Siberian Federal University

After analyzing the key images, soundtrack and game mechanics, the expert noted that the success of Atomic Heart is ensured by the postmodern structure of art design, memetic characters and cultural eclecticism – references to the diverse world of mass culture of the 90s, 2000s, and the present. Popularity of Atomic Heart has positively impacted on strengthening the brands of Soviet and Slav in the foreign mass culture, and forcing the Russian culture among the external frontiers with soft power.

Atomic Heart is a computer game developed by the Russian studio Mundfish. The setting is a parallel reality of USSR, where the country has launched the mass production of robots serving the population and completely captured the global market of robotics.

“The gameplay of Atomic Heart does not offer a unique experience, as it is a classic first-person shooter. Even the logic of the interaction between the player and the game reality is hardly able to provide the level of excitement that has formed around this game. But look at the art design structure and cultural eclecticism of this game! Atomic Heart is a typical postmodern piece, catchy with references and Easter eggs. Soviet retrofuturism, the idea of the all-conquering development of science and technology was quilted into the game. The developers added spicy dialogues, stereotypical jokes and baked a perfect material for memes. And in the middle of this beats the heart of nostalgia for post-Soviet space — Soviet music, lemonade in a faceted glass, and other sweet and familiar images,” — noted Grigory Illarionov, candidate of Philosophy, assistant professor at the Department of Philosophy, SibFU.

According to the expert, the game is full of references to gaming and popular cultures, it quotes the greatest cult films translated and voiced by Leonid Volodarsky, songs of Korol I Shut band (Rus: Король и Шут), popular Internet memes, etc.

“These are the hooks with which the game catches you. Whereas, in truth, Atomic Heart exploits the topic of the horror of science, retells the myth of Icarus – the scientist who flew too high, tells a parable about original sin – how human passions resulted in destroying the Garden of Eden,” added the scientist.

Grigory Illarionov highlighted the undoubted positive aspects of Atomic Heart, such as forming an attractive image of the Russian Federation, promotion of Russian narratives, language, music, and soul.