As a fan of the classic CRPGs, especially those dealing in a post-apocalyptic world, I couldn’t help getting excited to review ATOM RPG
In 1986 both the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc were destroyed in mutual nuclear bombings. You are one of the survivors of the nuclear Holocaust. Your mission – to explore the wild and wondrous world of the Soviet Wasteland. To earn your place under the sun. And to investigate a shadowy conspiracy, aimed at destroying all that is left of life on Earth.
Atom RPG Review
ATOM RPG includes many of the game style components that you may have become familiar with when playing the Fallout series games. Most notably is the isometric overhead view that was used in the classic, Fallout 2. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic Russia and conversations refer to many of the region’s themes which immerse you in a realistic setting. Your character will dive deep into a story of occults, bandits and comrades which can be a valuable help.
Gameplay
You start the game by building a character profile choosing starting characteristics, skills and distinctions. As you wander the open-world you will run into NPCs that tell wild tales of strange people and events that are occurring in this land. You can choose to fight a lot or fight less often through conversation choices or even avoiding some combat with skills and polite responses.
The turn-based fighting mechanic will fill you full of plunder as you progress through the land. The game lets you explore wherever you want in whatever order you prefer. As you wander around, you scavenge the countryside for quests and items to pilfer and sell to passing caravans earning you money. While playing, you gain experience and items to upgrade your character.
Skill Choices
These choices will govern what weapons you will be skilled in best initially; which skills like lockpicking, first aid, speechcraft, sneaking…etc. you can start with and their levels; as well as two major perks (called distinctions in the game) that let you greatly modify your abilities.
I said “initially” earlier because with each level up you gain quite a few additional points to change your skill proficiencies if you choose to do so. While you can’t remove points spent, you get enough to boost skills you hadn’t previously.
Finally, the ability tree is large and varied. Since I was playing a melee character, I chose to spend points in hitting harder and a wondrously fantastic ability called “Quick Regeneration” that heals me when I take damage.
Graphics
The graphics are very clean and detailed for this style of game. You really feel like you’re walking around in a post-apocalyptic world. When you enter a town or building everything on the screen is easily identifiable and crisp. Friendlies and enemies alike show what they are wearing and even what weapon they are carrying allowing you to strategize your attack accordingly. The open-world map contains enough detail to reveal where minor and major places of interest are, and once you get used to the game, what you might expect if you went to a specific location.
Sound Effects & Music
The music plays throughout as an ominous theme or dreary soundscape depending on your location. When in a battle, the sound will be as specific as hearing gunshots and even the sound of a bat hitting your head as if a homerun was just scored for the other team.
Dialogue and Conversation Choices
The types of conversations vary greatly. Some are hilarious, some threatening, and many will help to immerse you in the post-apocalyptic world. This is an RPG where there will be many conversations; some lengthy, some short but generally well written. As you speak to an NPC it is best to carefully choose your responses as to not anger the other side (unless you want to). You may want their help and they may even have a quest for you. If you find you’re failing with many of the dialogue options, consider putting points into those areas at the next level-up.
Combat & Camera Controls
While engaged in combat, you enter a turn-based mode that allows you to selectively decide who to attack and how to attack them. You may decide to swing your weapon to do damage or aim at a particular body part to weaken their ability to fight back. You can even switch to a secondary weapon or heal yourself with stim injections during battle.
When
Atom RPG Review Summary
Giving a nod to such classics as Fallout and Wasteland, this game
