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. Image used with permission by copyright holder 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. You can’t play Baldur’s Gate 3 on Xbox, but you can play these 6 Game Pass RPGs The impending Xbox 360 Store closure makes me wary of Game Pass’ future You don’t need an Xbox Series X to play Starfield.

Atomic Heart download the new version