Atlas Reactor

With the exception of custom game modes, matches in Atlas Reactor are 4-on-4, player versus player, turn-based tactics battles. Players can die and respawn indefinitely, but teams win by being the first to five kills or by having the most kills after 20 turns (or more for sudden death overtime). Turns are divided into two modes: Decision Mode and Resolution Mode. In the decision mode, players have 20 seconds to coordinate tactics, select actions, and lock them in.

In the Resolution Mode, these action resolve over four phases: the Prep phase allows for setting traps, placing shields, and casting buff/debuffs before any movement or damage is done; the Dash phase contains all dodges and charges which may deal damage; the Blast phase is for shooting, blasting, and any other stationary attacks, followed by knock-back attacks, which render the targets unable to move during the Move phase; the Move phase allows for player movement after all other actions with more movement granted to those who used no (or free) actions. Within each phase, all players actions are calculated simultaneously but are rendered sequentially for the player. Therefore, a character seen dying before their action will remain standing until it is completed.

Atlas is a megacity populated with humans, hybrids, and robots controlled by powerful Trusts. Freelancers fulfill contracts for their trusts to maintain control over the Atlas Reactor - a technologically advanced energy source that powers the megacity and its inhabitants. There were once thirteen such reactors monitored and controlled by the Global Artificial Intelligence Agent (GAIA). Humanity was in a golden age without poverty, drought, famine, or disease.

Ultimately, they were able to conquer death itself. However, after 150 years of prosperity, GAIA mysteriously departed. This led to a cascading failure of reactors beginning with Tethys and ending with Hyperion thus leaving Atlas as the only reactor on the planet. As is always the case when resources are limited, war broke out.

According to lead designer Will Cook, the game's concept draws inspiration from XCOM: Enemy Unknown, League of Legends, and tabletop games such as Warhammer 40,000. The designers’ ultimate question was, “How do you make a turn-based game where you’re playing more than you’re waiting?” Within two days, executive producer Peter Ju created a playable prototype in the Unity game engine.

Atlas Reactor has been well received by critics, with aggregate review websites GameRankings and Metacritic assigning scores of 79.89% and 81/100, respectively.

GameSpot gave it an 8/10 and called it "Unique and fresh." Redbull eSports said that the game, "has everything it takes to turn heads in the competitive space," and GameHyped called it, "the breath of fresh air esports has been hoping for."