Atomic Heart 2 Deepens RPG Systems for Player Choice

The CEO and Game Director of Atomic Heart 2 shares insights on the planned gameplay enhancements for the upcoming sequel. Learn about the game's enriched Open World RPG mechanics, greater player influence on the narrative, and deeper immersive activities.

Atomic Heart 2 Aims for a Deeper RPG Experience

Expanded Open World Exploration and Living Environments

Although Atomic Heart 2 is still a few years from release, developer Mundfish has started revealing what players can anticipate. In a recent Q&A with Wccftech, CEO and Game Director Robert Bagratuni outlined plans for a more robust RPG system, emphasizing a dynamic living world and a wider array of engaging activities.

"We are indeed introducing a more extensive RPG layer in Atomic Heart 2, but we approach it in the Mundfish style—seamlessly integrated into the world and overall experience, rather than being added merely for complexity."

While the original Atomic Heart earned praise for its unique alternate Soviet sci-fi aesthetic, inventive weaponry, and experimental combat, Mundfish recognized that the open-world aspects had room for improvement. The first installment faced some criticism for its limited interactivity, with players expressing a desire for more spontaneous events and a richer sense of immersion.

Bagratuni responded to this feedback, stating, "We're carefully considering all the input we received, and we acknowledge that the open-world experience in the first game wasn't perfect. With Atomic Heart 2, our goal is to make significant improvements in this area."

To create a more detailed world, Atomic Heart 2 will feature a "much more open structure" with "larger, interconnected areas that provide greater freedom in exploration, revisiting locations, and interacting with various game systems." New vehicles and movement options—such as paragliding—were highlighted during its Summer Games Fest 2025 reveal, and Bagratuni stressed the importance of offering ample opportunities for discovery and replayability beyond the main storyline.

Elaborating on this vision, Mundfish aims for the game's environment to feel "less like a static setting" and more like a vibrant, reactive world. While specific details are still under wraps, players can look forward to "dynamic elements like time of day and weather affecting both the atmosphere and gameplay."

Bagratuni also emphasized that "all these elements remain grounded in the story and the world's internal logic—the increased scale is intended to enhance immersion, not detract from it."

Enhanced Player Agency and Narrative Choices

Bagratuni clarified that "various activities" available between major story missions will reward player curiosity. While not explicitly detailed, this likely refers to side quests and hidden content. Mundfish was keen to note that every element is designed to complement the core experience.

"We are not transforming the game into a checklist-driven open world. Everything retains the handcrafted, surreal atmosphere that fans appreciate."

Players will also have more influence over the narrative, with greater impact on mission outcomes and in-game events. Bagratuni hinted at potential companion-based interactions, though the full scope of this feature has not yet been disclosed. Currently, there is no definitive confirmation regarding a more active role for allies in gameplay or story progression.

Refined Progression, Weapon Customization, and Skill Trees

Without revealing specific details, Bagratuni acknowledged that combat was a standout feature in the original game—an aspect the team intends to build upon for the sequel. Mundfish is focusing on more intricate weapon customization, broader skill trees, and more meaningful progression systems to allow players greater control over their preferred playstyle.

"The impactful combat, the variety of options, and the creative freedom in tackling encounters—the positive reception to these elements was very important to us and set a high standard for the sequel." Bagratuni added, "With Atomic Heart 2, we aim to push these aspects even further. To ensure we achieve quality, we've begun internal playtesting much earlier this time. Whether it's the feel of the gunplay, the use of skills, or enemy behavior, our objective is to make every combat encounter more engaging, deeper, and more rewarding than ever."

Atomic Heart 2 is currently in development for PC and consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S). For the latest updates on the game, be sure to check out our article below!