Nominal

About

Nominal is a single player and multiplayer simulation game. It was developed by Offworld Systems LLC and was released on February 9, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

Nominal is a light-sim, puzzle game that puts you in the merciless cockpit of an alternate-history, 1960’s spacecraft. Played either solo, or via asymmetric multiplayer, you must step into the cockpit of the Odyssey, a beautifully delicate and superbly particular piece of machinery, budget parts, and try to survive. In the (probable) event of a failure, you or your Mission Control (friends) must …

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82%

Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews

humor1 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

The game offers a charming and immersive experience with a well-crafted environment and authentic spacecraft design.
Gameplay is enjoyable and intense, especially when played with friends, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere.
The manual and game mechanics provide a satisfying challenge, requiring teamwork and communication to solve problems.

The game can become repetitive and easy once players learn the manual and standard procedures, leading to a lack of long-term engagement.
There is a limited variety of hazards and challenges, which can make gameplay feel formulaic and predictable.
Some players feel the game is overpriced for the content it currently offers, suggesting it lacks sufficient depth and replayability.

story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The game "Nominal" features a minimalistic story, focusing on an asymmetric multiplayer experience where one player pilots a malfunctioning spacecraft while others assist from mission control. The narrative is primarily conveyed through the in-universe ship operator's manual, which includes detailed descriptions and light humor, but overall, players should not expect a deep storyline.
- “Nominal is an asymmetric multiplayer party game, where a single player takes on the role of pilot of the doomed spacecraft Odyssey while the rest of the players work together as mission control to assist the pilot in correcting whatever has gone awry onboard the Odyssey.”
- “The pilot relays information to mission control about the various lights, dials, and switches in the spacecraft; mission control, armed with this information and the Odyssey's trusty ship operator's manual, instructs the pilot on how to get all the systems functional again.”
- “☑ no story”
- “Just know that you won't be getting too much playtime out of it unless you regularly invite new players to be in charge of mission control.”
- “Down in mission control, flipping through the thorough ship operator's manual, written in-universe, you're met with detailed descriptions of the ship's various systems as well as some light 60's humor.”
music
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The music in the game is complemented by additional sound effects when players are in the cockpit, enhancing the immersive experience.
- “The music and sound effects really enhance the experience when in the cockpit.”
- “The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, making every moment feel immersive.”
- “The variety of music tracks keeps the atmosphere fresh and engaging throughout the game.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous during gameplay.”
- “The sound effects are often overwhelming, drowning out the music and making it hard to enjoy.”
- “There are not enough tracks, and the ones that are there don't fit the game's atmosphere.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The graphics have been criticized for lacking dynamic effects, such as explosions or destruction, making the experience feel static and limited to a cockpit view. However, the overall aesthetic is appreciated, and some users still recommend the game for its visual appeal.
- “The aesthetic is great, and if it interests you, I definitely recommend it.”
- “On top of that, there are no cool graphics or anything when you explode or when stuff starts breaking; it's like you are basically looking at a still image of a cockpit and clicking a few buttons.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The gameplay of Nominal is characterized by its immersive and visually appealing world, setting it apart from other party games that often lean towards abstract or absurd mechanics. Players appreciate the balance between engaging gameplay and a believable environment.
- “It's just gameplay.”
- “While other party games with similar mechanics trend towards the abstract or even absurd, the team at Offworld Systems has crafted a believable and beautiful world for Nominal.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
100%
Players indicate that grinding in the game can be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment or additional lives to progress effectively.
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel earned.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a lighthearted, 60's-inspired tone, particularly evident in the in-universe ship operator's manual, which combines detailed technical descriptions with playful comedic elements.
- “Down in mission control, flipping through the thorough ship operator's manual, written in-universe, you're met with detailed descriptions of the ship's various systems as well as some light 60's humor.”