![]() ![]() Its opening “dungeon” would have you thinking it’s a standard Bioshock-like. In fact, I’d barely even understand half of it until the dev team showed me an overview video after my hands-on time. While narrative is at the forefront, Atomic Heart is also an incredibly systems-heavy action game. If you need any more proof that the lines between big and mid-budget are blurring, Atomic Heart seems to offer a shining example. There are some clever load masks here or there, but my demo has me seamlessly jumping between the opening stream ride, a massive palace, that aerial tour of the world, and the dark corridors where the action begins to unfurl. More jaw-dropping, though, is that the game does not feature a single load screen. Like A Plague Tale: Requiem, its hyper-detailed visuals punch well above their weight class. That’s made all the more impressive by its tech, which seems like an astonishing feat for a first-time studio funded by a AA publisher. Everything about the art design is triumphant, from its red-soaked streets to its varied robot designs. I gaze up at hulking statues of USSR leaders, watch a massive parade move through the streets, and get a bird’s eye view of the entire city thanks to a flying jalopy. My first hour is particularly engrossing as it plays with an awe-inspiring scale. While early trailers have purely emphasized action, I got a much more story-heavy experience that really let me bask in its creative alt-history universe. Regardless of how that particular thread plays out, I already find Atomic Heart’s narrative focus compelling. “If you need any more proof that the lines between big and mid-budget are blurring, Atomic Heart seems to offer a shining example.” Publisher Focus Interactive admitted that it was initially hesitant to pick it up initially because of that aspect, but the label seems confident in where the final game landed tonally, which is encouraging. It’s unclear early on if it’s looking to make a commentary about either, or if it’s simply interested in irreverent farce a la Far Cry. It takes some clear jabs at the concept of communism but swings just as hard at capitalism. Off the bat, I’ll stress that it’s impossible to judge Atomic Heart’s political ambitions based on such a small slice. ![]() One rogue hack later, everything goes south and the machines turn into murderous monsters hellbent on killing the protagonist, an intelligence agent tasked with finding who’s responsible. After creating a wonder material called polymer, the USSR was transformed into a communist paradise full of intelligent robots that live in harmony with humans. The story takes place in an alternate version of 1955 in which the Soviet Union won World War 2 and become a technological powerhouse. A friendly drone flies to me and hands me a glass of soda, which I sip while watching little slice-of-life vignettes occur next to me. It’s an idyllic vision of the future, like I’m at a Disney theme park. This time, I’m riding down a stream on a futuristic paddle boat. My demo begins right at the top of the game, with an introductory sequence reminiscent of Half-Life’s iconic trip around Black Mesa. We have more news from E3 2021, don't miss any of the coverage here on Shacknews.Atomic Heart knows how to make an entrance. Microsoft is lining up as many titles as it can for Xbox Game Pass and Atomic Heart should prove to be an interesting inclusion. With the wild trailer shown at the Xbox/Bethesda E3 2021, one more announcement to unfold was Atomic Heart's inclusion in Xbox Game Pass, the game subscription service that keeps on giving. You can use objects, enemies, or even parts of yourself as a weapon ensuring no two fights are ever the same. Atomic Heart has creepy uni-wheeled big-headed bots, cybernetic implants, even more disturbingly unnerving robots, and combat with not only your weapons and the environment, but anything really. Once you find your way back to your seat in case that trailer knocked you right out of it, take a minute to process everything on display. Warning, you might want to hold on to something. Atomic Heart was shown off in full glory at E3 2021 during the Xbox/Bethesda Showcase. Mundfish is making something wild with Atomic Heart, I mean, it has a mustachioed robo-mannequin that you kill in brutal fashion. Atomic Heart has still yet to receive a release date. ![]() Xbox Game Pass is also turning the game subscription model into an extremely enticing proposition with the acquisition of this wild looking game. ![]() Atomic Heart looks like it's poised to turn the role-playing FPS genre on its head with a bombastic trailer shown at the Xbox/Bethesda E3 2021 Showcase. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |