"Atomic Heart 2 Enhances RPG Mechanics for Greater Player Freedom"

Atomic Heart 2 CEO and Game Director share insights into the gameplay enhancements planned for the upcoming sequel. Discover more about the game’s enriched open-world RPG system, deeper narrative choices, and immersive activities.

Atomic Heart 2 Aims for a Deeper RPG Experience

Open-World Exploration and Enhanced Living Environments

Although Atomic Heart 2 is still a few years out, developer Mundfish has started revealing details about what players can expect from the sequel. In a recent Q&A session on Wccftech, CEO and Game Director Robert Bagratuni discussed plans for an expanded RPG system, emphasizing a living world and engaging interactive experiences.

"We're definitely expanding the RPG elements in Atomic Heart 2, but we’re doing it our way—naturally integrated into the world and experience, not just added for complexity."

While the original Atomic Heart impressed with its unique Soviet sci-fi setting, inventive weapons, and experimental combat, there was room for improvement in the open-world design. The first game received feedback regarding limited interactivity and a lack of dynamic events, prompting calls for a more immersive environment.

Bagratuni responded directly: "We’ve taken all the feedback seriously. We know the open-world experience in AH1 wasn’t perfect, and in Atomic Heart 2, we aim to significantly enhance that."

To enrich the game world, Atomic Heart 2 will feature a "much more open structure," offering "larger, interconnected spaces that provide greater freedom in how you explore, revisit, and interact with different systems." During its Summer Games Fest 2025 debut, new traversal mechanics such as paragliding were showcased, highlighting more opportunities for exploration and replayability beyond the main story.

Expanding further on this vision, Mundfish aims to create a world that feels "less like a backdrop" and more like a living, reactive environment. While full details remain under wraps, players should look forward to more dynamic elements such as time-of-day cycles and weather effects that influence both atmosphere and gameplay.

Bagratuni also noted: "Everything stays rooted in story and world logic—the scale exists to enhance immersion, not overshadow it."

Player-Centric Content and Narrative Agency

Bagratuni confirmed that "various activities" between main missions will encourage exploration and reward curiosity. While specifics remain vague, this likely includes side quests and hidden content. Importantly, Mundfish emphasized that these additions won't turn the game into a checklist-driven open world—each element retains the handcrafted, surreal quality fans loved.

Players will also enjoy increased narrative agency, allowing them to shape missions and in-game events. Although companion-based interactions are hinted at, exact details on their role in gameplay or story progression have yet to be revealed. At this time, there's no confirmation of companions actively participating in combat or decision-making.

Refined Progression, Weapon Customization, and Skill Systems

Combat was a standout feature in the original Atomic Heart, and Mundfish intends to build upon that success. The team is focusing on enhanced weapon customization, broader skill trees, and more impactful progression options to give players greater control over their playstyle.

"The feel, variety, and creative freedom in each encounter were highlights for us," said Bagratuni. "That positive response set a high bar for the sequel. With Atomic Heart 2, we want to push even further. That’s why we’ve started internal playtesting earlier than before. Whether it’s real-time gunplay, skill usage, or enemy behavior, our goal is to make every fight feel deeper, smoother, and more rewarding than ever."

Atomic Heart 2 is currently in development for PC and consoles (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S). For ongoing updates and exclusive details about the game, stay tuned to our coverage below!