Nightmare Reaper

Nightmare Reaper delivers a bloody and bountiful harvest. If you’re a fan of old-school shooters, there’s no reason to miss out on this one.

89%Game Brain Score

gameplay, music

optimization, grinding

94% User Score Based on 5,482 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

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About

Nightmare Reaper is a single player arcade shooter game with horror and violence themes. It was developed by Blazing Bit Games and was released on March 28, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

Nightmare Reaper is a dark and violent meld of retro and modern action games, mainly inspired by the classic 2.5D first person shooters of the 90s like Doom, Duke Nukem 3D, Blood, Rise of the Triad and Wolfenstein 3D. Explore the cursed depths of a nightmare while finding powerful weapons and improving your abilities in this retro first person shooter that breaches the wall between the classics a…

+12

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,482 reviews

gameplay440 positive mentions

optimization46 negative mentions

The game features a vast array of weapons with unique modifiers, providing a satisfying and varied combat experience.
The retro aesthetic combined with modern gameplay mechanics creates a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
The integration of mini-games for skill upgrades adds a fun twist to the progression system.

The randomly generated levels can lead to repetitive gameplay and frustrating key hunts.
The game can feel overly long, with some players finding it tedious after a certain point.
Performance issues, especially in later levels, can detract from the overall experience.

gameplay
1,080 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
55%
4%
The gameplay of "Nightmare Reaper" is widely praised for its fast-paced, satisfying mechanics that blend retro FPS elements with modern looter-shooter and roguelite features. Players enjoy the variety of weapons, responsive controls, and engaging combat, although some criticize the repetitive nature of the gameplay and the limitations imposed by the roguelite mechanics, such as only being able to keep one weapon per run. Overall, the game offers a compelling and addictive experience, particularly for fans of classic shooters, despite some minor issues with level design and mechanics.
- “The gameplay itself is satisfying, as is the variety of weapons one can wield.”
- “The gameplay is top notch, well thought out, all enemies and bosses are challenging, but not plain annoying.”
- “Nightmare Reaper is a great FPS roguelike, with fast-paced gameplay and a whole host of weird and wonderful weapons.”
- “It's so frustrating to finish a shooter level just to go do some off-topic platformer bits for 5 minutes, knowing that when you get done with that, you'll be rinsing and repeating the same exact gameplay loop with the single gun you're allowed to keep.”
- “The core gameplay loop is lacking and there's a lot of little annoying things here and there, but honestly I have a lot of respect for the devs for sticking to their vision.”
- “After about 6 hours the game introduces no new mechanics other than new enemies and the occasional new gun which makes the second half of this game really drag which kind of killed any chance of me replaying this thing.”
music
760 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
49%
4%
The music in "Nightmare Reaper," composed by Andrew Hulshult, is widely praised for its heavy metal soundtrack that enhances the game's fast-paced, gory action. While many players find the soundtrack to be a standout feature that complements the gameplay, some note that it can become repetitive over time, particularly as combat music fades in and out during encounters. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant asset to the game's atmosphere, though a desire for more variety in the music has been expressed by some players.
- “I love this game for the non-stop action, great music from Andrew Hulshult, diverse enemies, insane weapons, and finally a really good random level generator.”
- “The music is incredible, simply outstanding.”
- “The intense action is complemented by an atmospheric and fitting soundtrack by Andrew Hulshult, adding to the overall immersive experience.”
- “The music's alright, but became somewhat repetitive over time.”
- “Oh, and the music sucks (sorry, I just turn it off all the time.)”
- “The music is actually rather repetitive, which I hate to say because Andrew Hulshult has done great work on other games.”
story
662 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
The story in "Nightmare Reaper" is delivered through brief journal entries and notes from a psychiatrist, revealing the protagonist's background as a mental patient navigating her nightmares. While some players appreciate the atmospheric and psychological elements, many find the narrative to be minimal, repetitive, and lacking depth, often feeling like an afterthought compared to the gameplay. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the action, with varying opinions on its effectiveness and engagement level.
- “All of the little references to other pieces of science-fiction/horror/metroidvania games spread out are a real treat and the wider story is a lot of fun to unravel through the game's unique menu system.”
- “The game's atmosphere is wonderfully crafted, unfolding like a puzzle, with the story slowly revealing itself (and it's even voiced!).”
- “The story tackles mental health problems, specifically early trauma leading to mood/personality disorders in a plausible manner, so respect for that.”
- “I honestly can't recommend this game on the grounds that it is such a slow and boring grind towards a story the game doesn't seem very interested in telling you, seeing how it's all told through a series of notes after each level, which you could honestly completely miss if you weren't actively looking for it.”
- “The story is told one sentence at a time, after each level, which I found way too slow.”
- “The story isn't very complex and the only real storytelling are said notes you receive, but that isn't the focus of the game.”
graphics
560 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
70%
4%
The graphics of "Nightmare Reaper" evoke a nostalgic retro aesthetic, blending pixel art with modern lighting effects, which some players find charming while others consider it cluttered and visually overwhelming. While the game successfully captures the essence of classic FPS titles, performance issues and a lack of polish can detract from the experience, leading to mixed opinions on its visual appeal. Overall, the graphics are a significant aspect of the game, appealing to fans of old-school shooters but potentially off-putting to those seeking a more refined visual experience.
- “The pixel art visuals are beautifully crafted, capturing the essence of classic shooters while adding a touch of modern flair.”
- “Nightmare Reaper is a visually captivating game that combines retro aesthetics with modern design elements.”
- “The graphics are a unique blend of nostalgic pixel art and contemporary lighting and shading techniques, creating a visually striking and immersive experience.”
- “Lowering the settings to make the visual puke on screen easier to decipher is an option, but without lighting and particle effects, the game loses the only graphical glory that it holds over something like Ultrakill or Amid Evil.”
- “The graphics, even for the style they're going for, aren't great.”
- “Unfortunately, while this game puts lots of effort into weapons, enemies, music, and graphic design, Nightmare Reaper lacks replayability and compelling level design.”
optimization
360 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
76%
13%
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting frequent performance dips, stuttering, and frame rate drops even on high-end hardware. While some users have noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game still requires substantial optimization to provide a smoother experience, particularly in more chaotic scenes with numerous effects. Many reviewers suggest waiting for further patches before fully committing to the game due to these ongoing performance issues.
- “While performance optimization could be further improved, it should not deter you from experiencing the brilliance of Nightmare Reaper.”
- “Fluid movement, incredibly robust leveling system, great optimization and a wide range of control over the graphics in-game.”
- “Nightmare Reaper uses what should be the now familiar crunchy pixel-art style and it mostly looks really solid, although performance can be pretty abysmal at times (often for no apparent reason) and enemies can be a touch on the small side, which in more open levels can result in situations where it's hard to figure out what's shooting you and from where.”
- “Levels would start out running fine, but the longer they went on the more the performance would drop, regardless of graphics settings - some areas would dip from 120fps to as low as 40, even with the resolution lowered and settings dropped.”
- “The optimization is the number one problem with this otherwise wonderfully beautiful game.”
replayability
168 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
62%
2%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its procedural generation, diverse weaponry, and New Game Plus modes that enhance replay value. However, some critics point out a lack of compelling content post-completion and issues with grindiness, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, while there are numerous elements that encourage replayability, opinions vary on its longevity and depth.
- “The non-linear structure encourages exploration and rewards thoroughness, adding replayability to the game.”
- “The levels are procedurally generated, which makes for excellent replayability.”
- “Replayability is through the roof, and I wholeheartedly recommend this game.”
- “The main deal breaker for me as to why I stopped playing this game is the lack of replayability.”
- “Tons of content to experience, but not a whole lot of replayability once you have completed the game.”
- “Unfortunately, while this game puts lots of effort into weapons, enemies, music, and graphic design, Nightmare Reaper lacks replayability and compelling level design.”
grinding
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the mini-games and skill tree upgrades to be tedious and overly repetitive. While some appreciate the depth and challenge of the grinding mechanics, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, leading to a sense of burnout as the game progresses. Overall, the grinding can be fun for completionists but may feel excessive and frustrating for those looking for a more streamlined experience.
- “Given all of the mini-games (which you can mercifully turn off) and the ability to start a new game+ as many times as you want, it seems like the intention was that people play this game literally for the rest of their lives, because that's how long it would take to finish everything without cheating (which I totally did because just like everything else, this game has too much grinding!)”
- “They had a very good base but just reused everything and made it so grindy with horrible platforming/puzzle design that what starts off insanely fun very quickly becomes a tired grind with little enjoyment or payoff.”
- “The problem is this game makes everything so tedious and mindless.”
atmosphere
128 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
29%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its dark, immersive quality, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack and retro-inspired visuals that create a unique blend of horror and nostalgia. Players appreciate the atmospheric storytelling that unfolds gradually, alongside intense gameplay and well-designed levels, although some note a tendency for repetitive textures as the game progresses. Overall, the combination of sound design, level aesthetics, and thematic depth contributes to a compelling and engaging experience that stands out in the genre.
- “The game's atmosphere is wonderfully crafted, unfolding like a puzzle, with the story slowly revealing itself (and it's even voiced!).”
- “From the moment you step into the shoes of the reaper, the game immerses you in its dark and atmospheric world.”
- “Modern lighting and shading techniques coupled with lovingly-made textures give each level its own particular atmosphere that you simply have to play to fully feel.”
- “Despite its style, the atmosphere, especially within your 'hub' area, is very creepy.”
- “Combat is very responsive and the atmosphere is dark and creepy, inspired by classic horror themes.”
- “The third game trades the high intensity gameplay for high intensity atmosphere and subsequently nails the horror element better as well.”
humor
64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, characterized by a wide array of absurd and over-the-top weapons, such as a double-barrel shotgun that fires rubber chickens and an "infernal rod" that rains exploding rocks. Players appreciate the comedic elements woven into the gameplay, including funny weapon modifiers, quirky level designs, and amusing easter eggs, which contribute to a lighthearted and chaotic atmosphere. While some aspects, like the protagonist's chuckling, may be less appealing, the overall experience is described as a blend of mindless fun and hilarity, making it a memorable retro shooter.
- “Note: found double barrel shotgun that used rubber chickens as ammo and had me laughing.”
- “I died laughing when I saw I had to go into a sewer and the dev had put 'sorry civvie' written in one of the corners of the sewer system.”
- “Old-school boomer shooter action with a dash of roguelike and a wry sense of humor.”
stability
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
The game exhibits a range of stability issues, including bugs, glitches, and performance drops, particularly during intense gameplay or in later stages. While some players report smooth performance on devices like the Steam Deck, others experience significant freezing and lag, especially in the arena mode. Overall, despite these stability concerns, many find the game enjoyable and worth playing.
- “Runs great on a Steam Deck.”
- “Runs great, good art, fun mechanics, metal tracks.”
- “Early game framerate was fine but later it tanks and sometimes the game freezes for a second or more at a time.”
- “Then there is the arena which the further into the rounds you get the more the game lags, freezes, and crashes.”
- “I want to finish this game but it just won't let me; instead, it just freezes up and never recovers.”
emotional
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a mix of intense, gory action and a surprisingly touching narrative, highlighted by moments of humor and heartwarming interactions, such as dog pats. However, some players feel let down by the story's depth, finding it underwhelming and shallow compared to the engaging gameplay. Overall, while the game delivers a thrilling experience, the emotional resonance may not fully satisfy all players.
- “It's gory, hectic, has wonderfully over-the-top weapon combos and a touching story.”
- “The platforming, especially in the challenge rooms but throughout each level, the combat (oooooh the combat. so meaty, so punchy, so precise, it feels so good), the secret/treasure hunting, the collecting and the heartbreaking decision of which one weapon to keep at the end of each level, the Mario 3 style minigames to upgrade your character, and even the plot playing out around you between levels.”
- “Civvie is the gateway drug to fun, came for the addicting gameplay loop and stayed for the wholesome dog pats.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions and season passes, being a fully finished product that offers a complete experience without additional costs. This approach has garnered respect from players who appreciate traditional gaming models over monetization strategies.
- “The scrubs who gave this negative reviews only play games for microtransactions.”
- “Mad respect for being a fully finished game with no microtransactions or season passes.”
- “The ability to headshot and ads in an old school styled FPS?”

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75%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

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11h Median play time

26h Average play time

4-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 52 analyzed playthroughs

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Nightmare Reaper is a arcade shooter game with horror and violence themes.

Nightmare Reaper is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 26 hours playing Nightmare Reaper.

Nightmare Reaper was released on March 28, 2022.

Nightmare Reaper was developed by Blazing Bit Games.

Nightmare Reaper 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 optimization.

Nightmare Reaper is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Hell Hunt , Forgive Me Father, Prodeus, Project Warlock, Strafe and others.

Nightmare Reaper

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