Nodebuster

About

Nodebuster is a single player casual strategy game. It was developed by Goblobin and was released on August 13, 2024. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"Nodebuster is a single-player strategy game with a focus on ingenious gameplay and resource management. Pretty visuals and exceptional music enhance the experience as you harvest nodes, acquire upgrades, and climb the skill tree to become all-powerful. Be prepared for lots of grinding as you work towards godhood."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,630 reviews

gameplay316 positive mentions

grinding198 negative mentions

gameplay
684 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
52%
2%
The gameplay of this title is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop that combines idle mechanics with active engagement, making it enjoyable for casual play. Players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere, enhanced by a soothing soundtrack, though many note that the game is relatively short, typically offering around 3 to 6 hours of content. While the mechanics are straightforward and satisfying, some users express a desire for more depth and replayability, particularly in the later stages of the game.
- “Nodebuster is an addictive incremental game that combines simple yet colorful visuals with satisfying idle mechanics.”
- “The music and the gameplay is absolutely perfect, and it’s never like you are bored at any given time, there’s always something to do.”
- “The gameplay is simple but still adds variation to give you a reason to continue playing, the music is perfect.”
- “The game kept me interested for nearly 2 hours, then it turns into extremely tedious and monotone gameplay.”
- “The gameplay feels optional and upgrades make it redundant.”
- “The gameplay is repetitive, upgrades are uninteresting and run out very quickly; the game is very short.”
music
528 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
31%
1%
The music in the game has been widely praised for its relaxing and chill qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Many players noted the soundtrack's ability to create a soothing atmosphere, making it enjoyable to play for extended periods. While some mentioned that the music can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's appeal and is well worth the price.
- “The music is phenomenal as it just creates this atmosphere of infinite chill.”
- “The music and the gameplay is absolutely perfect, and it’s never like you are bored at any given time, there’s always something to do.”
- “A really fun and addicting game, the music is top notch and you can entirely get lost in it while playing.”
- “The music goes way too crazy for no reason but gets repetitive by the end of the game.”
- “Music can be a bit annoying over time but apart from that this is a solid game to play when just chilling.”
- “The music is very chill albeit a bit monotone - additional songs would be a big boon for it, but not a requirement.”
graphics
274 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
59%
40%
1%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro aesthetic, featuring simple yet colorful visuals that evoke nostalgia for early programming days. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the effective use of minimalist design, which enhances the overall gameplay experience, despite some reports of overwhelming visual effects in later stages. The combination of engaging graphics and a well-crafted soundtrack contributes to a satisfying and immersive gaming experience.
- “Nodebuster is an addictive incremental game that combines simple yet colorful visuals with satisfying idle mechanics.”
- “The retro-style graphics are colorful and nostalgic, reminiscent of early programming days.”
- “Great care is given to the presentation, with highly engaging graphics that remain clear and readable (which I'm sure wasn't easy to accomplish given how busy the screen can become at times), and a weighty sound design that is so important to the feel of a good screen clear and which contrasts wonderfully with the atmospheric music.”
- “First off, the visuals get noisy the later in the game you get, to the point that the dev should probably add a seizure warning.”
- “The actual gameplay isn't fun, the art style isn't appealing, it's very short.”
- “This is the first time I've ever been motion sick looking at a video game, and that was after I made all the graphics as simple as possible.”
grinding
222 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
9%
89%
Overall, players find the grinding in the game to be manageable and often rewarding, with many noting that it doesn't feel excessively tedious until the very end. While some sections may become repetitive, particularly towards the conclusion, the game maintains a satisfying progression system that keeps players engaged. The balance between grinding and immediate rewards is generally well-received, making it a fun experience despite some minor grindy moments.
- “Not too grindy yet feels rewarding at the same time.”
- “The game mechanics are simple and easy to get into, and the upgrade/skill tree is expertly designed to keep you hooked while not being grindy.”
- “Amazing art style, not too long and not too grindy, relaxing music, cheap, overall super fun game.”
- “Towards the end it got a tad grindy, but overall it's fine taking into account the length of the game.”
- “Finished the game in just under 3 hours, however the final hour where you're just grinding for boss points and more money things isn't very fun to me.”
- “The end-game gets quite grindy after about prestige 16 or so and the singular research tree node is a bit predictable, especially when the singularity word comes about.”
replayability
142 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
46%
37%
Overall, the game has been criticized for its low replayability, with many players noting that it is short (typically around 3-6 hours) and lacks significant content or mechanics to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some users express hope for future updates to enhance replay value, the consensus is that the game is enjoyable for a single session but does not offer much incentive to return after completion.
- “Hoping they release more tech tree options so the game has replayability; I would love to have to think about different builds.”
- “Sure, I'd love for it to have even more upgrades, but the game feels complete, and there is some replayability in choosing what upgrade path you want to take on another playthrough.”
- “An enjoyable, relaxing game that reminded me of a classic flash game in terms of its length, difficulty, and replayability.”
- “It's very short - and I don't see a ton of replay value.”
- “The only downside is there isn't really any replayability as once you start a new game, it's just the same thing over and over again.”
- “Very fun the first time you play but there is absolutely no replayability at the time of this review.”
story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
67%
12%
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal or simplistic, with some players appreciating the light narrative elements and character arcs, while others feel it lacks depth and complexity. Many reviews suggest that while the game can be enjoyable without a strong story, a more developed narrative could enhance the experience and provide greater engagement. Overall, the consensus is that the game has a basic storyline that serves its purpose but leaves room for improvement.
- “Actually good tells a story while being very relaxing.”
- “I like the story arc, how the main characters are introduced, the choice of love interests, and the character design.”
- “The story has a nice balance of action and romance.”
- “There is no story and the gameplay is very basic.”
- “It just has a 'pseudo story' that ends and that is it.”
- “And without a story, games with no replayability become utterly pointless.”
humor
30 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it both addictive and entertaining, often leading to laughter throughout the gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with challenge, making it a fun experience despite its short duration of around three to four hours. Overall, it is recommended as a light-hearted game that provides a good laugh and is worth the low price.
- “If you’re looking for a mix of humor and challenge, this is a great pick!”
- “After a couple of key upgrades, I was consistently laughing hysterically at how overpowered I suddenly felt... until I attempted the next tier and faced the next 4-sided purple demon boss.”
- “Damn, I need updates and more content please! 11/10 was very funny to shut my brain off for 4 hours.”
optimization
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
47%
15%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance on various platforms, including older PCs and the Steam Deck. However, some users noted issues with fullscreen mode, resource management during idle gameplay, and the need for improvements in drop spawning mechanics. While the performance is solid, there are calls for further optimization in future updates, particularly for idle gameplay scenarios.
- “Took me about 3 hours to beat, but I went really optimized with what I unlocked and when.”
- “I tend to enjoy them for the optimization of upgrades and trying to minimize the hours spent waiting.”
- “Very optimized, low CPU & GPU use on a 6-year-old PC, only too much resources on ground lower performance.”
- “Entertaining but could use some optimization when spawning the drops, like Minecraft that combines the experience orbs to avoid the computer dying.”
- “Looking forward to future updates, needs work on some things like a pause menu and heavily needs optimization for the idle style it becomes at the end.”
- “Slightly bad optimization that only really happens if you go entirely AFK, which is not the point.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The monetization model of the game is praised for being affordable, free of ads, DLC, and microtransactions, contributing to an addictive and satisfying experience. Reviewers commend the developers for creating a fun game without the typical monetization pitfalls, expressing hope for future content or a sequel.
- “Good job game dev for creating a fun game without season pass and microtransactions.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
16%
17%
The game's atmosphere is characterized by phenomenal music that fosters a sense of infinite chill, complemented by engaging graphics and a weighty sound design. However, the final cutscene diverges from this tranquil vibe, introducing a jarring scare that some players found inconsistent with the overall atmosphere. Overall, the presentation is carefully crafted, balancing clarity and immersion amidst the busy visuals.
- “The music is phenomenal as it just creates this atmosphere of infinite chill.”
- “Great care is given to the presentation, with highly engaging graphics that remain clear and readable (which I'm sure wasn't easy to accomplish given how busy the screen can become at times), and a weighty sound design that is so important to the feel of a good screen clear and which contrasts wonderfully with the atmospheric music.”
- “The final cutscene was scary and didn't fit the chill atmosphere the game had for me.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a strong sense of joy and nostalgia, with players expressing that it evokes positive feelings and a sense of satisfaction. The repetition of the phrase "Bustin' made me feel good" underscores the game's ability to resonate emotionally with its audience.
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development is praised for its engaging story arc and well-introduced main characters, alongside appealing love interests and thoughtful character design.
- “I like the story arc, how the main characters are introduced, the choice of love interests, and the character design.”