Nauticrawl
- September 23, 2021
- Armor Games Studios
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Apple Store"Nauticrawl" is a challenging game where you must operate a mysterious, advanced vehicle while evading pursuing forces in a crushing atmosphere. With a complicated UI, you must experiment with pulling levers, redirecting power, and hacking devices to ensure your survival. Many have died trying to do what you're doing, but with determination and experimentation, you may just make it out alive. The game is now available in multiple languages including English, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Chinese, and Russian.
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Mac OS
PC
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Reviews
- Nauticrawl offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to explore and experiment with a complex machine without any hand-holding.
- The game features a satisfying progression system where players learn through trial and error, making each success feel rewarding.
- The atmosphere and sound design are exceptional, enhancing the feeling of isolation and tension as players navigate a hostile environment.
- The game is relatively short, with many players completing it in just a few hours, leading to concerns about replayability.
- Some players may find the initial learning curve frustrating, as the game provides little guidance on how to operate the machine.
- Once players master the controls, the challenge diminishes significantly, which may detract from the overall experience for some.
- gameplay56 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique blend of mechanical puzzle-solving and exploration, where players gradually master the controls of a nauticrawler. While the initial learning curve can be challenging and engaging, many players find that once the mechanics are understood, the gameplay becomes overly simplistic and lacks depth, leading to a less rewarding experience. Despite its intriguing narrative and atmosphere, the game is relatively short and may leave players wanting more in terms of complexity and replayability.
“The mechanics made me feel like I'm piloting an ancient machine crawler, and the story was well written.”
“Recommended for people who like tinkering, trial-and-error, and immersive experiences that rely more on narrative and fun gameplay mechanics than flashy action and graphics.”
“What I got out of it was an excellent 5 hours of puzzle solving and mystery unraveling that had such a good impression I was left wanting more in both gameplay and lore by the time I was done with it.”
“The moment-to-moment gameplay loop becomes pretty thin and uninteresting.”
“After that, the core gameplay loop is tedious and boring, enough to where I didn't feel like continuing the game to a conclusion.”
“As I understand it, this decision was made as a result of playtesters facing unreasonable difficulty, which does make perfect sense, but I feel that the game being turn-based has also limited the gameplay, brought about a total lack of challenge to the game once you make certain discoveries about recharging the battery, and, because of this, made the game much less of a roguelike as intended.”
- story42 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, praised for its intriguing and immersive narrative that unfolds through logs and environmental interactions, creating a rich world despite a minimal cast of characters. While some players found the storytelling sparse and occasionally unresolved, many appreciated the cohesive and engaging plot that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the narrative is seen as a strong aspect of the game, encouraging exploration and discovery, with a desire for more content in potential future updates.
“The story is intriguing and understated.”
“The story is very good; the developers know how to deliver a lot of backstory with very little text.”
“Almost feels like an escape game, intriguing story, immersive, and neat gameplay.”
“The story is extremely sparse, and it opens some parentheses (e.g. meeting the sky merchant) which it doesn't always close.”
“There wasn't much intrigue, and no real story hooks either.”
“The story and setting are delivered sparsely through a brief introduction and in-game notes or interactions.”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, enhanced by exceptional sound design and a mysterious narrative. Players appreciate the unique worldbuilding and the sense of isolation and tension it creates, making it a compelling experience, especially when played with headphones in a dark setting. Overall, the game successfully evokes a rich, atmospheric environment that draws players into its intriguing and often oppressive world.
“I feel like it was inevitable that I enjoyed Nauticrawl; a bite-sized and tactile play experience, thick atmosphere, a mysterious world and narrative, impeccable sound design, great music.”
“The atmosphere is perfect, with the sound design deserving an extra nod for how well it captures the workings of the machine.”
“The atmosphere and ambiance is subtle but very effective, and the world you're in is mysterious and unique.”
“However, if you'll forgive me, the atmosphere of the game did appropriately convey the sense of being locked in a tin can under constant threat of death, and I had a good time with it.”
“I find myself comparing Nauticrawl to experiences like Capsule and the crunchier chapters of Stories Untold, and it doesn’t quite manage to match the atmosphere those games do.”
“I’d call this a wise choice overall, to ensure that exploration leads to progress even without mastery of the interface, but it does hasten the end of the mystery and leave me longing for a bit more atmosphere or narrative intrigue.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with many players noting its short length and straightforward mechanics. While the core gameplay can be enjoyable, there is a consensus that once completed, the game lacks significant incentives to revisit, making it feel more like a one-time experience rather than a title with lasting replay value.
“I would love to see the developer's 'hard mode' (real-time, heat and other mechanics intertwined) to give it a bit more replay value.”
“As a note, this game is not a mechanically deep roguelike with huge replay value, and it does not need to be.”
“That isn't to say you aren't getting a full game here, but be aware that there is not a lot of replay value here when you're done.”
“It's an amazing proof-of-concept... but if you're looking for replay value... there isn't a lot for you here.”
“So the game is not very replayable, and quite short.”
“The only downside with the game is that once you understand it, it's really short/easy and there's currently no replay value.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their clean detail and charming retro-futuristic aesthetic, reminiscent of classic steampunk designs. While some users noted minor glitches and a desire for more immersive world-building, the overall visual experience is considered pleasant and effective in supporting the narrative. The game demonstrates that compelling gameplay and storytelling can thrive even without cutting-edge graphics.
“Graphics were clean and detailed, and I liked the lore that you get to pick up along the way too.”
“Visually, the game has a charming retro-futuristic aesthetic, and calls to mind the steampunk design of Captain Nemo's Nautilus depicted in the classic film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or even the lunar lander pod from the film First Man in the Moon.”
“This is a very interesting game that shows, once again, that you can create an immersive world without the most epic 3D graphics.”
“Things could have been a bit more involved in the world building and the graphics/imagery department, but then again, the developers did a great job leaving things up to the imagination in a way that felt satisfying in its own right.”
“Entering a game knowing that your graphical interface is static and the world beyond it is left to your own imagination is something that doesn't come around too often in today's gaming culture.”
“Recommended for people who like tinkering, trial-and-error, and immersive experiences that rely more on narrative and fun gameplay mechanics than flashy action and graphics.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is largely viewed as tedious and unengaging, with players feeling that the core gameplay loop detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the short playtime, many find the mechanics frustratingly slow and lacking in rewarding progression, leading to a sense of isolation and boredom. In contrast, other games in the genre manage to balance complexity with engaging gameplay, making the grinding feel less punishing.
“After that, the core gameplay loop is tedious and boring, enough to where I didn't feel like continuing the game to a conclusion.”
“Wow, nothing has ever been so tedious and time-consuming for no reason.”
“I pilot this thing easily, but what am I supposed to do, and why is it all so slow and tedious?”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in Nauticrawl is praised for its impeccable sound design and atmospheric quality, enhancing the game's mysterious world and narrative. However, some users note that the soundtrack is limited, featuring only a few tracks that appear during key story moments. Overall, the music contributes positively to the immersive experience, despite its scarcity.
“I feel like it was inevitable that I enjoyed Nauticrawl; a bite-sized and tactile play experience, thick atmosphere, a mysterious world and narrative, impeccable sound design, great music.”
“- Great atmosphere and soundtrack as you cruise around in your little craft.”
“Some of the art has been done by someone else, and music is made by David Orr of Sonny fame (remember Newgrounds? Heh).”
“There isn't much of a soundtrack to speak of, save for a few scant tracks that make their appearance during certain story beats.”
“Some of the art has been done by someone else, and the music is made by David Orr of Sonny fame (remember Newgrounds? Heh).”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is inconsistent, with reports of UI stuttering and unsmooth performance even on lower settings, despite achieving 60 fps. While midgame mechanics can become more manageable, certain gameplay elements feel unbalanced and can detract from the overall experience, particularly after a challenging early game.
“The midgame is pretty gentle once you master optimized cloaking, but it can be inconsistent. For example, the Nauticrawl can't die in zeppelin mode from radiation or crashing into the magmatic sea, and hypercharge mode just restarts the launch sequence if it becomes unbalanced. This is especially notable after the unforgiving early game, where movement and exploration present a fun and steep learning curve.”
“The optimization mechanics in the game allow for a unique blend of strategy and exploration, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“Mastering the optimization features not only enhances gameplay but also significantly improves the overall experience, allowing players to tackle challenges in creative ways.”
“I experienced some UI stuttering and unsmoothness on my underpowered machine, even when it reported 60 FPS at low quality and fairly low resolution.”
“The midgame is pretty gentle once you master optimized cloaking, but it also feels inconsistent. For example, the Nauticrawl can't die in zeppelin mode from radiation or crashing into the magmatic sea, and hypercharge mode just restarts the launch sequence if it becomes unbalanced. This is especially frustrating after the unforgiving early game, where movement and exploration have a fun but steep learning curve.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game enhanced by its immersive mechanics and well-crafted narrative, likening the experience to piloting an ancient machine. The tactile interactions, reminiscent of "The Room" series, contribute to a deep sense of engagement and emotional connection.
“The mechanics made me feel like I'm piloting an ancient machine crawler, and the story was well written.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
“I was genuinely moved by the narrative; it evoked a range of emotions that stayed with me long after I finished playing.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features appealing graphics, but users have reported occasional glitches that affect overall stability. Despite these issues, the experience remains enjoyable.
“The game offers some nice graphics, although there are some ugly glitches here and there; it is pleasant all the same.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is well-received, with players finding it enjoyable and anticipating the comedic moments that arise, especially when sharing the experience with friends.
“I enjoyed my two hours so far, and I definitely can't wait to see my friends struggle while I sit laughing next to them.”
