Billy's Nightmare
- October 26, 2023
- SantaGames
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Billy's Nightmare is a roguelike shooter game, where players use child-based abilities to help Billy combat his nightmares. Unlock outfits, explore with mounts, and play solo or in local and online co-op. ExperiENCE enjoyable gameplay with features like stinky socks and chili breath, and troubleshoot start-up issues by downloading DirectX or extracting .exe files."
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Engaging gameplay with a variety of unique characters, abilities, and a humorous story that resonates with childhood nostalgia.
- Fast-paced action and addictive combat mechanics, making it enjoyable for both short bursts and longer sessions.
- Strong replayability due to diverse outfits and abilities, along with a cooperative mode that enhances the experience.
- Technical issues such as stuttering and inability to play in full screen detract from the overall experience.
- Some costumes and items feel repetitive or lack variation, leading to a sense of sameness in gameplay.
- Cooldowns on abilities can hinder fluid combat, and the game can feel dark or visually basic at times.
- gameplay6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed feedback, with some users finding it tedious after repeated playthroughs, while others praise its smooth mechanics, engaging music, and overall fun experience. The developers have effectively incorporated player feedback, resulting in a polished game that emphasizes whimsical and comedic elements over traditional progression systems. Overall, many players recommend trying the game for its unique charm and enjoyable gameplay.
“I don't normally write reviews for games, but this one is really close to my heart. I just wanted to take a second to give it the praise it deserves. It has come a long way and has so much effort put into it, and the gameplay reflects that. If you're reading this, I strongly recommend you give this game a try.”
“The 2-man dev team did a great job over the years by listening to feedback from their YouTube devlogs and keeping everyone updated on the progress. The game plays super smooth and has awesome music with fun gameplay.”
“Very fun game, great art and references, excellent gameplay experience!”
“Tedious gameplay.”
“Finished the gameplay loop several times.”
“20-minute run times are the norm in this dream world where childlike whimsy meets comedic turbo violence, but maybe even more defining is a de-emphasis on genre tentpole mechanics like builds and progression.”
- story5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The story of the game is well-crafted and consistent, featuring relevant bosses and enemies that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the relatable setting, particularly those with a history of nightmares, and find the narrative engaging, likening it to the charm of "The Binding of Isaac." The tutorial is also highlighted as an effective introduction to the story.
“The world and story are pretty consistent, with relevant bosses and enemies.”
“As someone who had a lot of nightmares as a kid, I can really relate to the setting and story of Billy's Nightmare.”
“It's a great game for people who like Binding of Isaac, featuring a roguelike shooter with a charming art style and story.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While the world and story are consistent, they fail to offer any real emotional impact.”
“The narrative is predictable and doesn't bring anything new to the genre.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its quality and integration, contributing to a smooth gameplay experience alongside engaging sound design. Players appreciate the fantastic soundtrack, which complements the humorous NPCs and diverse bosses, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
“The 2-man dev team did a great job over the years by listening to feedback from their YouTube devlogs and keeping everyone updated on the progress. The game plays super smooth and has awesome music with fun gameplay.”
“Humorous NPCs, an awesome collection of bosses, and a fantastic soundtrack.”
“Great gunplay and sound design, as well as music.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game feature a pixel art style that is generally well-received, though some users feel it can be overly simplistic and could benefit from more detail in certain models and environments. While the charming art style appeals to fans of similar games like "The Binding of Isaac," there are suggestions for additional whimsical elements to enhance the childlike aesthetic. Overall, the graphics are considered cool and reminiscent of old-school designs.
“It's a great game for people who like Binding of Isaac, a roguelike shooter with a charming art style and story.”
“Cool old school graphics.”
“The pixel art style is good, but it sometimes feels a bit basic; however, the game is technically designed well.”
“The pixel art style is generally good, but it sometimes feels too basic. I believe the game could benefit from improved models and environments. I think the game's lack of popularity is partly due to its art style and promotional materials, even though the technical design is solid.”
“The graphics are charming, but they don't quite reach the potential they could have. There are moments where the visuals feel underwhelming compared to what could be achieved.”
“While the game has a childlike aesthetic, it sometimes lacks the detail and polish that would make it truly stand out visually.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its dark yet humorous tone, blending nostalgia with gory themes and featuring amusing NPCs and a captivating soundtrack. Players appreciate the funny storyline and the diverse, entertaining bosses that enhance the overall comedic experience.
“The game takes you on a humorous, dark, and gory ride through a variety of nightmare themes full of childhood nostalgia.”
“Humorous NPCs, an awesome collection of bosses, and a fantastic soundtrack.”
“Funny story.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, highlighting the diverse character equipment and cooperative gameplay as key factors that enhance the experience, especially when playing with friends. While some fans of roguelikes feel it doesn't fully reach the infinite replayability of the genre, they still recognize its potential and enjoyable challenge across levels. Overall, the game is considered to have a solid foundation for replayability.
“The wide selection of character equipment allows for great replayability, and the co-op mode sets it apart from similar titles. It's super fun to play with your friends.”
“I love roguelikes and their infinite replayability. While I say this game isn't quite there in that regard, it's still got a lot of potential.”
“Billy's Nightmare is a game packed with replayability and has the right amount of difficulty for each level.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, often leading to a monotonous gameplay experience that detracts from overall enjoyment.
“The grinding in this game feels incredibly tedious and repetitive.”
“I found the gameplay to be excessively grindy, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“The constant need to grind for resources really detracts from the overall experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game initially presents a lighthearted and cutesy facade, but quickly delves into deeper emotional themes as players engage with the gameplay, challenging their expectations and evoking a more profound emotional response.
“Don't let the seemingly cutesy first impressions fool you; the game dives deep into emotional territory the moment you start playing.”
“The story unfolds in a way that truly tugs at your heartstrings, making you feel a profound connection to the characters.”
“Every choice you make has emotional weight, leading to moments that are both heartbreaking and uplifting.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users note that the game experiences stability issues, with frequent freezes occurring during gameplay, particularly when using active abilities like summons and poisons. This detracts from the overall experience, as players find the fast-paced nature of the game hindered by these interruptions.
