I know that sounds simple, and I promise that Atomic Heart's story has way more to it, but it's impossible for me to tell you what's really going on. You see, Atomic Heart has a major problem at its, well, heart. That problem? This is quite possibly the worst-written game I have ever played in my entire life. I've been asked not to use hyperbole in my reviews, but I swear this isn't hyperbole. I have never been more confused and baffled at any point in time than I am while playing Atomic Heart.
I really went into Atomic Heart looking for some weird and unique game that really throws everything at the wall with bravado and sees what sticks. I got something like that, but not nearly as much stuck as I was hoping. Some fun gameplay moments and a kickass soundtrack can't hide the fact that the open world is bad, the game has a bunch of glitches, the late game becomes a repetitive slog, and Atomic Heart simply has the most aggressively terrible writing I've ever seen in my life. I'm not sure this heart has the blood to keep pumping.