Atomic Heart was one of the most anticipated new games for 2023 after a series of impressive gameplay trailers steadily built hype. With its alternate history timeline and world overrun with malfunctioning androids, it's easy to understand the potential. While the full game has divided opinion, the Atomic Heart Game Pass launch (alongside its release on PC, PS5, and PS4) means that plenty of you are looking to jump into the action.
Below you'll find our full review of the game on PS5, as well as a smattering of Atomic Heart guides and tips to help you navigate (and survive) the dangers of Facility 3826.
Atomic Heart review
While 12DOVE was undoubtedly impressed with the big ideas developer Mundfish puts forward, and the impressive visual direction throughout, our Atomic Heart review found that the execution is lacking. With its messy story and stroppy protagonist, flat combat and lifeless world, Atomic Heart isn't able to escape the shadow cast by the video games that so clearly inspired it.
Atomic Heart release date
The Atomic Heart release date is February 21, 2023. The confirmed platforms for Atomic Heart are PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, and Xbox One. The new-gen console release features a steady 60 frames-per second performance and dynamic 4K resolution, while the PC version features additional graphical improvements such as real-time ray-tracing.
Game Pass
Atomic Heart will be on Game Pass from day one. The news was confirmed at E3 2021, when developer Mundfish and Atomic Heart were included as part of the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. That means that if you're an Xbox Game Pass subscriber, you'll be able to play the game as part of your membership from February 21 – and you can even go ahead and pre-install the game now through the service if you want to jump into the action at the first opportunity.
Atomic Heart trailer
There have been plenty of Atomic Heart trailers over the years, although this most recent look at the game from earlier this year remains one of our favorites. Designed principally to show off the level of detail Atomic Heart can deliver when running in ultra-4K, this GeForce RTX Gameplay Reveal does a great job at selling the high-concept of the world and the potential of its fast-paced FPS combat.
How to sprint
Enjoying the sights and sounds of Atomic Heart's world, but simply wish you could move a little faster through all those Soviet laboratories? Sadly, there is no Atomic Heart sprint functionality, though there is a way to improve your base movement speed. So click the link to find out how.
How to use the scanner
The world of Atomic Heart is packed with enemies, resources, and easy-to-miss collectibles. Fear not because there is a way to spot key items in the environments, although you may have missed the tutorial on how to properly activate it. So join us as we explain how to use the Atomic Heart scanner.
How the lockpicking puzzles work
Atomic Heart may give you free rein over its environments, but that doesn't mean that some areas aren't gated. There are a lot of lock and key mechanics that you'll need to circumvent, both to find rare resources and progress through the story. The thing is, the Atomic Heart lockpicking puzzles can be a little tricky. So if you need help opening doors in Atomic Heart, we've got just the guide for you.
How to change FOV
You might have noticed that the Atomic Heart FOV can't be changed in the settings. There's no option in the menus and, if you don't like the view you have, there's nothing you can so about it. Or is there? While there's nothing official, the Flawless Widescreen app will let you changes FOV on PC, so read our guide for the how to.
Telekinesis
You've probably seen the Atomic Heart telekinesis abilities on show in the trailer. It's a core part of the game with uses in combat and puzzle solving, so if you want to know more about how to get it, use it and upgrade it, we've covered all the basics for you.
Animal tank puzzle
The Atomic Heart animal tank puzzle is one of the weirder challenges you'll have to face. And that's saying something in a game full of weird things. If you're having trouble working out what to do with all the cows, pigs and chickens however, we have the solution here.
Station master puzzle
The Atomic Heart door code will come in handy when you reach the station master puzzle. It's a fairly simple thing when you know what's going on - there's a puzzle lock with lots of buttons to press and a code sheet somewhere you need to find to know what to press. We've broken it all down here.
Atomic Heart is out now for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and Game Pass. If you're looking for other shooters like it, check out our recommendations for the best FPS games that you should play today.
