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NERVE

NERVE is a great little blast if you enjoy little bursts of fun. It’s also a good time if you commit more effort and experience to get good. Either way, if you’re up for a new adrenaline rush with tons of bright colors and a brilliant electronic soundtrack, then NERVE needs to race to the very top of your new gaming list. Great fun all around!
NERVE Game Cover
86%Game Brain Score
gameplay, music
story, atmosphere
89% User Score Based on 54 reviews
Critic Score 70%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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NERVE Game Cover

About

NERVE is a single player arcade racing game. It was developed by Gunfish Games and was released on February 16, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Nerve" is a single-player arcade game with vibrant visuals, original music, and over 100 unique levels. As a fragile ball of light, players race through threatening worlds, dodging obstacles and battling bosses in a quest to conquer the campaign and dominate global leaderboards. With its spectacular game mechanics and emphasis on progression and mastery, "Nerve" offers a thrilling and immersive gaming experience.

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NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
NERVE screenshot
+9
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89%
Audience ScoreBased on 54 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
story3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and an amazing soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, with a clever variable speed mechanic that allows for dynamic difficulty adjustments.
  • There is a substantial amount of content, including multiple worlds and zones, making it a great value for players seeking a challenge.
  • The game can be frustrating due to unclear obstacle mechanics and hitbox issues, leading to unexpected deaths.
  • Some players have reported bugs, including screen freezes and issues with exiting the game, which can disrupt the flow of gameplay.
  • The story is minimal and lacks depth, which may disappoint those looking for a narrative experience.
  • gameplay
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is praised for its challenging yet enjoyable mechanics, impressive visuals, and a wealth of content at a low price. While the steep learning curve and occasional screen freezes can disrupt the fast-paced experience, players appreciate the clever variable speed mechanic and the smooth controls that enhance the overall enjoyment. The game effectively utilizes its mechanics throughout, making for a rewarding experience as players master the patterns and improve their high scores.

    • “Amazing visuals and challenging but really fun gameplay with a substantial amount of content for the rather low price!”
    • “First of all, the variable speed mechanic is really clever: the game scores you only on your speed in each zone, whereas deaths are irrelevant (and you respawn with absolutely zero delay).”
    • “Excellent soundtrack, and while the game might be tricky to speed through at first, everything becomes really smooth when the mechanics and patterns start to sink in.”
    • “The main problem that I have with this game is that there is a screen freeze right before your death, which really breaks the tempo in the fast-paced gameplay.”
    • “This world introduces a slowdown mechanic that I felt severely damaged the flow of the game.”
    • “Later on, the game introduces a mechanic that actually forces you to use the brake, and it also starts adding sections that are insane enough that the slowdown feature is necessary rather than just feeling like a cheat code.”
  • music
    30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its high quality and energetic soundtrack, which enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the fast-paced, engaging tracks, even those who typically dislike the genre, noting that the music complements the challenging levels and stunning visuals. Additionally, the inclusion of a level creator allows players to create and share their own music, further enriching the game's audio landscape.

    • “Fast paced with a fantastic soundtrack!”
    • “The soundtrack and the visuals in this game are amazing, and the game is pretty fun to play too.”
    • “Nerve's difficulty is challenging but not impossible, plus the music is sick!”
    • “Stunning graphics, intense difficulty, and banging soundtrack.”
  • graphics
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their stunning visuals and aesthetic appeal, often compared favorably to other titles like "Thumper." Reviewers highlight the impressive audio and soundtrack that complement the visuals, contributing to an engaging and immersive gameplay experience. Overall, the graphics are described as a standout feature, enhancing the fun and challenging nature of the game.

    • “The soundtrack and the visuals in this game are amazing, and the game is pretty fun to play too.”
    • “Outstanding visuals, amazing audio, fantastic soundtrack, and smooth gameplay controls.”
    • “Stunning graphics, intense difficulty, and banging soundtrack.”
    • “Aesthetically very similar to Thumper (a game I didn't really care for), but otherwise is not at all similar in terms of gameplay.”
    • “A much closer game to this would be 'No Parachute', totally different aesthetic but very similar (though much more simple) gameplay.”
  • story
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's narrative is minimal and often feels secondary to the gameplay experience, which some players find refreshing. However, others express a desire for a more engaging storyline to enhance their overall immersion.

    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it hard to stay engaged. While I understand that the game isn't primarily focused on storytelling, a more compelling narrative would have enhanced the overall experience.”
    • “The plot is predictable and fails to offer any meaningful twists or character development. Even though I know the game isn't about the story, it still left me wanting something more substantial.”
    • “The narrative is shallow and doesn't provide enough context for the characters or their motivations. I get that the game isn't centered around a story, but a stronger narrative could have made it much more enjoyable.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is generally considered not replayable, as players feel that once they complete the company and achieve all goals, there is little incentive to return unless they are interested in speedrunning.

    • “Not replayable - once you complete the company and earn all the achievements, there is almost nothing left to do unless you are a speedrunner.”
  • atmosphere
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is consistently described as dark, creating a moody and immersive environment that enhances the overall experience.

    • “The game immerses you in a dark atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The hauntingly dark atmosphere adds a layer of tension and intrigue.”
    • “Every corner of the game is filled with a dark atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The game has a consistently dark atmosphere that feels oppressive.”
    • “The dark atmosphere throughout the game makes it hard to immerse myself in the experience.”
    • “While the game aims for a dark atmosphere, it often feels more monotonous than engaging.”
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70%Critics’ scoreBased on 2 critic reviews
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Frequently Asked Questions

NERVE is a arcade racing game.

NERVE is available on PC and Windows.

NERVE was released on February 16, 2021.

NERVE was developed by Gunfish Games.

NERVE has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

NERVE is a single player game.

Similar games include BZZZT, 140, Thumper, Neon Drive, Eldest Souls and others.