Lost Nova

About

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 Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+16

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 289 reviews

story31 positive mentions

grinding35 negative mentions

The game features charming visuals and a delightful art style that enhances the overall experience.
It offers a relaxing gameplay experience with a heartwarming story that emphasizes the importance of taking breaks and self-care.
The characters are quirky and engaging, with humorous dialogue that adds to the enjoyment of the game.

The game is relatively short, taking around 4 to 7 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
Certain achievements can be grindy and frustrating, particularly one that requires a low spawn rate NPC encounter.
The controls, especially for jumping, can be sensitive and may feel awkward on a controller compared to keyboard and mouse.

story
111 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
69%
3%
The game's story is praised for its wholesome and reflective themes, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and taking life at a slower pace. While the narrative is generally simple and straightforward, it features charming characters and engaging quests that contribute to a relaxing gameplay experience. However, some players noted that the story could feel a bit short or simplistic, with a few repetitive quests, yet many found it enjoyable and emotionally resonant.
- “Great story to make you reflect on your work/life balance, and urges you to take time and enjoy the world.”
- “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.”
- “The story is just so beautiful, I loved every part of it.”
- “I finished the story, and while I could try to 100% the achievements, I wasn't invested enough to play more.”
- “The story is meh.”
- “I felt like the story took a back seat to the resource collection, and that was a shame.”
gameplay
71 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
6%
The gameplay is characterized as a fun and cozy experience, featuring simple mechanics that are easy to grasp, such as resource gathering and upgrades. While the core gameplay loop can feel repetitive and grindy at times, it remains engaging and is complemented by charming visuals and a positive message about relaxation. Overall, players appreciate the smooth controls and the balance of mechanics, making it a satisfying, albeit short, adventure.
- “Short and sweet cozy game with a nice progression system and gameplay loop in addition to a good message about the need for breaks, rest, and relaxation in order to do our best.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, and the story is fairly contained!”
- “Amazing visuals, great story and interesting gameplay!”
- “The gameplay is grind.”
- “The gameplay to begin with is agonizingly slow.”
- “It's fine and occasionally amusing, but the gameplay itself is quite grindy, and the exploration isn't particularly well handled.”
graphics
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
29%
6%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming and colorful art style, which evokes a cozy and whimsical atmosphere reminiscent of children's storybooks. Many players appreciate the distinct and appealing visuals, alongside the engaging music and fun character designs, although some note that the graphics may not be enough to elevate the overall experience for everyone. Overall, the aesthetic is described as delightful and fitting for a relaxed gaming experience.
- “The art style is really gorgeous and the colors are just cheerful all the way through.”
- “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, the giant snoring radish are all bound to melt your heart with their undeniable cuteness.”
- “Everything from the art style, music, and characters you meet along the way bring this adventure to life.”
- “The graphics and models are very lovingly designed.”
- “The visuals fixed themselves after leaving and re-entering the area.”
- “---{ graphics }---”
music
44 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
41%
7%
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 music enhances the overall experience, contributing to the game's charming atmosphere and vibrant art style. Many express a desire to listen to the soundtrack outside of gameplay, highlighting its effectiveness in creating a calming and enjoyable environment.
- “The music is lovely - very Stardew Valley in places.”
- “The music is calming and nice to listen to even if I am not actively playing the game.”
- “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 music is soothing but upbeat.”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
97%
The reviews indicate that "grinding" is a significant aspect of the game, with many players noting that it can feel tedious and repetitive, especially when pursuing achievements or resources. While some appreciate the game's charm and find the grinding manageable within the context of exploration and farming, others express frustration with the amount of time spent on grinding, particularly in the late game. Overall, the game offers a mix of enjoyable gameplay and grindy elements, which may appeal to some players but deter others seeking a more streamlined 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.”
- “It's fine and occasionally amusing, but the gameplay itself is quite grindy, and the exploration isn't particularly well handled.”
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, pressure-free experience that leaves players feeling emotionally invested and uplifted.
- “But then, slowly, I noticed that it was 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
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is generally described as light, cute, and often funny, with clever dialogue and relatable characters that enhance the overall experience. While some players found the jokes and interactions to be delightful and engaging, others noted that the humor could be inconsistent and occasionally cringe-worthy. Overall, the game is praised for its charming writing and wholesome comedic moments, making it a fun and enjoyable experience.
- “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
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
29%
43%
The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with some players appreciating the availability of certain quests for currency, while others criticize the lack of diverse side tasks and repetitive minigames, leading to a consensus of minimal to zero replay value. Overall, many recommend the game primarily for its initial experience rather than for extended play.
- “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.”
- “There is literally 0% replayability since there aren't 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.”
- “Probably close to zero replayability for me.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
The atmosphere of the game is generally described as cozy and enjoyable, providing a peaceful environment that enhances the exploration and puzzle-solving experience. Players appreciate the wholesome vibe and the opportunity for leisurely exploration, although some note that the fast-paced elements can disrupt a steady sense of progression and immersion. Overall, it caters to those seeking a chill gaming experience with quirky mini-games.
- “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
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers praise the character design and the immersive world, indicating that the character development is visually appealing and contributes positively to the overall experience.
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form a genuine connection with each character.”
- “I was amazed at how the characters evolved throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
- “The choices you make truly affect the characters' growth, leading to a unique experience for every player.”