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.

81%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

replayability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 3,400 reviews

Critic Score 76%Based on 24 reviews

Platforms

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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

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87%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,400 reviews

story1.2k positive mentions

grinding41 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
2,839 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
54%
4%
The story of "Nobody Wants to Die" is a captivating blend of noir detective elements and cyberpunk aesthetics, set in a dystopian future where themes of mortality and consciousness transfer are explored. While the narrative starts strong and engages players with intriguing plot twists and character development, many reviewers noted that it becomes convoluted and rushed towards the end, leaving some plot threads unresolved and leading to mixed feelings about the overall payoff. Despite its linearity and limited gameplay mechanics, the game's stunning visuals and immersive storytelling make it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “The story is the crown jewel of Nobody Wants to Die.”
- “The game is interactive noir story with an amazing vibe where your decisions carry weight throughout the whole story.”
- “This captivating cyber-noir detective game thrives on atmosphere, story, and innovation.”
- “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.”
- “By the end, I was left wondering what happened to the potential revolution I had envisioned being part of, given the events in the story up to that point, then the sequences of events that followed didn't really make any sense.”
- “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 three different incoherent and loosely connected plot lines and completely ditches what seemed like the initial premise causing nothing but total confusion.”
gameplay
1,156 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 detective work through a time-reconstruction system, but many reviewers noted that the game holds their hand too much, leading to a lack of challenge and exploration. While the visuals and narrative are praised, the gameplay is seen as a secondary element that detracts from the overall experience, making it more of an interactive story than a traditional game.
- “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.”
- “This is very much a game driven by its plot and characters, with mechanics just there to give you something to do.”
- “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.”
graphics
1,112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
32%
1%
The graphics of "Nobody Wants to Die" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and immersive art style, blending elements of cyberpunk and noir aesthetics reminiscent of classics like "Blade Runner" and "Bioshock." Many reviewers highlight the game's impressive use of Unreal Engine 5, resulting in breathtaking environments and detailed character designs, although some note optimization issues that can affect performance. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, elevating the game's narrative experience despite criticisms of its gameplay mechanics.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, and the atmosphere grips you, refusing to let go.”
- “The visuals are top notch, although optimization is lacking.”
- “The game is excellent in art design with the noir futuristic art deco, and the graphics make it realistic as hell.”
- “It's a golden example of what happens when you throw all your budget into graphics.”
- “The only good thing is visuals, the rest is garbage.”
- “While the graphics are indeed top-notch, and the game's aesthetic is remarkable, the gameplay and narrative leave much to be desired.”
atmosphere
472 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 richly detailed environments and the effective use of sound and music to enhance the overall experience, although some note that the gameplay can feel shallow. Overall, the game excels in creating a captivating and atmospheric narrative that resonates with fans of the genre.
- “The graphics are breathtaking, and the atmosphere grips you, refusing to let go.”
- “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.”
- “The dialogue often feels forced, and the overacting by some voice actors only adds to the unintentional humor rather than the intended atmosphere.”
- “At first, the visuals and atmosphere of the game really captivated me, but after only an hour of playing the game, it started feeling dull and worn-out.”
music
234 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
36%
3%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the noir atmosphere and complement the visuals, often described as haunting and evocative of classic jazz. While some players found the soundtrack to be memorable and fitting for the game's themes, others felt it lacked impact in certain moments or became repetitive. Overall, the music is generally regarded as a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “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.”
- “Nobody wants to die is an incredible experience, with an engaging detective story, an incredible soundtrack, all set in a fascinating Blade Runner-esque world where each decision changes your path, one of my favorite games in a long time.”
- “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, I feel like in some moments the music doesn't really hit very well with what's going on in the moment though.”
optimization
178 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
58%
18%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, even on high-end systems. While some users found the graphics stunning and the game enjoyable, they noted that it often requires upscaling solutions like DLSS to achieve playable performance. Overall, the consensus is that the game suffers from poor optimization, making it challenging to run smoothly without substantial graphical adjustments.
- “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
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
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 incentive for multiple playthroughs. Many reviewers suggest that while the game is enjoyable for a single run, it may not warrant repeated play due to its heavy focus on narrative over gameplay. A few players found value in achievement hunting, but overall, the consensus leans towards a lack of significant replay value.
- “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.”
- “Honestly, there isn't much replay value in the game so you won't really feel like replaying the thing all over again just to try to get a different ending.”
grinding
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
87%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the mechanics and puzzles repetitive and tedious, particularly during the second half. While some enjoy the narrative and detective elements, the lack of a chapter selection feature and convoluted controls contribute to a frustrating experience for those looking to explore alternate endings. Overall, the gameplay can feel drawn out, leading to a less compelling replay value.
- “One of the game’s notable drawbacks is how some mechanics and puzzles become repetitive and tedious.”
- “I also wish there was a chapter selection feature, as replaying the game to explore alternate endings can be tedious, especially since much of the content remains the same except for the final outcome.”
- “I just played through this game and it took about 5 hours to finish. My only problem with the game is the ending is a bit sudden, and there are multiple endings, but there's no way to go back to a certain point in the game and make different choices. To see a different minute-long cutscene, you have to play through the whole 5-hour game again, which in my opinion is very tedious.”
emotional
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its engaging story and deep emotional themes, making it a compelling experience for fans of emotionally driven narratives. While the emotional impact is heightened by strong sound design and character struggles, some players felt disconnected from certain choices and characters, leading to mixed feelings about the overall resolution. Despite its brevity, the game effectively evokes a range of emotions, from heartbreak to investment in the narrative, though some players noted that the emotional manipulation could detract from the experience.
- “Overall, 'Nobody Wants to Die' is a must-watch for fans of emotionally driven narratives and gripping drama.”
- “The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time; yes, the game is short, but I was hooked the entire time.”
- “The sound design, including the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, further amplifies the emotional impact of the story and gameplay.”
stability
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
12%
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 issues and occasional freezes. Despite the impressive graphics, several users noted persistent glitches, particularly with shadows and reflections, which detracted from the overall experience. Overall, while many found the game technically polished, a number of minor bugs still need addressing in 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's really few surfaces in the game which don't look like they have a huge noise texture flickering above them).”
- “If Cyberpunk and Life is Strange had a baby with more glitches than their parents combined.”
- “After restarting the game, I now can no longer finish the loading screen because the game freezes up.”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
93%
7%
The game features a blend of humor within its tense narrative, offering lighthearted banter and clever parodies that enhance the experience. Players appreciate the comedic elements, including funny secrets and engaging dialogue, which provide a refreshing contrast to the darker themes typical of the noir genre. However, some critiques mention that the humor can be inconsistent, with instances of overacting and a narrative that may not maintain its comedic tone throughout.
- “At one point, the game even hilariously parodies it.”
- “The conversations don't feel forced, the humor is light but convincing, and the ambiance is perfect (sitting on the neon sign smoking a cigar was a great moment).”
- “Sara made a lot of funny jokes and both broke and added to the tension.”
- “If it was supposed to be funny, then any sort of humor is eradicated by the behavior of people following it.”
character development
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
36%
21%
The game features excellent character development and performances, with a deep plot that enhances the storytelling experience. While the character progression may feel somewhat disjointed, the narrative and world-building are compelling, allowing for meaningful exploration and investigation. However, some critiques note that the character development can be superficial and overly explicit at times.
- “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
7 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 the promised depth, leading to a sense of disappointment among players. While the visuals and setting are captivating, the actual gameplay experience feels more passive than advertised, contributing to a flat and confusing narrative. Overall, there seems to be a disconnect between the marketing and the actual interactive experience.
- “Like most advertisements, it looks a lot more interactive than it actually is.”
- “The story does seem kind of flat and confusing so far, but they have some pretty cool ideas; I definitely think they are advertising it a little wrong though because it is way more of a 'you walk around and the game happens' as opposed to 'you make stuff happen.'”
- “The sound could have been used to build a greater sense of dread, or flesh out the world more, where the neon signs and advertisements only take things so far on their own.”