While seeking life on a distant planet, an astronaut discovers that the world is a barren wasteland instead. After a hard landing, he goes in search of his crew and finds evidence that humans were there years ago.

He also comes upon an abandoned Soviet-era Russian town, which makes him question his mission. He wonders whether his light-speed travel sent him back in time, or whether it is some kind of Cold War hoax.

Along the way, he meets Aelita, a Russian woman who can survive the hostile atmosphere. Her footsteps make the soil glow green, and the player must follow these tracks across the planet past deadly threats.