From JNG Studio, Project ATOM’s demo was an absolute blast at PAX West 2025!  I had the honor of trying out their game and speaking to Faye, the co-producer. 

Project ATOM is about the world of Totopia, a virtual world on a virtual server. that one day suddenly has an infection appear. Players have been summoned to this world to help combat the Bitrot and to combat End, an enemy born from human negativity. 

The demo itself was a great mix of gameplay that would suit many different kinds of players. There are three main modes: campaign, tournament, and party time. The campaign is the story mode, completing chapter to unlock the lore and characters. The campaign has explorable stages where players are to platform around while defeating enemies. The tournament is a three-round elimination free-for-all, playing various mini games to decide the top player amongst sixteen players. The games felt reminiscent to Fall Guys which was great since I absolutely love playing that game. Party time is a co-op adventure playing various games to eliminate the other teams. It reminded me of Mario Kart with the party mini games. 

But, there’s even more! The characters and their animal partners, atomons, are highly customizable! Faye explained that the key concept of the game was creativity. 

Even from the demo, I was astounded by how well they had integrated the concept. With the customization of players, it truly would create no two similar characters. The options were endless, and Faye was happy to tell me that the demo was just a small taste of what the full release would offer. But not only was the playable character customizable but the atomons too! Atomons could wear different skins which were customizable in color that would also appear in the overworld. Even the appearance of the abilities gained from atomons were changed by these skins. 

The final thing shown to me during this demo was Pulse Avenue. Pulse Avenue is a life simulator similar to Animal Crossing. Players could freely decorate a street with buildings and roads, creating their own Avenue to their liking. The more decorated, the more characters would be attracted to come and visit. 

Now, before I left the demo, Faye had one more little thing to tell me. They were working on a Workshop, a gameplay mode that gave players the ability to create their own stages! Truly, it was the definition of creativity itself instilled with this mode. I’m excited to see what kind of stages this mode will allow players to create. 

I greatly enjoyed my time with Project ATOM, and it was exactly the kind of game I would love to play in full. 

Speaking with Faye, I gained several insights to the game and why it seemed to resonate with me. 

The team had created the game with the intent of making a relaxing, cute game. It was the culmination of elements from other adventure and party games that fell into a similar genre as Project ATOM. Faye explained that she and the rest of the team lived such busy lives that they wanted the game to be a way to relax. 

The team was inspired by childhood toys which is what the art style of the game was built around. I could immediately tell what they meant. The design and art style felt like an animation, like looking at a toy aisle to see the different toys the store had to offer. In face, the biggest challenge the team faced according to Faye was making the adorable atomons. 

Each atomon has a unique appearance and a unique ability, both the atomon itself and the ability it gives to players. Ensuring that no two atomon were alike and that they gave players a good experience in combat was a difficult hurdle to cross. From what I’ve experienced in the demo, the team seems to have done a brilliant job so far! 

Project ATOM is sure to draw many kinds of players together. I’m definitely one of those wish listing this game. Are you interested in this party game mixed with a life simulator? What would be the mode you play on the most? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below or in our Boss Rush Discord! 

Featured Image Source: JNG Studios

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