Atomicrops
- September 17, 2020
- Bird Bath Games
- 41h median play time
Atomicrops is an action-packed rogue-like farming simulator crossed with a frenetic twin-stick shooter. It is filled with good humour and some interesting systems, but the perma-death feels a little out of sorts with the idea of growing things.
Mow-down at the hoedown! Pack your bags and move to the idyllic countryside. Pay no heed to the nuclear fallout – it adds a lovely glow to your complexion! Upsides – everyone wants a piece of you! Downsides – everyone wants a piece of you... Grab your blunderbuss and get ready for twin-stick, bullet-hell, roguelite, corn-chuckin' action game that will last until the cows come home! As any se…
Reviews
- Very interesting mash up of genres, combining bullet hell and chaotic farming sim elements that work well together.
- The game is highly addictive with a charming art style and engaging gameplay loop, keeping players coming back for more.
- Offers a unique experience with plenty of replayability, as each run feels different due to random upgrades and character abilities.
- The game can be overwhelming and overstimulating at first, with a steep learning curve that may frustrate new players.
- Some players find the difficulty spikes to be unfair, especially in later years where enemy attacks can feel relentless.
- The farming mechanics can feel tedious and rushed, with limited time to manage crops while also dealing with constant enemy threats.
- grinding997 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Atomicrops" is a mixed bag, with many players finding the repetitive nature of farming and combat to be both engaging and tedious. While some appreciate the chaotic blend of farming and bullet-hell mechanics, others feel that the game leans too heavily on combat, leaving little room for meaningful farming experiences. Overall, the grind can feel overwhelming and frustrating, especially when trying to balance farming tasks with constant enemy attacks, leading to a gameplay loop that may not satisfy those seeking a traditional farming simulator.
“It was a good mix of if Binding of Isaac and Stardew Valley had a baby, which is pretty crazy when you think about it, with a roguelite progression that overall wasn't too grindy.”
“It got straight to the point, no tediousness or artificial scarcity.”
“The farming and roguelike-shooter aspects feel less than half-baked: farming lacks the satisfying cycle of sowing and harvesting in each session; it resembles more of a tower defense game, but even in that area, it doesn't achieve satisfaction.”
“You need to harvest a lot of crops to get enough of in-game currency to get to them so the early game of a run is so tedious and obnoxious and the end game is super easy and that's just ass backwards for me.”
“The farming aspect of the game is simple and enjoyable but the game tries everything to stop you from enjoying it.”
- gameplay700 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Atomicrops is a unique blend of bullet hell action and farming simulation, offering a fast-paced, chaotic experience that emphasizes multitasking and strategic depth. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop, vibrant art style, and engaging mechanics, though some find the learning curve steep and the farming elements can become tedious over time. Overall, the game is praised for its fun, challenging gameplay and replayability, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.
“Fun and challenging gameplay with endless replayability.”
“Atomicrops excels in creating an addictive gameplay loop that is both challenging and immensely satisfying.”
“The fast-paced combat keeps you on your toes, while the farming mechanics provide a satisfying sense of progression and customization.”
“The game just drops you into it, with a 2-minute tutorial that doesn't even explain some of the finer mechanics like mega crops, what roses are for, how to heal, etc.”
“Simply put, the farming mechanic is really tedious after a couple of runs and it gets old fast.”
“The gameplay here feels punitive and borderline mean-spirited which I doubt the developers intended.”
- music408 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in Atomicrops is widely praised for its quirky and catchy nature, effectively complementing the game's unique blend of farming and roguelite mechanics. While many players find the soundtrack delightful and memorable, some note that it can become repetitive over time, leading to mixed feelings about its longevity. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's charm and atmosphere.
“The music is delightful, and I find myself humming along as I play.”
“The art, the music, the chaos... pure delight.”
“Amazing soundtrack!!”
“Only real complaint is that the music can get grating on your 20th run and don't be surprised if you are reaching for that music slider to shut it up.”
“The music is strange and sounds unappealing at first.”
“I've never heard such repulsive, annoying, terrible music in a video game.”
- graphics304 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a vibrant, cartoonish art style that many players find charming and engaging, despite some initial overstimulation and clutter. The pixel art is praised for its uniqueness and detail, contributing to a whimsical atmosphere that complements the gameplay. However, some players note that the visuals can become overwhelming, making it difficult to track action during intense moments. Overall, the art style is a significant highlight, enhancing the game's quirky and chaotic nature.
“The art style and world/background is wonderfully realized too and when you take the time to stop and look at things there's so much charm to it.”
“The pixel art style is visually stunning, and the quirky characters and creatures add so much charm to the game.”
“The art style is quirky, robust, and oozes character from every pore, something the videos up above communicate well.”
“Graphics cause eyesore after a while especially with all the stuff happening on your screen.”
“Sometimes it can be difficult to understand what is happening with the sounds and visuals though, as so much can go on at once.”
“I also have to point out that I really don't like the art style.”
- replayability136 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game boasts exceptional replayability, driven by its diverse playstyles, character variety, and a rewarding upgrade system that encourages experimentation. Players appreciate the combination of farming mechanics and bullet hell action, alongside consistent updates and challenges that enhance longevity. While some reviewers noted a need for more content variety, the overall consensus is that the game offers endless fun and replay value, making it highly addictive.
“Items, weapons, and characters have a huge impact on playstyle, offering a lot of replayability and variety. Escalating difficulties keep the game challenging and add longevity, while the music, pixel art, and humor are very charming, making the game concept wholly unique.”
“Its rewarding gameplay loop, deep upgrade system, and character variety make it a standout title with hours of replayability.”
“Combines the time- and resource-management of a farming simulator and the hectic action of a bullet hell - in an action roguelite mold that makes the game addictive and replayable.”
“If there was more variety in how runs played out, it would be much more replayable.”
“The only drawback is that the run replayability is not as high as it should be for a roguelike, and it takes a while before you actually start to get unlocks that make future runs better, as most of the possible unlocks are kind of superfluous.”
“The game isn't extremely randomized, but it does have some solid replayability and unlock progression, although a decent amount of the upgrades are really boring and tiny statistic increases.”
- humor88 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, campy style, filled with puns and unexpected random events that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the amusing art and characters, as well as the light-hearted tone that contrasts with the game's challenging mechanics. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, making it a delightful and entertaining adventure.
“Addicting gameplay and hilarious music to which I just had to 'sing' along to.”
“Overall, there are so many funny and silly things happening in this post-apocalyptic wasteland, undoubtedly making the adventure more light-hearted than the gameplay suggests.”
“It's like if Stardew Valley took a bunch of meth, banged the lord of bullet hell and gave birth to this hilarious mutant... and -- for some reason -- I'm super into it.”
- story46 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its minimal presence, with many players noting a lack of narrative depth or character development. The gameplay focuses more on managing farming tasks while defending against enemies, leading to a repetitive experience that feels disconnected from any meaningful story progression. Overall, players find the absence of a compelling story detracts from the game's potential, making it feel more like a series of tasks rather than a cohesive adventure.
“The 'day' ends with your garden sieged by waves of enemies, where you defend your plot from being eaten (and, if you're smart, farm concurrently).”
“Without a successful harvest, you won't reap nearly as many rewards, but a max season nets you multiple goodies that further aid you in your quest for the next season and combat purposes.”
“You run around clearing 'camps' and then defending and working a farm plot at night all to fight a boss at the end of each season and then the run.”
“Little to no story or the lack thereof.”
“I didn't have a story behind me to remind me why I'm playing.”
“For a game that's plot is based around farming, you do very little farming; the days are incredibly short and are also the only time you can explore, so you have to choose if you want to farm and get money or explore and get power-ups and seeds.”
- atmosphere30 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of vibrant art, eccentric music, and engaging gameplay, creating a colorful and endearing experience. Reviewers highlight the effective combination of visual and audio elements that contribute to a dynamic and sometimes tense environment, particularly during the roguelike mechanics of resource gathering and farming. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both distinctive and immersive, making it a standout in its genre.
“The atmosphere of this game is unique and no other game can even think of replicating such atmosphere.”
“Top notch atmosphere, with a goofy yet well-designed visual and audio styles, and a great OST to entertain you even after you're done with the game!”
“Atomicrops makes any season fly by with a funny but tense atmosphere as you try to think out your plan to gather your resources from the adjacent 'wild' zones during the day, and returning to your farm to plant, protect and prosper with a limited time period of about two minutes every day (which can be lengthened with items, upgrades, or buffs).”
“While I understand that this can help craft a more dynamic experience and further contribute to the atmosphere, I feel like the borderline necessity of these animals is still frustrating nonetheless due to the fact that they're being put at such a steep disadvantage regardless, as I feel that in these sorts of games, the other items should feel more like things to improve your chances of winning or at least do something interesting, rather than being practically a requirement.”
“I will say, this game is probably not a great pick for someone who digs farming sims for the relaxing, slow-paced atmosphere.”
“Atmosphere/mood…………………………………………………………………⭐⭐⭐⭐/☆ (4/5) - a cumulative combination of the music, bosses, crop animations, and more, the game accomplishes its mood quite well.”
- character development10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 30 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by unique and appreciated artwork and character designs, though some designs may be off-putting to players. While the animations and visual elements are praised, there is a desire for more freedom and exploration, as the game's focus on a single location (crops) limits character growth opportunities. Overall, the visuals are engaging, but some players feel the gameplay mechanics detract from a more fulfilling character experience.
“The artwork and character designs are also unique and appreciated.”
“The animations and character designs are fantastic, I love the soundtrack.”
“The art and character design is wonderful.”
“Some of the character designs are off-putting and being tethered to one location (your crops) is less fun than the freedom that comes with exploration in other games.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The optimization in Atomicrops is engaging, offering various strategies that enhance gameplay, particularly in its match/run format. However, players have reported significant performance issues on the Switch during hectic moments, prompting some to switch to the Steam version for a better experience. Additionally, selecting the wrong item builds can negatively impact performance, adding a layer of complexity to the optimization process.
“Feeds my action brain goblins and my farming optimization brain goblins.”
“You're a farmer that is supposed to supply your village with crops and food in exchange for currency, and at the end of the season, the mayor throws a party where he evaluates your performance (the more food and the quality of it, the more extra bonuses you get).”
“I bought it on Steam because the performance on Switch is unplayable when things get very hectic.”
“If you choose the wrong 'build' as you pick up items, some items can feel like a real downgrade to your performance.”
“There's plenty of optimization strategies like this to play around in Atomicrops, and the matches/runs format really helps this.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, often feeling heartbroken over setbacks like losing progress or having their cows abducted. The soundtrack enhances this emotional experience, evoking feelings of nostalgia and creating a wholesome atmosphere, despite the frustrations encountered during gameplay.
“It's heartbreaking and discouraging to lose all your progress just because getting beets is stupidly difficult.”
“The soundtrack as well is really wonderful, and creates a surprisingly wholesome farm feel at times.”
“If I'm bored and don't know what to play, I play this; my cows got abducted, I cried, I hear the music in my dreams, someone please send help.”
- stability6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been criticized for its significant stability issues, with players reporting numerous bugs that hinder gameplay, such as failure to register rewards. Many users have expressed frustration, indicating that the game feels like a "buggy mess" and requires urgent fixes to improve the overall experience.
“The game is not okay, and until they fix this insane buggy mess of an update, DLC, and new rework.”
“It's buggy in that it doesn't count all the rewards you pick up.”
“I had bought and returned three other games that same day because the gameplay was uninteresting or the game was just too buggy.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization in Atomicrops is centered around a special currency that allows players to make permanent upgrades with each run, which some users find enhances the game's viability and replayability.