Nadia Was Here

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 58 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Nadia Was Here Game Cover
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"Nadia Was Here" is a pixel art adventure game with strategic combat. You play as Nadia, a young thief who discovers her powers in a world on the brink of destruction. Accompany Nadia on her journey to uncover the truth behind her abilities and save her world from chaos. Engage in turn-based battles, solve puzzles, and form bonds with unique characters along the way.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 58 reviews
story18 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • The battle system is innovative and engaging, allowing for strategic gameplay with an active time battle mechanic that can be paused for planning.
  • The game features a variety of well-designed puzzles that are challenging but not frustrating, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The characters are well-developed with unique abilities, and the story, while simple, is enjoyable and complemented by humorous dialogue.
  • The game can feel repetitive and stretched out, with some players finding the combat lacks depth and becomes trivialized over time.
  • The art style and sound design may not appeal to everyone, with some finding the graphics and audio jarring or low-quality.
  • Backtracking can be tedious, and some puzzles may overstay their welcome, leading to frustration in longer dungeons.
  • story38 mentions

    The story is generally well-received, with many players finding it engaging and intriguing, though opinions vary on its depth and complexity. While some appreciate the unique narrative elements and character development, others feel it lacks excitement and could benefit from further elaboration. Overall, the game is praised for its balance of gameplay and story, making it a solid choice for those who prioritize gameplay over narrative depth.

    • “An interesting story with a satisfying conclusion that departs from the usual 'the chosen kids save the world' tropes combined with great puzzle design makes this a solid recommendation.”
    • “The world, its citizens, and the story are all so intriguing that it kept me invested and wanting to learn more as I progressed.”
    • “The story and characters had depth and were engaging.”
    • “If you're playing this game, it's a lot more for the gameplay and less the story.”
    • “Ultimately, I think folks who are interested in this game should try the demo with the combat - if it speaks to you, then grab it. If it doesn't, then it doesn't look like there's a lot else that really goes too far outside the box here. As far as I can tell from my relatively short playtime and other reviews, the dialogue and story didn't exactly draw me in, but maybe it needed some more playtime for that. Even still, the voice of the writing based on the initial characters didn't lead me to believe that would be the case.”
    • “[Nadia was here] the story is not overly complicated.”
  • gameplay28 mentions

    The gameplay in "Nadia Was Here" is a refreshing take on classic turn-based mechanics, featuring well-designed puzzles and innovative combat systems that blend elements of strategy and challenge. Players appreciate the engaging core loop that emphasizes exploration and problem-solving, with generous respawn mechanics that mitigate frustration. Overall, the game prioritizes gameplay over narrative, offering a captivating experience that encourages players to revisit areas and uncover hidden challenges.

    • “Well-designed puzzles, interesting fight mechanics, and lovely worldbuilding.”
    • “Combat is quick and light while still challenging -- you’ll probably die a lot (although luckily not too punishing, as respawns are generous due to autosaving), and there are some interesting and not often seen mechanics at play that turn the battles into something more similar to a combat-puzzle than a typical RPG gear/level check.”
    • “Nadia Was Here has two major gameplay features: the dungeons and the combat, which are both puzzle-based, in my opinion.”
    • “Then when it comes to the gameplay, there are a few small details plus a bigger one.”
    • “Nadia was here has two major gameplay features: the dungeons and the combat, which are both puzzle-based, in my opinion.”
    • “If you're playing this game, it's a lot more for the gameplay and less the story.”
  • music18 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its authentic NES-style chiptune soundtrack, which complements the retro aesthetic and enhances the overall experience. While some players found the music fitting and enjoyable, others noted that it didn't quite match the more varied tracks showcased in the trailers. Overall, the soundtrack is considered solid but not groundbreaking, with a nostalgic charm that appeals to fans of the genre.

    • “The soundtrack is spot on for the authentic sound and has a unique sound to the NES-styled OST.”
    • “You even get the game's soundtrack free, which is pretty good in its own right!”
    • “Instead, I do not think much of the music that I was hearing was like that in the trailers (which play 3 different songs).”
    • “I bought the game over one of the trailers due to the music and the way battles looked, among some other details.”
    • “I love the chiptune music, and something about that weird color palette just draws me in.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    The game is praised for its lack of grinding and random encounters, which allows players to focus on strategy and micromanagement without the tedium often associated with traditional RPGs. Instead of leveling up, progression is achieved through equipment and spell acquisition, making the experience feel fresh despite some areas becoming tedious. Overall, the absence of grinding is seen as a positive aspect, contributing to a unique blend of puzzle and RPG elements.

    • “It never feels like a grind - because there is no grinding.”
    • “Then you better change your strategy because there is no grinding and no levels.”
    • “No random encounters and no grinding (there are no levels to even be gained, just equipment to sometimes steal and spells to learn).”
    • “Combat was an interesting novelty, but the novelty wore thin fast due to the amount of micromanaging needed.”
    • “At the end of each area, they felt tedious to me and I was glad when I was finally done.”
    • “A blend of puzzle/RPG, but without the tedious grinding that other RPGs would have you do to progress the game.”
  • graphics8 mentions

    The graphics feature vibrant and easily readable visuals, characterized by a distinct 8-bit pixel art style that may require some adjustment for new players. While the aesthetic is appealing to those who appreciate retro visuals, it may not be for everyone, making it advisable to consider purchasing during a sale if you're primarily interested in the puzzle elements of the adventure RPG.

    • “Great and easily readable visuals that really pop.”
    • “The graphics are quite special, and it took me a couple of hours to get used to them.”
    • “The graphics and art are very much in the 8-bit pixel style.”
    • “The graphics and art are very much 8-bit pixel.”
    • “If you don't mind the graphics and like puzzles in your adventure RPGs, then do buy this; it's best to wait for a sale though.”
    • “The graphics, however, are quite special, and I needed to get used to them during the first two hours.”
  • humor2 mentions

    Players appreciate the humor in the game, highlighting the distinct personalities of the characters and their unique interactions with NPCs, which contribute to an enjoyable and engaging experience.

    • “I'm enjoying the characters so far; there's some good humor, and the game makes use of each one having their own niche along with having some different interactions with NPCs.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Users note that the Active Time Battle (ATB) system can feel chaotic, but it offers a freeze feature during actions and an option to halve the overall speed, which helps manage gameplay stability.

  • emotional2 mentions

    Users express mixed emotions regarding the game's battle system, feeling it did not meet their expectations set by the trailers, leading to a sense of disappointment.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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