Atomicrops
Developer: Bird Bath Games
Publisher: Raw Fury
Early Access: Sept. 5, 2019 (Epic Store)
Release: TBA
“You own the last farm in the post-apocalypse wasteland, inherited […] before the surrounding countryside gets vaporized in a nuclear blast. Now as the only source of food for the local town, and […] under threat from […] mutant wildlife, you do as any self-respecting farmer would: Farm. Marry. Kill.”
This game is described as an “action rogue-lite farming simulator,” and as I played I can confidently say… that’s darn spot on my friends. There’s action, you play for as long as you can until you die, and, well, you’re farming.
As I’ve reviewed games for this site, I’ve come to the conclusion that “rogue-lite” games are my Kryptonite. Why? Cuz I die, and die often. This Early Access let’s you play for three in-game days… I’ve only barely reached the beginning of the second. I keep dying. So many mutant wildlife; easier to die from than to kill. I like to believe I am getting better with each playthrough… but with only four lives and no ability to run, I am dying frequently. Hopefully, in the future, an update will come that will allow your character to run, to give you some semblance of a chance to outrun the death coming at you from all angles!
As for the time being, the gameplay is simple. You click to till, click to plant, hover to water, and click to shoot, with the typical WASD to move. It’s simple in concept, but difficult in execution. I’m probably just terrible at dodging weird, flaming projectile orbs, so I’m slightly biased in how friendly the gameplay is. If you have great reaction timing, then great! You’d be great at this game. If you’re like me, well, this game will take some time to master… and I’ve yet to master it. But I’m getting there! I’m, uh… getting there.
Dismissing my gaming shortcomings, this game is adorable and action-packed at the same time. The art style is reminiscent of 8-bit but with a tick more detail, and the colors really pop in this post-apocalyptic scenario. The music is light-hearted and up-beat, as well. This game may be taking place after a terrible disaster, but it does well to keep a more positive atmosphere… especially when hunted by mutant rabbits shooting at you with flaming orbs and bombs!!
All-in-all, for a game in Early Access, it has a good sense of what it is, and what it possibly could be in the future. For now it is only available on the Epic Store, but on their website, it looks like the game will eventually be made available on Steam, and as on some consoles as well.