As an unexpected continuation of my series of roguelike articles, today I’ll be talking about Atomicrops. Atomicrops is a hectic twin-stick shooter, meaning the player looks down from above and walks with one stick while aiming with the other. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic farm setting, with the player having witnessed a nuclear explosion immediately after the tutorial, while literally reading to a relative mention how nothing bad ever happens in the area. Because of the radiation, all of the crops are mutants, rabbits and other monstrosities roam the wastelands, and the people left alive require their harvests.

The gameplay is possibly the most chaotic form of roguelike I’ve ever seen. Each day lasts only a couple of minutes, allowing for only a quick search through one of the biomes at your disposal, starting with 2 open with a total of 8 explorable. Enemies are scattered everywhere, guarding goods at different camps, requiring you to wipe out all of the flagged enemies before collecting the valuables. Back on your farm, it’s time to till soil, cut weeds, and plant your seeds, while defending from the odd few moles during the day. At night, it’s a different story. For maximum efficiency in higher difficulties, players are all but required to weed-eat, sow, defend, harvest, and dodge, all at the same time. It’s a lot to keep up with, but with proper planning, it can be done.

Other than the life on the farm, players are granted solace back at town, where weapons and supplies can be purchased, bachelors and bachelorettes can be wooed, and, at the end of each month, harvest festivals will be held. The slower segments of the game allow the player some time to enjoy the odd visuals and bumpkin-esque music of the game, which both add to the sheer absurdity of both the concept and the gameplay.

All in all, Atomicrops is an excellent roguelike for the more advanced players, with visuals and themes almost aiming to lure in the less experienced more so. It’s definitely one of the better roguelikes, however it may not be the best starting place.