This game portrays Russia quite poorly.Ītomic Heart”s visual style is one of its greatest strengths. It certainly does not come across as Russian propaganda like the boycott movement is suggesting. The game’s story is deep and complex, and while at times it is a little tricky to follow, it is highly appealing and unique. It’s interesting to see that even when Russia was able to use its wealth of resources and knowledge to become a technological superpower that brings good to the world, classic Russian corruption wins. The game’s alternate history and political story are one of the standout features of the game. There are many ways in which Atomic heart is like Bioshock and they are all positive. You could very easily look at this sreenshot out of context and wonder if it was from Bioshock. One thing that is quite odd is that this Russian officer has an American accent, as do all other characters in the game but perhaps this was a consequence of Russia’s current unpopularity on the world stage. It remains a solid premise and drives the story very strongly throughout the game. The game is set in an area of soviet Russia, where players take on the role of a KGB officer sent to investigate the cause of why all of their advanced robots have suddenly started to attack humanity. It is very hard not to immediately think of a game like Bioshock, a game that many try to be but rarely become. The idea of going back in time and seeing a world filled with advanced robots and technology far beyond what we have today while also looking like a product of its time is a masterclass of artistic creativity. It is an incredibly interesting concept that may be a little uncomfortable considering the current political climate.

The game introduces an interesting alternative history that shows how Soviet Russia could have used its power to achieve something great. Atomic Heart is set in an alternate universe where the Soviet Union has become a technological superpower.

Atomic heart character creation