Nobody Wants to Die

Nobody Wants to Die is an incredible experience. Engaging detective gameplay, an incredible soundtrack, and a fascinating noir-yarn come together to create one of my favorite games in a long time.

87%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 1,700 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 24 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom €24.99

Buy NowGet on Steam€24.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

In "Nobody Wants to Die," play as Detective James Karra in a futuristic, alternate New York City of 2329, where immortality is a luxury for the wealthy. As a member of the Mortality Department, Karra investigates a series of murders targeting the elite, utilizing time manipulation abilities and advanced technology. The case uncovers dark secrets of the city's powerful figures as Karra works with young police liaison Sara Kai.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,700 reviews

story590 positive mentions

grinding20 negative mentions

Stunning graphics and immersive environments that create a captivating atmosphere.
Engaging story with intriguing themes of mortality and consciousness transfer.
Strong voice acting and character development that enhance the narrative experience.

Gameplay is overly linear and hand-holdy, limiting player agency and detective work.
Multiple endings feel unsatisfying and are largely determined by a single choice at the end.
The story can become convoluted and lacks resolution for several plot points.

story
1,410 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The story of "Nobody Wants to Die" is a captivating blend of noir detective themes set in a dystopian cyberpunk world, drawing comparisons to works like "Blade Runner" and "Altered Carbon." While the narrative is engaging and features strong character development, many players noted that it becomes convoluted and rushed towards the end, leaving some plot threads unresolved. The game is primarily a linear experience with limited gameplay mechanics, focusing heavily on storytelling and atmosphere, which may appeal to fans of narrative-driven games but could disappoint those seeking more interactive gameplay.
- “The story is captivating and the investigations are really unique.”
- “The world, the story, and the characters are crafted with exceptional detail, seamlessly drawing you into the developers’ vision.”
- “This game is incredible; the atmosphere, the graphics, and the voice acting are amazing. If you like a good story and being a noir detective in a cyberpunk universe, then play this masterpiece.”
- “The problem is that in shaping the story you can potentially shape an ending which leaves you with only glimpses as to what was happening and a lot to piece together still.”
- “The premise and dystopian setting is very interesting too from a philosophical and political point of view and it seemed to have a lot of potential ... but, some way through, nearer the end, the story stops making sense, branches out into what seems like 3 different incoherent and loosely connected plot lines and completely ditches what seemed like the initial premise causing nothing but total confusion.”
- “The story is incoherent and aimless, so much hand holding that the entire investigation sections might as well have been cutscenes.”
gameplay
571 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
65%
9%
The gameplay of "Nobody Wants to Die" is primarily linear and simplistic, often described as a walking simulator with minimal interactivity and repetitive mechanics. Players engage in crime scene investigations using a time-reconstruction mechanic and various detective tools, but many reviewers noted that the gameplay feels overly guided and lacks depth, making it less engaging for those seeking a more challenging experience. While the story and visuals are praised, the gameplay is often seen as a secondary element that does not fully capitalize on the game's potential.
- “The gameplay focuses on detective work—searching for clues and piecing together evidence—and while this investigative style suits the noir genre, the pacing can feel sluggish at times, especially during slower sections.”
- “The core gameplay revolves around detailed crime scene investigations, where players use advanced tools like UV lights, X-rays, and time manipulation to piece together clues.”
- “The gameplay is fun and putting together clues makes your head think; the only thing I wish I could've gotten more out of the game is seeing more of the events take place rather than listening to them from another room, or behind a black screen.”
- “In a game with better gameplay, this would encourage a replay to try another route, but due to the mechanics, a replay of this game would be a slog, and thus I can't recommend it despite the journey being pleasant.”
- “The gameplay is relatively simplistic and hand-holdy.”
- “Not really a game; more like a click interactive movie with a poor plot and extremely frustrating lack of control during most of the gameplay.”
graphics
553 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
1%
The graphics of "Nobody Wants to Die" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive art style, often compared to the aesthetics of titles like "Blade Runner" and "Bioshock." Many reviewers highlight the game's exceptional use of Unreal Engine 5, resulting in breathtaking environments and detailed character designs, although some note issues with optimization and performance on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's visuals are considered its standout feature, enhancing the narrative experience despite criticisms of gameplay depth.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, and the atmosphere grips you, refusing to let go.”
- “The visuals are top-notch, with stunning cinematography and immersive graphics that create a captivating experience.”
- “The graphics are absolutely beautiful, from the vibrant neon signs to the dark, gritty environments, making the world feel alive and immersive.”
- “It's a shame, this could have been a great game, but it's above average (based on the graphics and atmosphere).”
- “The only good thing is the visuals; the rest is garbage.”
- “Looking past the gameplay, we have the graphics; while stunning, it is poorly optimized, and I found even my beefy 4080 could not handle the game on the highest settings without massive tweaks.”
atmosphere
234 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
34%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive world-building, and strong noir aesthetic, drawing comparisons to iconic works like *Blade Runner* and *Bioshock*. Players appreciate the rich, detailed environments and the effective use of sound and music to enhance the overall experience, despite some criticisms regarding voice acting and gameplay depth. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating and atmospheric narrative that resonates with fans of the cyberpunk and noir genres.
- “The atmosphere is amazing and the setup is an incredible representation of the noir in the future.”
- “The scale of the neon metropolis is staggering, with massive skyscrapers stretching endlessly into the skyline, creating an atmosphere that feels both alive and haunting.”
- “This game has an incredible atmosphere and rich story.”
- “The voice acting is B and C tier, the audio is not mixed well, and the music doesn't do much to create an atmosphere for you.”
- “Despite the extremely narrow scope of the game, it does not fail to communicate the sheer scale of this city, and the grim atmosphere.”
- “The dialogue often feels forced, and the overacting by some voice actors only adds to the unintentional humor rather than the intended atmosphere.”
music
116 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
37%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, effectively capturing the noir and retro-futuristic themes. Many reviewers noted the soundtrack's emotional depth and fitting jazz elements, which contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience. However, some criticisms were directed at the audio mixing and occasional lack of memorability in certain tracks, suggesting that while the music is generally strong, it could have been more impactful in specific moments.
- “On top of that, you can count on a really nice soundtrack that fits like a glove with the game's vibe.”
- “The music wraps around you like a smoky jazz club after midnight, the visuals painting a grim picture of a city that’s seen better days.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly encapsulated the 1940s noir atmosphere despite being set in this futuristic nihilistic universe.”
- “The voice acting is B and C tier, the audio is not mixed well, and the music doesn't do much to create an atmosphere for you.”
- “The soundtrack is sadly not very memorable.”
- “The music is alright, but I feel like in some moments it doesn't really hit very well with what's going on.”
optimization
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
58%
18%
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end systems. While some users noted that enabling upscaling technologies like DLSS improved performance, others found the game unplayable without them. Despite its stunning graphics and engaging story, the consensus is that the game requires substantial optimization to enhance the overall experience.
- “Optimized really well, beautiful graphics and great story.”
- “Well optimized, and beautiful environments.”
- “Movement and fluidity of the game as a whole is very well done and optimization is great.”
- “The performance without upscaling is horrible, ~40 fps with my 5900x and 7900xtx, although with FSR3 quality it locks at 60 fps at ~70% GPU load.”
- “I've played AAA games on this computer without any problems, which leads me to believe this game suffers from poor optimization.”
- “Performance is completely down the drain; usually, my PC can handle high-end games with relative ease, but this has had my PC crash and freeze up multiple times even with all graphics settings floored to the minimum.”
replayability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
71%
15%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players noting the presence of multiple endings and choices that can affect the story, while others criticize the lack of substantial branching paths and limited gameplay mechanics. Many reviewers suggest that while there is some incentive to replay for achievements or different endings, the overall experience may not warrant multiple playthroughs due to its narrative focus and predictability. In summary, the game offers a bit of replay value, but it may not satisfy those seeking deep exploration or significant variation in gameplay.
- “Well worth playing, choices matter, and there are multiple endings, making it replayable.”
- “Has great replay value and a really cool story.”
- “Amazing on-rails dystopian detective story (more of a movie than a game) which has some replayability because choices you make affect the story and characters.”
- “I've honestly got nothing bad to say about it at all, other than there's zero replay value other than grabbing achievements.”
- “This game really has no replay value.”
- “Not so much a game as a story, and although you can make some choices along the way, replay value is pretty much zero, since the basics remain the same.”
grinding
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
9%
87%
Overall, players find the grinding aspects of the game to be tedious and repetitive, particularly in mechanics and puzzles that lack depth. Many reviewers express frustration with the lack of a chapter selection feature, making it cumbersome to replay for alternate endings. While some enjoy the story and gameplay loop, the general consensus is that the tedious elements detract from the overall experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One of the game’s notable drawbacks is how some mechanics and puzzles become repetitive and tedious.”
- “Altogether, replaying the game didn't feel compelling enough to do and sounds tedious.”
- “I refunded it as the tedious detective mechanics got too annoying.”
emotional
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its engaging story and deep themes, with many players feeling a strong connection to the narrative and characters, leading to intense emotional responses, including tears at the conclusion. However, some players noted that certain choices lacked emotional weight, and while the soundtrack and sound design enhanced the experience, inconsistencies in voice acting and subtitles detracted from the overall immersion. Despite its brevity, the game is praised for its ability to evoke a range of emotions, though some players felt a disconnect with the characters and were left with mixed feelings about the ending.
- “Overall: nobody wants to die is a must-watch for fans of emotionally driven narratives and gripping drama.”
- “The sound design, including the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, further amplifies the emotional impact of the story and gameplay.”
- “The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time; yes the game is short but I was hooked the entire time.”
stability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
6%
76%
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players reporting a flawless experience with no crashes or significant glitches, while others encountered frequent visual glitches and occasional freezes. Overall, many users noted impressive graphics and solid performance, though a few minor bugs were mentioned that may require future patches.
- “Technically polished, beautiful graphics, no glitches, freezes, or bugs encountered during my playtime.”
- “Yes, it is very short, but runs great right on release and I can't ask for much more than that.”
- “Runs great, great graphics.”
- “The visuals seem great at times, but the constant glitches (shadows and reflections glitch like hell; there are really few surfaces in the game that don't look like they have a huge noise texture flickering above them).”
- “If Cyberpunk and Life is Strange had a baby, it would have more glitches than their parents combined.”
- “After restarting the game, I can no longer finish the loading screen because the game freezes up.”
humor
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
21%
The game's humor is a notable highlight, blending lighthearted banter and clever parodies within a tense narrative, which adds depth to its noir setting. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and amusing interactions, with many finding the comedic elements refreshing amidst the darker themes. However, some critiques mention that the humor can be inconsistent, with instances of overacting and a lack of replay value detracting from the overall experience.
- “At one point, the game even hilariously parodies itself.”
- “There's many little funny secrets to explore and interact with.”
- “The conversations don't feel forced; the humor is light but convincing, and the ambiance is perfect.”
- “If it was supposed to be funny, then any sort of humor is eradicated by the behavior of the characters.”
- “The jokes fall flat and often feel forced, making it hard to enjoy the comedic moments.”
- “The attempts at humor are so cringeworthy that they overshadow any potential enjoyment.”
character development
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The game features strong character development and performances, with a deep plot that enhances the storytelling experience. While the progression may feel unconventional at times, the integration of exploration and investigation enriches the characters' growth and the overall narrative. However, some critiques note that certain aspects of character development can feel superficial or overly explicit.
- “The game excels in storytelling, character development, and atmospheric design, with intuitive and unique gameplay mechanics that blend exploration and investigation.”
- “The game takes you through some genuinely interesting story-building and lore-building, doing detective work on a series of related incidents, while also doing a lot of character development for the protagonists.”
- “The character development is skin deep and really on the nose.”
- “The plot felt deep, as did all the character development, but the progression felt odd; like I was waiting to unlock new tools or choose the next mission, although I suppose that's for a different game or style.”
- “Each action feels purposeful, contributing to the overall narrative and character development.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game appears to rely heavily on flashy advertisements and interactive elements that may not deliver on their promises, leading to a sense of disappointment among users. Additionally, the game's narrative feels underdeveloped, suggesting that the marketing may misrepresent the actual gameplay experience.
- “Like most advertisements, it looks a lot more interactive than it actually is.”
- “I definitely think they are advertising it a little wrong because it is way more of a 'you walk around and the game happens' as opposed to 'you make stuff happen.'”