Atomic Heart’s latest DLC will be taking the game’s world into new depths, granting players access to the underwater Neptune Complex. Indeed,Atomic Heart’sBioShock-inspired flair will come full circle with Mundfish’s own answer to the city of Rapture.
Atomic Heart’s Neptune Complex has been previously referenced in the game’s lore, but it hasn’t been made accessible in the core game. The underwater city has been viewed by many fans as a nod toBioShock’s Rapture, with in-game dialogue calling Neptune “A rapture!” and lore that references another underwater city near Iceland (around where Rapture is located in theBioShockuniverse). To learn more about this research facility finally becoming playable inAtomic Heart’s third DLC, Game Rant sat down with game director Robert Bagratuni.
How Mundfish Is Making The Neptune Complex A Reality In Atomic Heart’s DLC 3
The Scope Of Neptune
Bagratuni went into detail explaining thescope ofAtomic Heart’s third DLC, much of which will be taken up by the Neptune Complex and the surrounding undersea area. He stated that the DLC “will take players an average of 5–6 hours to complete it,” and that fans can expect “a new amazing underwater location, weapons and glove abilities, among which there is even a new movement ability.” Moreover, the DLC comes with its own story, new characters, and relationship developments between familiar characters. He then went on to explain some specifics of how the Neptune Complex will work and the design goals behind it:
“The underwater space, as we know, inspires fear in many people and is not without reason. Dark, unexplored territory, with unnatural conditions for human existence, is controlled by sea creatures, some of which in our fantasies can take on completely frightening forms. For example, without spoiling much, we can say that players will have an underwater section where they will have to act, let’s say, ‘under pressure.’ In general, our challenge was to create a believable atmosphere of immersion in the depths, where something unknown, large, deadly can watch and wait for you while you are constrained in your movements and abilities.”
Atomic Heartalready had some swimming mechanics, particularly in the form of polymer traversal segments. However, it would seem thatthe Enchantment Under the Sea DLCis going much further than the base game in this aspect, integrating more aquatic features and mechanics intoAtomic Heart. This will be an important factor when it comes to making DLC 3 stand out, not only from previous DLCs but from the lab areas available in the base game.
Enchantment Under The Sea’s New Enemies And Characters
Bagratuni also went into depth about what else can be found inAtomic Heart’s Neptune Complex, including the MOR-4Y bot. This new enemy is quite the machine, one that, according to Bagratuni, dwarfs many of the foes P-3 has faced previously.
“One such example is the MOR-4Y, a huge deadly robot that hides and lives in the depths of the sea. As you can see in our teasers and trailers, MOR-4Y is a predator of sorts and is capable of destroying even those robots that previously posed a serious threat to the player. As Qui-Gon Jinn said, “There’s always a bigger fish,” and players will literally have to experience this the hard way.”
Of course, all of this supportsAtomic Heart’s Enchantment Under the Sea DLC story, which is enabled by new characters. One of these characters is the roboticist Nikolai, who will be voiced by the major science-based YouTuber Kyle Hill. According to Bagratuni, the team had a conversation with Hill because Mundfish had an “an irresistible desire to work with him in one form or another.” This led to a collaboration in the form of a new character that takes on his voice and likeness, and fans will get to see how he fits into the world when they dive into this new DLC.
Atomic Heart
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to a utopian world of wonders and perfection, in which humans live in harmony with their loyal and fervent robots.Well, that’s how it used to be. With the launch of the latest robot-control system mere days away, only a tragic accident or a global conspiracy could disrupt it…The unstoppable course of technology along with secret experiments have brought rise to mutant creatures, terrifying machines and superpowered robots—all suddenly rebelling against their creators. Only you can stop them and find out what lies behind the idealized world.Using the combat abilities granted by your experimental power glove, your arsenal of blades and cutting-edge weaponry, fight for your life in explosive and frenetic encounters. Adapt your fighting style to each unique opponent. Combine your skills and resources, use the environment and upgrade your equipment to overcome challenges and fight for good.
