There are a number of well regarded simulation games out there that have quite the enthusiastic fan base to tell you how amazing and relaxing they can be. However, I often find myself struggling to find interest in this style of gameplay. I would rather have something a little more action packed and with Atomicrops, I can finally have the farming simulator made for me!
Atomicrops is the new roguelite farming simulator where you must not only grow your crops, but also defend them from armed assailants. Pushing the boundary of bullet hell and farming simulator genres is not common, for sure, but they combine so well that it is surprising that something like this has not been done before.
You play as the only farmer in a post-apocalyptic world where you must grow and bring home food to your starving village. During the daytime, you will prepare your land by tilling soil, planting seeds, watering and fertilizing them. But once night rolls around, baddies from all over will swarm your crops, trying to either eat them or simply attack you and play as distraction while those previous enemies nom away at your precious crops. Survive the night and sell your crops, allowing you to buy more seeds, weapons and upgrades to prep for the next day. You can even adventure out during the day to find camps of enemies that you can invade to get additional perks and usable items to benefit either your fighting or farming power.
With a number of rotating perks and items to find, the game play remains fresh even though the enemies will remain the same. You might get a run where you pick up a number of farm animals to help you with watering and tilling soil, or another run could be filled with turrets and drones that follow you to help with combat. Add these and a number of different chargeable items such as tractors that will help eat all enemies on the screen or turn weeds into seeds and you get a plethora of perks that might pop up and change up your run. Just keep in mind, once you die, you’ll have to start all over again. This can be frustrating at times but it makes those crazy runs where things are going well that much more satisfying.
Right now you play based on the seasons of the year, where each season will last 3 in-game rounds or full days. The first and second day should be for exploring and building up your crops, whereas the third day will always have a boss to battle during nighttime. The bosses are a ton of fun and can get super chaotic. This is where it really feels like a bullet hell game as you dodge numerous projectiles, kill the boss and other veggie predators, all while trying to frantically plant, water and pick up finished crops.
I would love to see more variety in the enemies and bosses that get thrown your way, as it can become repetitive, especially early on when getting used to the mechanics. I love the bosses that I have seen so far but I would love to see multiple bosses per season that could show up and the game randomly select which one you get each run to spice things up. Co-op would also make this game top tier for me as well. Having a buddy join the chaotic mess just seems like it would fit so well. For now, you’ll just have to stick to an AI companion, providing you flirt with them and marry them.
There are a few other things that I would like but this is just coming out in early access so who knows what might change once it is officially released. What I can say for now, is that I am having an atomic blast with this game! For those who are fans of hectic, action packed rougelites, you have got to try this one.
Atomicrops is out now for early access as of September 5th via the Epic Games Store. You can check out the reveal trailer below and pick up the game here. Now get out there and feed those starving villagers!
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