in this world, as he sets off on a journey to discover the secrets of an abandoned, mysterious factory. But is Atomic Heart a horror game, after all?
The Soviet-styled aesthetic of Atomic Heart gives off a disquieting atmosphere. The art style evokes a sense of a eerie, abandoned world filled with secrets and mystery, and the cyberpunk vibes make for quite a horror-tinged experience.
Additionally, Atomic Heart utilizes a procedurally generated world, meaning the game is subject to random elements, like enemy placements and encounters. This means that while the world of the game looks familiar, it never quite looks the same in every playthrough.
This unpredictability works in tandem with the dark setting to up the tension. You never know what kind of enemies you will find in the game’s dark and twisted world, or what dangers may unexpectedly be lurking around the corner.
Combating enemies in Atomic Heart ranges from melee combat, to shooting, to using advanced technologies. You can use the environment to your advantage by avoiding foes or using traps to your advantage.
When it comes to Atomic Heart’s enemies, a lot of them exhibit horror-like qualities. You’ll encounter a wide range of robotic opponents, from zombies to creepy crawling machines. There’s also boss fights against huge shadow figures, robotic animal hybrids, and mutated humans.
All in all, Atomic Heart can be considered a horror-tinged sci-fi game. It combines the creepy, unpredictable atmosphere of horror games with the challenging, fast-paced combat of sci-fi titles, making for a unique and enthralling experience.
The Verdict:
Yes, Atomic Heart is a horror game, albeit a sci-fi horror hybrid. Its mysterious setting, unpredictable elements, and frightening enemies all help to create a tense, horror-like atmosphere. So, if you’re looking for a horror-tinged adventure, Atomic Heart is certainly worth keeping an eye on.