Mundfish, the studio behind the surreal sci-fi hit Atomic Heart, has dropped tantalizing details about its sequel, Atomic Heart 2, promising an ambitious evolution of the retrofuturistic universe.
Announced at Summer Game Fest 2025, the game is set to take players on a cosmic journey while retaining the bizarre charm that made the original a standout.
Here’s what we know so far:
- The Ballerina Twins Are Back: Despite the online debates and controversies surrounding these iconic characters, Mundfish is doubling down. The Twins will make a grand return, first appearing in the final DLC for the original Atomic Heart, titled Enchantment Under the Sea, set for release in January 2025, before taking center stage in the sequel.
- A Cosmic Leap for Humanity: The core theme of Atomic Heart 2 is human evolution and the ambition to reach the stars. Mundfish CEO Robert Bagratuni emphasized this vision, drawing inspiration from 1960s sci-fi dreams of transcending earthly limits. The game’s narrative kicks off with humanity’s push toward cosmic exploration, centered around the expanded Facility 3826.
- Space Whales and Lunar Ambitions: The announcement trailer turned heads with its surreal imagery of whales being transported to a lunar station. Far from a glitch, this “whale transportation system” is a key plot element, symbolizing the game’s bold narrative of humanity’s stellar aspirations. Expect plenty of drama as the story unfolds.
- Deeper Exploration: Unlike the first game’s semi-open world, Atomic Heart 2 will offer a more immersive exploration experience. Players will be able to delve into the retrofuturistic city of Chelomey and its surrounding areas at their own pace, with a “living world” that feels responsive and rich with activities. Mundfish aims to address feedback from the original by making exploration a core part of the gameplay loop.
- A Global Scientific Hub: The sequel expands the world to a global scale. Floating cities, representing diverse cultures and nations, hover above Facility 3826, now known as Polygon Science—a new Mecca for international scientists drawn to the region’s groundbreaking discoveries. This Soviet-Silicon Valley mashup will blend dystopian aesthetics with a vibrant, multicultural scientific community.
The visual style and surreal tone that defined the first Atomic Heart remain intact, with Mundfish promising to keep the “craziness” fans loved, from mind-bending environments to quirky characters. While no release date has been confirmed, the game is slated for a 2026 launch on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, powered by Unreal Engine 5.
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Get ready to dive back into the wild, retrofuturistic world of Atomic Heart 2. Wishlist it now on Steam and brace for a cosmic adventure like no other
