Atomic Heart: Is the Scanner Tutorial Broken?

Atomic Heart‘s first hurdle is a tutorial. Whatever problems you have while learning how to use the scanner, know that it is (probably) not a bug.

You’ll be forgiven if you’re stumped right from the start of this first-person shooter, available now for PlayStation, Xbox and Windows PC.

How to use the scanner in the Atomic Heart tutorial

How to use the scanner in Atomic HeartOnly Double tap R1 on PlayStation (or RB on Xbox) and hold R1/RB after the second press

The written instructions (“Hold R1 + R1” on PlayStation) read like some kind of tip that tells you to press two different buttons, and the NPC – who only exists to justify the tutorial within the game’s weak fiction – says something to “hold up both hands”.

Given the general flawedness of Atomic Heart, no one would blame you for assuming the text instruction is wrong, or for repeatedly trying to hold down L1 and R1 at the same time instead – one shoulder button for each hand. (This author is guilty as charged.)

How to find items with Atomic Heart’s scanner

Image: Mundfish/Focus Entertainment via Polygon

Atomic HeartThe scanner works similar to most scanners found in most games: it helps you analyze your surroundings. When scanning, objects appear highlighted in overlays of different colors, which the game doesn’t explain:

• Blue indicates chests, drawers, and other containers that contain resources that you can loot.
• Orange indicates enemies. If you hold the scanner over a specific enemy, you can see a list of their resistances and weaknesses, as well as an overview of the loot they drop when defeated. Note that using the scanner does not completely stop time; You are still vulnerable to attacks.
• White displays objects you can interact with – save stations, call buttons for elevators, and so on.
• Purple indicates elements essential to the story. Primarily, Atomic Heart is quite generous with its signposts, but in some rare cases you have to do the work yourself. For example, during the mission “Made in the USSR” you need to find the “Voice, Symbol and Scion of the Motherland”. Activating the scanner will highlight the three items – a radio, a hammer, and a plant – that you need to advance. They’re all in the same room.