Atomic Heart 2 CEO and Game Director shares insights on the gameplay improvements planned for the upcoming sequel. Read on to learn more about the game's enhanced Open World RPG system, increased narrative agency, and immersive activities.
Atomic Heart 2 Aims for Enhanced RPG Experience
Open World Exploration and Improved Living Environments
Atomic Heart 2 is still a few years away, but developer Mundfish has begun shedding light on what players can expect from the sequel. In a new Q&A featured on Wccftech, CEO and Game Director Robert Bagratuni outlined plans for an expanded RPG system, highlighting a living world, and a variety of immersive activities.
"Yes, we’re introducing a more expanded RPG layer in Atomic Heart 2, but we’re doing it the Mundfish way - integrated into the world and the experience, not layered on top just for complexity’s sake."
While the first Atomic Heart was known for its striking alternate Soviet sci-fi aesthetic, creative weapon designs, and experimental combat, Mundfish acknowledged there was room to improve the open-world experience. The first game drew criticism for its limited interactivity, with players calling for more dynamic events and a deeper sense of immersion.
Bagratuni addressed this by saying "We're paying close attention to all the feedback, so we know that the open world experience in AH1 wasn't perfect. And with Atomic Heart 2, we want to improve this significantly."
To flesh out the world, Atomic Heart 2 will be "much more open in structure" with "larger, interconnected spaces that offer more freedom in how you explore, revisit, and engage with different systems." New vehicles and traversal tools—such as paragliding—were prominent during its Summer Games Fest 2025 premiere and Bagrunti emphasized more space for discovery and replayability beyond the main story beats.
Expanding on this vision, Mundfish expressed a desire for the game’s environment to feel "less like a backdrop." and more like a living, responsive world. While full details remain under wraps, players can expect "more dynamic elements like time of day and weather to play a role in shaping both mood and gameplay."
Additionally, Bagratuni noted that "everything is still grounded in story and world logic—the scale is there to serve immersion, not overwhelm it."
Player-Driven Content and Narrative Agency
Bagrunti clarified that "various activities" between main missions will reward curiosity. Though implied rather than stated, this is most likely referring to side missions and unlockables. Still, Mundfish made it very clear that everything remains in service of the core experience.
"We’re not turning it into a checklist-style open-world game. Everything still has that handcrafted, surreal tone fans expect."
Players can also expect greater narrative agency and more influence over missions and in-game events. Bagratuni hinted at some form of companion-based interaction, however the full extent of this feature has yet to be revealed. As of writing, there has not been any definitive confirmation suggesting that allies may play a more active role in gameplay or story.
Overhauled Progression, Weapon Customization, and Skill Trees
While avoiding specifics, Bagratuni noted that combat was a standout element in the original game—something the team is looking to build on for the sequel. Mundfish is targeting deeper weapon customization, expanded skill trees, and more meaningful progression paths to give players greater control over their playstyle.
"The weight, the variety, the creative freedom in how you approached each fight. That positive feedback meant a lot to us, and it set a high bar for the sequel." Bagrunti continued, "With Atomic Heart 2, we want to go even further. To make sure we do it right, we’re starting internal playtesting much earlier this time around. Whether it’s moment-to-moment gunplay, skills usage, or how enemies react, our goal is to make every fight feel better, deeper, and more satisfying than before."
Atomic Heart 2 is currently in development for PC and Console (PS5 & Xbox Series X|S). To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
