Nebula Within

About

Nebula Within is a single player and multiplayer shooter game. It was developed by Nick Oueijan and was released on October 20, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Nebula Within is a contemplative yet challenging twin-stick shooter about exploring your emotions and finding self-acceptance. Plunge into a colorful consciousness and reveal a mysterious diary alone or with up to 8 of your friends.

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 33 reviews

music7 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Nebula Within offers a unique blend of engaging twin-stick shooter mechanics with a focus on mental health and positive affirmations, creating a therapeutic gaming experience.
The game's visuals are beautifully designed with vibrant colors and simple geometric shapes, complemented by a calming soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere.
Players appreciate the game's ability to provide a relaxing yet challenging experience, with diverse enemies and meaningful boss battles that keep the gameplay engaging.

The game features bright flashes and intense visuals that can be overwhelming and potentially harmful for players with sensitivity to light or epilepsy, lacking adequate warnings.
Some players find the helper ships and power-ups underwhelming, as they abandon the player too quickly and do not significantly enhance gameplay.
The gameplay can become repetitive over time, with a lack of permanent upgrades leading to a sense of stagnation and boredom after extended play sessions.

music
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
57%
13%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its calming and immersive qualities that enhance the gameplay experience, while others find it mismatched with the game's intensity, describing it as eerie rather than soothing. Many highlight the soundtrack's ability to create a comforting atmosphere, contributing positively to the overall enjoyment, especially in a challenging twin-stick shooter context. Overall, the music is seen as a significant aspect that can either enhance relaxation or add to the game's tension, depending on the player's perspective.
- “The music pulls you into the environment and the game itself is challenging and engaging.”
- “The encouraging messaging, the changing color scheme, and the ambient music all meld really well into an atmosphere that feels comforting to be in.”
- “This, with the inclusion of an endless mode, not having to worry about dying, and mindlessly annihilating enemies to a soundtrack that gives me goosebumps every time I hear it, helps me unwind flawlessly every time I boot the game up.”
- “The gameplay and calm music didn't really mix, which led to my boredom.”
- “That's new for sure, coupling calm, soothing music with the stress of being attacked from every angle!”
- “The soundtracks used in this game are not comforting and soothing at all.”
graphics
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
72%
14%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a minimalist yet vibrant art style, utilizing simple geometric shapes that evoke nostalgia for classic titles like Asteroids and Geometry Wars. Reviewers appreciate the clean, crisp visuals that effectively convey deeper meanings without overwhelming distractions, although some note that the brightness can be excessive. Overall, the visuals are praised for their elegance and unique personality, enhancing the fast-paced gameplay experience.
- “The visuals are beautifully elegant, representing exactly what they must to convey their deeper meaning without relying on excessively flashy particles and annoying noises that would serve only to distract the player.”
- “Nebula Within is beautiful in both graphics and narrative.”
- “The graphics were immediately noticeable for me, as they are very clean and crisp, and although minimal (which I do love as well as the geometric aesthetic), it doesn’t look amateur-made.”
- “The game uses simple geometric shapes, hence there’s not much to discuss about the graphics.”
- “In conclusion, the visuals are simple but are too bright and flashy.”
- “Despite only using geometric shapes, the game's visuals are very well done.”
gameplay
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The gameplay is characterized by a simple yet engaging twin-stick shooter mechanic, reminiscent of classic games like Asteroids, with a friendly learning curve for newcomers. While some players find the calm music at odds with the action, the mechanics are generally praised for their responsiveness and the unique thematic elements tied to different states of mind. Overall, the gameplay offers a blend of accessibility and challenge, though some players desire more depth through permanent upgrades.
- “Veteran players of twin-stick shooters should have no trouble picking up the mechanics of the game, and new players should face a friendly learning curve that smiles and waves to them with a warm welcome.”
- “Featuring a simplistic, yet somehow symbolic presentation, the game uses a really particular gameplay loop: you drive your little ship across different stages, each one dealing with a specific state of mind or ailment, and try to defeat all the enemies.”
- “The gameplay is simple enough to hop right into and play, yet just challenging enough to keep me engaged.”
- “The gameplay and calm music didn't really mix, which led to my boredom.”
- “I know it's a game mechanic, but I think it really goes against a lot of the things the game is trying to instill and awaken in you.”
- “The gameplay kind of steps on those aspects, however, and they feel like empty gestures.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its comforting and immersive qualities, enhanced by a harmonious blend of encouraging messaging, dynamic color schemes, and ambient music. Reviewers highlight its appeal to fans of relaxing, atmospheric experiences, particularly those interested in themes of psychology and self-development.
- “A unique game that I can definitely recommend, especially for people that like relaxing atmospheric games and for people that like games that have to do with psychology and self-development.”
- “Overall, these cons aren't as important as the pros, so if you like twin-stick and atmospheric games, go for it!”
- “The encouraging messaging, the changing color scheme, and the ambient music all meld really well into an atmosphere that feels comforting to be in (especially as I learn how to even use these shooter controls for the first time!).”
- “An atmosphere that sucks you in.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the emotional depth of the game, highlighting the supportive dynamics among friends that enhance the experience. However, there is a concern that sharing personal emotional baggage may burden others, potentially complicating relationships. Overall, the game fosters a wholesome and humble atmosphere.
- “The positives are that you have more eyes to watch your back and protect you as you progress in the game, but the downside is that you've dragged your friends into your emotional baggage, and they will get to know you more than they probably ever wanted to.”
- “The game is actually wholesome.”
- “Positive, humble, and wholesome vibes are already present as I booted up the game.”
story
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews indicate that the game lacks a narrative or storyline, with users noting that there is no story to engage with.
- “The game lacks any meaningful story, leaving players feeling disconnected and unengaged.”
- “There is no coherent narrative to follow, making the experience feel aimless and frustrating.”
- “The story is poorly developed, with flat characters and predictable plot twists that fail to captivate.”