The game takes place in an alternative post-nuclear world in an unnamed part of the former USSR (presumably in the European part). In the game's universe, a nuclear war broke out between the USSR and the USA in 1986. The player takes on the role of a regular member of the secret organization ATOM, which survived the nuclear war and is covertly observing the surrounding world. In 2005, the leadership of ATOM sent the player to search for the expedition of General Morozov, which set out for valuable technologies but lost contact. On the global map, the player can freely move between game locations, the largest of which are the small town of Krasnoznamenny, whose leadership strives to recreate pre-war Soviet realities, and the merchant settlement of Peregon. On the global map, the player may encounter mutant animals, trading caravans, groups of stalkers, bandits, slave traders, adepts of 'destructive sects', as well as visit random locations.
The character development system is closest to the SPECIAL system (Fallout). The main parameters are set when creating the character, and limited opportunities for minor improvements appear only in the later stages of the game. For each level gained, skill points are awarded, which can be used to improve proficiency in various types of weapons, technologies, and social skills, along with special points that can be spent on special abilities.