Nebraska
- August 3, 2021
- bgproductionsofficial
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Nebraska" is a single-player Horror Adventure game, set in 2020, where a journalist is trapped in an abandoned horror attraction revealing terrible experiments. The game features an advanced physics system, puzzles, and environmental interactions, while managing body temperature creates a tense atmosphere inspired by games like "Amnesia the dark descent" and "Penumbra black plague". Beyond horror, the game offers an outstanding story.
PC
Windows
Xbox
Reviews
- The game offers a great atmosphere and visuals, reminiscent of the Penumbra series, making it enjoyable for fans of horror games.
- Despite its short runtime of 2-3 hours, the game effectively builds tension and provides a creepy experience with decent enemy AI.
- It is impressive for a one-man development project, showcasing creativity and effort, especially considering the low price point.
- The lack of a manual save option and confusing level design can lead to frustration, as players may have to replay sections multiple times.
- Stealth mechanics are ineffective, often forcing players to rely on sprinting rather than strategic hiding, which detracts from the horror experience.
- Some puzzles are poorly designed and not intuitive, leading to moments of confusion and a feeling of aimlessness during gameplay.
- story54 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally considered serviceable but lacks originality, with many reviewers noting its cliche and far-fetched elements. While some found the narrative intriguing and appreciated the effort of a solo developer, others criticized it for being poorly written and filled with logical inconsistencies. Additionally, the necessity to read extensive notes to grasp the plot detracted from the overall experience, leaving some players feeling that the story was ultimately forgettable.
“The story is very interesting even with the gigantic rats that sneak up on you once in a while.”
“You can tell this dev took lots of inspiration from the original Amnesia, and a ton of thought went into making this game. Each level serves a purpose and the story builds nicely.”
“Flows well with a good intriguing story.”
“The story is not that long and overall pretty forgettable. One thing I didn't like is that you could not bring any notes with you to re-read later as reference or to freshen up your memory.”
“There are multiple logical holes in the plot and the actions of the hero.”
“The story seems a bit cliché and far-fetched; I was expecting a little more.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 78 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Gameplay reviews highlight significant frustrations with mechanics, particularly the ineffective stealth system and the inconsistent temperature mechanic, which detracts from the overall experience. Players feel that the game relies too heavily on sprinting and monster chases, leading to a frustrating and punishing atmosphere rather than engaging gameplay. While some elements evoke nostalgia for similar titles, the execution leaves much to be desired, with calls for clearer indicators and more functional mechanics.
“Definitely more exciting than the actual Nebraska! The first half of the game reminds me of some of the MMORPG dungeons in feel and gameplay, and then it gets much bigger and way more interesting from there!”
“A game made just like Penumbra, with the same engine, same mechanics, and gameplay elements like escaping from mutants, using computers for access, jumping over lasers with dynamite, and having painkillers for healing.”
“I appreciate the developer taking time to respond to the review and explain the crouch/stealth mechanic in more detail.”
“My biggest complaint would be the rather useless stealth mechanics.”
“But the actual flow of the game itself; the mechanics, and how the environments engage the player, is pretty abysmal.”
“I just don't see the point in punishing your player by ramping up the difficulty of the game to an all-out frustration fest due to the lack of mechanics that function in the player's favor.”
- graphics18 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players noting them as good and up to modern standards, though some claim they fall short of being "photorealistic." While the visuals are praised for their quality, there are occasional interaction bugs that can detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics contribute positively to the game's atmosphere, especially in the horror genre, where a less polished look can sometimes enhance the experience.
“Great graphics, sounds, and gameplay... even better now with the last major update.”
“Definitely worth the price; the graphics are pretty nice, the monsters are spooky, and the voice acting/sounds are on point.”
“Good graphics, really holds up to today's standards.”
“Yes, the game is made on the Unreal Engine, and having small levels it works quite fast, but the level of graphics can hardly be called 'photorealistic.'”
“The visuals aren't great, but in my opinion, horror games sometimes kind of benefit from being on the ugly side.”
- atmosphere16 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its engaging light effects and soundscapes, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players. While some elements, like monster design, may fall short, the overall ambiance, combined with a quirky charm and effective soundtrack, contributes to a solid indie horror experience. Despite its rough edges, the atmosphere is considered a highlight, making it enjoyable for players.
“After quite a while the atmosphere starts to creep inside of your bones.”
“The atmosphere is great and the soundtrack really helps seal the deal.”
“After quite a while, the atmosphere starts to creep inside of your bones.”
“I enjoyed it for the atmosphere; the monsters were a little lacking and easy to escape, but looked interesting. Give it a try; it is a short game.”
“Nebraska is a solid indie horror experience, with some decent atmosphere and soundscape, intense chase sequences, and an okay story.”
- music14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The music and ambiance, crafted by Matthew Emmett, are highly praised for enhancing the game's atmosphere and effectively matching the emotional tone of various moments, particularly in tense scenarios. However, some users have expressed frustration over the lack of audio options, noting that the music can be overwhelmingly loud, making it difficult to hear dialogue.
“The atmosphere is great and the soundtrack really helps seal the deal.”
“He knows what kind of music and ambiance needs to be used to suit the moment.”
“I won't spoil anything, but there's a scary section in the game where the fear is greatly heightened by the music.”
“The lack of audio options made the music almost deafening, and if I turned my PC volume down, I couldn't hear the dialogue.”
“The music and ambiance created by Matthew Emmett are much better suited for the game.”
“While the original soundtrack is well made for every situation, it doesn't compensate for the audio issues.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report that while there are some minor glitches related to lighting, they are infrequent and generally manageable, indicating a stable gaming experience.
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the game largely stems from the exaggerated scale of environments, which often feel absurdly disproportionate to the tasks they are meant to accomplish. This comedic element adds a layer of enjoyment to the exploration experience.
“The humor really shines through, especially when the size of the spaces you explore starts to inflate and become hilariously unproportional compared to the task at hand.”
“The game is filled with clever jokes and absurd situations that keep you laughing throughout your adventure.”
“I love how the characters have such quirky personalities that lead to unexpected and funny interactions.”
