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 and offers a unique gameplay loop that keeps players engaged.
- Charming art style and fun soundtrack that enhance the overall experience.
- The game can be overwhelming and overstimulating at first, making it difficult for new players to grasp the mechanics.
- Some players find the difficulty spikes and RNG elements frustrating, leading to a sense of unfairness in runs.
- The farming mechanics can feel tedious and underdeveloped, especially when trying to manage crops while fighting off enemies.
- grinding498 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "Atomicrops" is a mixed bag, with many players finding the balance between farming and combat to be chaotic and often overwhelming. While some appreciate the unique blend of bullet hell and farming mechanics, others feel that the farming elements are simplistic and can become tedious, especially when combined with the fast-paced action. Overall, the game is seen as more of a roguelike shooter with farming elements rather than a traditional farming simulator, leading to a gameplay experience that can feel rushed and grindy.
“It was a good mix of 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 mechanics are a unique and fun spin on the genre that I highly enjoy.”
“The farming aspect makes for a unique roguelike experience.”
“The farming is a little finicky and takes a little to get the hang of, but there's a lot of fun to be had here.”
- gameplay350 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 rewards strategic thinking and adaptability. Players appreciate the addictive gameplay loop, which combines resource management with intense combat, though some find the mechanics overwhelming and the learning curve steep. While the game features charming visuals and a quirky aesthetic, critiques include repetitive elements and a lack of depth in higher levels, leading to mixed feelings about long-term engagement.
“The game doesn't give you too much information upfront, leaving you with the barest grasp of the mechanics and controls and letting you loose, but once you understand that you should be raiding enemy camps for seeds and items, the rhythm of the game really opens up.”
“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.”
“The core gameplay loop is decent but it just gatekeeps the actual fun and feeling of progression behind an in-game economy that is simply not rewarding enough.”
“Gameplay-wise, the map layout stays the same and generates as generally large plain rectangles, but the random generation occurs in the placement of enemies and their loot all over the map.”
- music204 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its charm, uniqueness, and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many players finding it catchy and memorable. However, some reviewers noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive over time, leading to a desire to adjust the volume or switch to other music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that complements the game's quirky art style and engaging gameplay.
“The music is delightful, and I find myself humming along as I play.”
“The soundtrack is original and awesome, making the feel of the game unique.”
“The art and music are both absolutely phenomenal, giving the game a very distinct cartoon feel.”
“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.”
- graphics152 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming, colorful, and cartoonish pixel art style that many players find delightful and engaging. While some users note that the visuals can be initially overwhelming and occasionally cluttered, the unique art direction and vibrant animations contribute significantly to the game's overall appeal. Overall, the graphics are praised for their creativity and ability to enhance the gameplay experience, despite some mixed feelings about their clarity during intense moments.
“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.”
- replayability68 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game boasts high replayability due to its diverse playstyles, character variety, and challenging difficulty levels, which encourage experimentation and strategic planning. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay loop, permanent upgrades, and achievement hunting that contribute to its addictive nature. While some reviewers noted a need for more content and variety in runs, the overall consensus is that the game offers a wealth of replay value, making it a standout title in the roguelike genre.
“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. The game as a concept is 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.”
- humor44 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky, campy style, featuring a mix of puns, absurd scenarios, and amusing characters that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the unexpected random events and funny graphics, which contribute to a light-hearted atmosphere despite the game's challenging mechanics. The combination of catchy music and humorous elements creates an engaging and entertaining gameplay experience that keeps players coming back for more.
“There's a lot of random events that caught me off guard and were fun and funny.”
“The gameplay is solid, I like the aim sensitivity, the ability to farm, run around, the multiple areas, etc., but there's so much that is unfair about this game it's not even funny.”
“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.”
- story23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 70 % 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 revolves around defending a farm from enemies while managing crops, but this focus on mechanics overshadows any meaningful story, leading to a repetitive experience. Overall, players feel that the absence of a compelling storyline detracts from the game's potential enjoyment.
“The 'day' ends with your garden besieged by waves of enemies, where you defend your plot from being eaten (and, if you're smart, farm concurrently).”
“Moral of the story, you never know what life holds in store for you, and if I would have given up when all the odds were stacked against me, I wouldn't be where I am today.”
“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.”
“Little to no story or the lack thereof.”
“I didn't have a story behind me to remind me why I'm playing.”
“They have very little personality or story of any kind.”
- atmosphere15 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of vibrant art, eccentric music, and engaging gameplay, creating a delightful and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to balance calculated progression with randomness, enhancing the overall mood and tension. The combination of cute graphics, a dynamic soundtrack, and a risk-reward mechanic contributes to a colorful and endearing atmosphere that sets it apart from other titles in the 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.”
“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 development5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted by unique and appreciated artwork and character designs, though some players find certain designs off-putting. 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 and its mechanics may feel limiting compared to other genres. Overall, the visual appeal is strong, but expectations for deeper character engagement may not be fully met.
“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.”
- optimization5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The optimization in Atomicrops is multifaceted, offering various strategies that enhance gameplay, particularly in its matches/runs format. However, players have noted significant performance issues on the Switch during intense moments, prompting some to switch to Steam for a better experience. Additionally, the choice of items can greatly impact performance, with some selections feeling like detrimental downgrades.
“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 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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally impactful, often experiencing deep feelings such as sadness and frustration, particularly when facing setbacks like losing progress. The music enhances the emotional experience, evoking strong memories and creating a wholesome atmosphere that resonates with players.
“If I'm bored and don't know what to play, I play this. My cows got abducted, and I cried. I hear the music in my dreams; someone please send help.”
“It's heartbreaking and discouraging to lose all your progress just because getting beets is incredibly difficult.”
“The soundtrack is really wonderful and creates a surprisingly wholesome farm feel at times.”
- stability3 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 affect gameplay, such as failure to register rewards. Many users express frustration over the game's current state, describing it as a "buggy mess" that detracts from 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.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization in Atomicrops is centered around a special currency that allows players to make permanent upgrades with each run, which enhances the game's viability and replayability.
“The monetization system feels exploitative, pushing players to spend real money for basic upgrades.”
“It's frustrating that progress is locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra.”
“The constant ads and in-game purchases detract from the overall experience, making it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”