Lost Nova

About

Lost Nova is a single player open world simulation game. It was developed by Jon Nielsen and was released on May 11, 2022. It received very positive reviews from players.

Lost Nova is a real-time strategy game set in a distant galaxy. As the commander of a space fleet, players must explore, gather resources, and battle against alien forces to survive. With a focus on tactical combat and base building, Lost Nova offers a challenging and immersive experience for fans of the genre.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

+16

Skip User Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 316 reviews

story34 positive mentions

grinding39 negative mentions

The game offers a charming and relaxing experience with a delightful art style and engaging characters.
The gameplay is simple yet satisfying, allowing players to explore, gather resources, and complete quests at their own pace.
It conveys a wholesome message about self-care and taking breaks, making it a feel-good adventure.

The game is relatively short, with many players finishing the main story in about 4-6 hours, leading to concerns about replay value.
Some mechanics, such as the energy system and jumping controls, can feel clunky and frustrating at times.
A few achievements require tedious grinding or have low chances of occurrence, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.

story
117 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
68%
3%
The game's story is characterized by its charming and whimsical characters, offering a light-hearted narrative that emphasizes themes of mindfulness and taking life at a slower pace. While the main storyline is relatively short, typically taking around 4-6 hours to complete, it is complemented by engaging side quests and a pleasant atmosphere that encourages exploration. Players appreciate the wholesome messages and emotional depth woven into the dialogue, making it a delightful experience despite some critiques regarding its simplicity and pacing.
- “The unexpectedly real life lessons that shine through this well-written dialogue and storyline will leave you thinking about your own life and how you can treat yourself better moving forward.”
- “This game was an amazing surprise to come across being filled with fun characters, beautiful artwork, and a memorable storyline!”
- “The story is just so beautiful, I loved every part of it.”
- “The story is meh.”
- “I felt like the story took a back seat to the resource collection, and that was a shame.”
- “While the art is clearly detailed, the mechanics and story are haphazardly hurried along like this whole game was made in an overly-inspired frenzy.”
gameplay
74 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
51%
7%
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simple mechanics and resource-gathering loops, offering a cozy and engaging experience, though some players find it repetitive and grindy. While the art style and humor are praised, the controls can be clunky, particularly the jumping mechanics, and the overall gameplay length is relatively short, averaging around 3-5 hours. Despite its simplicity, the game manages to deliver a charming and relaxing adventure, appealing to those looking for a casual gaming experience.
- “Simple, but with enough to do, different mechanics, sweet ever-changing details and funny dialogue, quite a few secrets to find.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, and the story is fairly contained!”
- “The art style is adorable, the dialogue is sweet and funny, and the gameplay is chill while still being engaging.”
- “The gameplay is agonizingly slow.”
- “It's fine and occasionally amusing, but the gameplay itself is quite grindy, and the exploration isn't particularly well handled.”
- “Movement speed is a mechanic in the game, meaning that at times you're just walking, quite slowly, through quite a lot of terrain that holds nothing of interest to you.”
graphics
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
31%
6%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and vibrant art style, which features a delightful pixel art aesthetic that comes to life in motion. Players appreciate the unique color schemes and whimsical designs of the characters and environments, contributing to a cozy and engaging atmosphere. While some users noted minor visual issues, the overall consensus is that the graphics enhance the game's appeal and complement its relaxing gameplay and narrative.
- “Art: I was originally not sure about the pixel art style in the still images, but it’s really lovely in motion. It works super well for the game, as do the beautiful color schemes and soundtracks that do a lot to differentiate the different biomes you explore.”
- “Equally good, or perhaps even better, is the artwork: the planet is full of whimsical creatures, one more charming than the other. Taken as if they were born in a children’s book, the smiling apples, the chubby bunnies, the star-decorated trees, and the giant snoring radish are all bound to melt your heart with their undeniable cuteness.”
- “The visuals fixed themselves after leaving and re-entering the area.”
- “Some visuals are small, but I generally found the controls fairly intuitive and worked well on deck.”
- “The graphics and models are very lovingly designed.”
music
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
43%
6%
The music in the game is widely praised for its soothing, catchy, and relaxing qualities, often compared to the beloved soundtrack of "Stardew Valley." Reviewers appreciate how the soundtrack enhances the overall experience, complementing the vibrant art style and charming characters, making it a delightful backdrop for gameplay. Many players find the music not only enjoyable but also a perfect way to unwind, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The music is soothing but upbeat.”
- “The music is lovely - very Stardew Valley in places.”
- “The soundtrack is brilliantly made and I have to give credit to the artist, thanks for making me cry.”
- “There is very little to actually do here, and the game relies much more on cutesy art and dialogue (with some solid music to be fair) to draw in players than an actually fun game.”
- “Outstanding features include the ridiculously catchy soundtrack and the pretty graphics, but even though there were some nice moments involving characters, there could have been more.”
- “The first time I played through the Room Woods and listening to the soundtrack made me feel so nostalgic to a game I played for the first time.”
grinding
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
98%
The reviews indicate that "grinding" in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it enjoyable and not overly taxing, others feel it becomes tedious, especially when pursuing achievements. Many note that the game features a fair amount of resource gathering and repetitive tasks, particularly in the postgame, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. However, the game's charm and relaxed vibe make the grinding more palatable for some, especially those looking for a casual experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Other than grinding out currency late game (two hours in), there's just not really that much to see or do.”
- “It would take another couple of hours to get the last two achievements, but they are just stupidly grindy and I'm not enjoying the core gameplay loop enough to bother.”
- “The gameplay is easy, but it feels tedious as it gets old quick.”
emotional
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome storyline, relatable characters, and a strong focus on mental health themes, which resonate deeply with players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine feelings, from joy to nostalgia, while delivering heartwarming messages about self-care and community. Overall, it offers a cozy and uplifting experience that leaves players feeling emotionally invested and satisfied.
- “But then, slowly, I noticed that it was kind of touching on some mental health topics and it was doing it right.”
- “Towards the end, you will be so emotionally invested in the main character, Mia, and all of those creatures you helped that you'll find yourself not wanting this wonderful game to end.”
- “It has a lovely, wholesome vibe, with great messages about self-care and burnout, creative or otherwise.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally described as light, cute, and engaging, with many players appreciating the funny dialogue and charming characters. While some found the humor to be a bit unexciting or cringe-worthy at times, the overall consensus is that the witty interactions and clever writing contribute to a wholesome and enjoyable experience. Many players enjoyed sharing the humorous moments with friends, highlighting the game's ability to evoke laughter and create a comfortable vibe.
- “Really fun, funny dialogue, and works great on the Steam Deck.”
- “The characters are cute and the dialogue is funny; I ended up streaming it for friends because I kept reading them some of the dialogue and they were like, 'This is great, we gotta see this.'”
- “The writing had me in stitches the whole time; it really clicks with my sense of humor and is just silly, fun, and satisfying.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
Overall, the game's replayability is widely criticized, with many users noting a lack of diverse side tasks and repetitive minigames, leading to a consensus that it offers minimal to zero replay value. While some quests provide opportunities for currency farming, the overall experience is deemed too short and not worth full price, suggesting players should consider purchasing it on sale.
- “There's also plenty of replayable quests such as hunting down a bear's lost kids that ensure it's always possible to get more currency if you need it.”
- “It's good for fans of Forager, though I'm not sure how good the replay value would be.”
- “I'd pick it up on sale but not full price considering the lack of replay value.”
- “There is literally 0% replayability since there are not many different side tasks you can do, and the only replayable things could be the minigames, but those get repetitive pretty quickly.”
- “I'd recommend getting this, maybe on sale due to how short it is and having zero replayability.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is largely praised for its cozy and peaceful environment, enhancing the enjoyment of exploration and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the wholesome vibe and the opportunity for leisurely gameplay, although some note that the fast-paced elements can disrupt a steady sense of progression and immersion. Overall, it offers a satisfying blend of tranquility and quirky challenges.
- “The cozy atmosphere created a peaceful environment, and the unique puzzles kept my attention.”
- “A very satisfying resource collecting and exploration game with a wholesome atmosphere.”
- “This is a game for people who want a chill atmosphere and a few quirky mini-games hidden to earn some extra cash in the game; just enjoy looking in every nook and cranny and know that this is the kind of game that gives you even more to do when it's over.”
- “The speed itself makes the game somewhat exhilarating in a unique way, but at the same time, it also means there is no steady sense of progression or atmosphere because things happen so fast.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers praise the character design and the immersive world, indicating that the visual aspects significantly enhance the overall character development experience.
- “Absolutely loved the character design and world.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
- “I appreciate how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”