Nodebuster

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 4,815 reviews
  • gameplay
  • music
  • graphics
Nodebuster Game Cover
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"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."

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Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 4,815 reviews
gameplay158 positive mentions
grinding99 negative mentions
  • gameplay342 mentions

    The gameplay of this game is characterized by a simple yet addictive loop that combines incremental mechanics with engaging upgrades, providing a satisfying experience for around 3 to 6 hours. Players appreciate the relaxing atmosphere, enhanced by a great soundtrack, although some note that the gameplay can become repetitive and less engaging towards the end. Overall, it offers a fun, casual experience that is well-suited for those looking for a quick, enjoyable gaming session without complex mechanics.

    • “The pacing actually adds to the relaxed feel, allowing players to ease into the mechanics without pressure.”
    • “The gameplay is simple but still adds variation to give you a reason to continue playing; the music is perfect.”
    • “The gameplay loop is fun and rewarding, and the power increase from each level of talents is fun to work towards.”
    • “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.”
  • music264 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its relaxing and chill qualities, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as soothing, enjoyable, and well-complemented by the game's visuals and mechanics. While some note that the music can become repetitive over time, the general consensus is that it significantly contributes to the game's addictive and satisfying nature.

    • “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.”
    • “The music is relaxing and the gameplay is quite intuitive.”
    • “The music goes way too crazy for no reason but gets repetitive by the end of the game.”
    • “The music is very chill albeit a bit monotone - additional songs would be a big boon for it, but not a requirement.”
    • “Music can be a bit annoying over time but apart from that this is a solid game to play when just chilling.”
  • graphics137 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro aesthetic, featuring simple yet colorful visuals that evoke nostalgia. Players appreciate the attention to detail and the effective use of flashy effects, although some have noted that the visuals can become overwhelming at times. Overall, the combination of engaging graphics and a well-matched soundtrack contributes to a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience.

    • “Nodebuster is an addictive incremental game that combines simple yet colorful visuals with satisfying idle mechanics.”
    • “The graphics are simplified but at the same time compelling - I enjoy the used filters to create a CRT-like feeling.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, great soundtrack, and fun progression.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding111 mentions

    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 in the final hour, the game maintains a satisfying progression and offers a variety of mechanics that keep the experience engaging. Many reviewers appreciate the balance between grinding and immediate rewards, making it a fun and relatively short experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Fun little incremental game, satisfying, not grindy.”
    • “Towards the end it got a tad grindy, but overall it's fine taking into account the length of the game.”
    • “The last hour before you finish the game is just grinding to get the last upgrades and to fill up the 'god virus' to finish 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 isn't very fun to me.”
  • replayability71 mentions

    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 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.”
    • “Implementing a replayability option, where you wipe your save data but get some unique currency to spend on unique upgrades, would be a great addition.”
    • “Definitely worth the money, although it's an unfinished game and 6 hours is all I'm gonna get out of it; it has no replayability for me.”
    • “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 game but not much replayability; would really love to see this game get future content updates.”
  • story42 mentions

    The game's story aspect is generally perceived as minimal or simplistic, with some players appreciating the creative elements and satisfying conclusions despite the lack of depth. While a few reviews express a desire for more narrative content or character development, others argue that the gameplay's enjoyment does not rely heavily on a complex story. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the story is not a focal point, it adds a pleasant touch to the experience.

    • “Actually good; it 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.”
    • “Overall, 8.5/10; even the little bit of story the game has is kind of neat.”
    • “There's no real story, but there is an ending.”
    • “There is no story and the gameplay is very basic.”
    • “It just has a 'pseudo story' that ends, and that is it.”
  • humor15 mentions

    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 its comedic elements, making it a fun experience despite its short length, with some players expressing a desire for additional content or updates to enhance the humor further. Overall, it is considered a great value for its price, providing a lighthearted escape for a few hours.

    • “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! More content please! 11/10 was very funny to shut my brain off for 4 hours.”
  • optimization13 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance on various platforms, including the Steam Deck. However, some users noted issues such as the lack of fullscreen mode, resource-heavy item spawning, and a need for improvements in idle gameplay scenarios. While many found the price-to-performance ratio favorable, there are calls for further updates to enhance optimization features.

    • “Took me about 3 hours to beat, but I went really optimized with what I unlocked and when.”
    • “The game runs smoothly and is beautifully stylized.”
    • “Very optimized, low CPU & GPU use on a 6-year-old PC, only too much resources on ground lower performance.”
    • “Performance is fine, gameplay is somewhat lacking.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization model of the game is praised for being affordable, free of ads and DLC, and for avoiding microtransactions and season passes, contributing to an addictive and satisfying experience. Players appreciate the developer's approach and express hope for future content or a sequel.

    • “Good job, game devs, for creating a fun game without a season pass or microtransactions.”
    • “I appreciate that the game offers a complete experience without pushing for additional purchases.”
    • “It's refreshing to see a game that prioritizes player enjoyment over aggressive monetization strategies.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by phenomenal music that fosters a sense of relaxation, complemented by engaging graphics and a weighty sound design that enhances the overall experience. However, the final cutscene diverges from this chill vibe, introducing a jarring element that some players found unsettling.

    • “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, 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.”
    • “The game lacked a cohesive atmosphere, making it hard to immerse myself in the world.”
    • “Despite the beautiful graphics, the atmosphere felt empty and lifeless.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a sense of joy and nostalgia, with players expressing that it evokes positive feelings and a connection to memorable experiences.

  • character development1 mentions

    Reviewers appreciate the character development for its engaging story arc, well-introduced main characters, thoughtful selection of love interests, and appealing character design.

    • “I love the story arc, how the main characters are introduced, the choice of love interests, and the character design.”
    • “The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
    • “Each character feels unique and evolves throughout the game, making every decision impactful.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

4hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 142 analyzed playthroughs

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