Nova Drift

About

"Nova Drift" is an action-packed space combat game where you control a rapidly evolving bio-mechanical ship. With over 250 weapons and mods, you can create a unique build every run, chaining upgrade modules for powerful synergies. Games are quick, allowing for rapid experimentation and advancement, making it a great choice for players who want to enjoy a challenging and rewarding experience in a single game session.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

+17

97%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,315 reviews

gameplay348 positive mentions

story20 negative mentions

Extremely addictive gameplay with a vast variety of builds and upgrades.
Visually stunning with great sound design, creating an engaging atmosphere.
Offers a unique control scheme that, while initially challenging, adds depth to the gameplay.

Controls can feel clunky and unintuitive, especially for players used to twin-stick shooters.
The game can become repetitive after extended play, with some builds overshadowing others.
Difficulty spikes can feel unfair, leading to sudden deaths that may frustrate players.

gameplay
759 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The gameplay of Nova Drift is characterized by its blend of classic arcade mechanics reminiscent of Asteroids and deep roguelite elements, offering a highly customizable experience with a vast array of build options and synergies. Players can expect a smooth, engaging gameplay loop that rewards experimentation and mastery, though some find the initial difficulty curve unchallenging and the controls somewhat awkward. Overall, the game is praised for its addictive nature, replayability, and the satisfaction derived from crafting unique ship builds and navigating dynamic combat scenarios.
- “The gameplay is extremely fun, with a solid and satisfying loop that keeps you coming back for more.”
- “The gameplay is polished, the new draft mode is spectacular, and there are nearly infinite possibilities for builds, all in an arcade-game style format.”
- “The gameplay loop is straightforward: get as far as you can in a run against endless waves of increasingly difficult enemies.”
- “If you're new to the roguelite genre this may not be a problem for you, but those with experience in roguelites and/or theory-crafting games will quickly identify synergies and be promptly punished with extremely boring gameplay.”
- “The gameplay itself becomes very boring and repetitive after several hours, and there is a distinct lack of content which I can't see improving greatly till release.”
- “It's not worth it to play because the mechanics are incredibly frustrating.”
graphics
429 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
66%
34%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their beautiful, stylized visuals that effectively balance simplicity and vibrancy. Many players appreciate the clean, neon aesthetic that enhances gameplay without overwhelming the screen, while the sound design complements the visuals, creating an immersive experience. Overall, the graphics are described as polished, engaging, and a significant factor in the game's replayability and enjoyment.
- “As a game developer myself, this game has been some inspiration - the graphics are beautiful, the gameplay feels really crispy, the UX is just excellent.”
- “The graphics reach the gold standard of 'simple yet effective.'”
- “The visuals are stunning, and the gameplay is top tier.”
- “Also, the graphics are too simple; the ships are just shapes.”
- “The minimalist graphics convey nothing of excitement or spectacle, and any semblance of challenge must be earned through grinding.”
- “The graphics are simple, retro, stylized, and clean; leaving nothing to be desired, but they still remind you that it's a beautiful game.”
replayability
399 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
36%
1%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, with a vast array of weapon and upgrade combinations that encourage experimentation and strategic thinking. Players appreciate the diverse gameplay experiences, driven by a robust upgrade system and frequent updates from the developer, which enhance the game's longevity. Overall, it is highly recommended for those who enjoy roguelikes, as it offers nearly infinite replay value and engaging gameplay.
- “Every update makes it even better; all the options make the game experience highly customizable, and the combinations and interactions between upgrades make the replay value much higher than expected given the modest pool of choices.”
- “The amount of build variations allows for near infinite replayability!”
- “The endless capacity for each run to be unique with ship modifications, weapons, enemies, and more makes each run fun in its own right, and with enemies 2.0 just around the corner, it's going to become even more replayable.”
- “New strategies are hardly ever rewarded and this takes away replayability after you discover this.”
- “While the replayability is high, it can become highly repetitive, which does prevent me from playing it for longer periods.”
- “The only problem currently, that I suppose will be addressed in the future, is that the replay value is driven mainly by the player's will to get high scores and try new builds and strategies; the game itself doesn't have an extensive unlock system (which is good in a way, you don't have to invest much to get everything) and the campaign and daily challenge aren't implemented yet, which means it's only a matter of time that the biggest downside of this game is no more.”
music
319 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
39%
2%
The music in "Nova Drift" has received widespread acclaim for its dynamic and immersive qualities, blending ambient and energetic electronic tracks that enhance the gameplay experience. While some players appreciate the soundtrack's ability to complement the action without being intrusive, others have noted a desire for more variety in the music. Overall, the game's sound design, including unique boss tracks, contributes significantly to its engaging atmosphere and replayability.
- “The music and sound design in Nova Drift is phenomenal; the background music is rather sombre, drained out by the sound of enemies and bullets, but bosses have unique tracks that absolutely kick ass.”
- “Nova Drift's soundtrack is a mesmerizing blend of spacey ambience and pulsating electronica. Each track feels tailor-made for cosmic warfare, enhancing the sense of immersion and urgency as you battle through the galaxy's most hostile environments.”
- “The music complements the game beautifully, giving a constant sense of momentum.”
- “The soundtrack is decent enough, but you will quickly hit a point where you've heard it all a million times and it just kinda becomes noise in the background.”
- “The only knock I have against the game so far is the soundtrack is really lackluster.”
- “I mute the music though, it's not catchy enough to listen to over and over again.”
story
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
7%
61%
33%
The game currently lacks a story or campaign mode, which has led to mixed feelings among players who enjoy narrative-driven experiences. Many reviewers note that a story mode is planned for future updates, but for now, the game primarily offers arcade-style gameplay without a plot. While some players appreciate the focus on pure fun and gameplay mechanics, others express disappointment over the absence of a narrative element.
- “In the year I've been playing it, it's somehow become jam-packed with content meanwhile hinting at a storyline to come that has me deeply intrigued.”
- “I am eagerly anticipating the campaign to have some story to go along with the frenetic shmup action, but this is absolutely a fantastic game already.”
- “The game as it is feels already done, but there is an entire story mode, more enemies, more mod trees, and more gear planned still.”
- “It is a bit of a unique game in today's climate, being mostly devoid of story and progression.”
- “At the time of writing, there isn't an ending or story mode, but the Steam achievements and in-game unlocks provide some extrinsic motivation.”
- “There is no story mode at the time of this writing, so it might feel a bit limited in content, but I believe that it is on the roadmap.”
humor
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the comedic elements to be a significant highlight. Many reviews mention the amusing interactions between upgrades, funny gameplay mechanics, and the overall wacky nature of the game, leading to countless hilarious moments and builds. Despite some criticisms of controls and community, the consensus is that the game delivers a consistently funny experience that enhances its enjoyment.
- “Grab your photon snacks, adjust your anti-gravity socks, and prepare for a detailed yet humor-laden review that dissects the game's technical aspects with surgical precision.”
- “There's no guarantee every build will be good, but bad builds are often humorous and always still fun.”
- “With at least close to a hundred viable builds for good runs and even more fun janky builds that are just hilarious to pull off.”
grinding
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
17%
80%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of Nova Drift to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the engaging gameplay and the satisfaction of unlocking new features, many feel that the process can be tedious and slow, especially at lower difficulties. The need to grind for upgrades and unlocks is often described as repetitive, with some players expressing that it detracts from the overall enjoyment, although others find it addictive and manageable. Overall, while grinding is a significant part of the game, opinions vary on whether it enhances or hinders the experience.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Enjoyable and satisfying for a little while, but for a rogue-lite game that prides itself on the '...near-endless player configurations..' there's way too much grinding involved.”
- “However, 90% of the time will be spent doing something else: grinding out the super mods you need (and it's quite a grind!), bumbling past the early-game to get your build going, retrying a couple of times when you got unlucky, etc.”
- “The only major downside to this game is the admittedly tedious unlock cycle.”
optimization
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
48%
10%
Overall, the game is praised for its exceptional optimization, running smoothly on a wide range of hardware, including low-end systems, without significant lag or crashes. Players appreciate the intuitive yet complex upgrade system that allows for both casual and advanced optimization strategies, contributing to a fluid gameplay experience. Frequent updates and responsive developer support further enhance the game's performance and user satisfaction.
- “It should also be said that Nova Drift is an incredibly well-optimized game. Even when using builds that are significantly more effective at killing the game than enemies, it has never crashed and only experiences a gradual slowdown of frames, to the point I only notice because the waves are going slower than usual.”
- “Also, for those worried about performance, the game is incredibly well optimized. I've played the enemies 2.0 beta (which increased system requirements by a fair bit already!) on an Intel HD 3000 and on a CPU that is 1.3 GHz, yet I can easily get consistent 60 FPS no matter how chaotic it gets. Even if you set it on low, it still looks stunning and beautiful.”
- “Tl;dr runs smoothly, well optimized, good upgrading system that is intuitive enough to be beginner-friendly but complex enough to do some eye-melting madness, and good sound and music.”
- “I get to spend an hour looking at upgrades and thinking about optimization only to die before it goes off.”
- “I also notice in later levels, leveling becomes way more inconsistent as multiple waves in a row drop sparse experience, but the occasional champion + elite + boss fight after those sparse waves is set at a difficulty higher than where your ship level could possibly be. This makes later stages much more challenging, which is interesting, but I find that way later into the game, this makes even legendary builds struggle more for economy than actual performance.”
- “My daily routine is to find a new optimized build that would suit the end-game, as progressing further and further with increasing difficulty levels.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and satisfying visuals, complemented by effective sound design and a relaxing soundtrack. Players appreciate the arcade-like feel and the balance between exhilarating gameplay and a tranquil ambiance, making it enjoyable despite the lack of a strong narrative. Overall, the atmosphere enhances the experience, contributing to both replayability and player engagement.
- “Great atmosphere, simple and satisfying visuals, effective sound design.”
- “The soundtrack and the visuals also piece together an atmosphere that is both relaxing and exhilarating when combined with the gameplay.”
- “The game's relaxing atmosphere helps too.”
- “Has functionally no plot whatsoever, so if story's your cup of tea, this ain't your game. But if you prefer a more arcade-like atmosphere, look no further.”
- “The music is a bit more on the quiet side, but it fits the tone and atmosphere the game has going for it.”
- “At night, it changes the atmosphere to feel like the day, so it's equally great.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
Overall, "Nova Drift" has shown a mixed stability performance during its early access phase. While some players report a smooth experience with minimal bugs, others have encountered issues such as buggy input detection and poor performance on Linux. However, many users commend the game's stability on platforms like the Steam Deck, highlighting its polished feel despite being in early development.
- “Runs great on Steam Deck and should be verified.”
- “Very fun game, runs great and has great visuals.”
- “In its journey through early access, Nova Drift has encountered its share of bugs and glitches.”
- “- Buggy input detection; there is often a mouse cursor on the screen even when not using a mouse.”
- “It's buggy on Linux and runs very badly (even with Proton).”
emotional
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting its ability to evoke feelings of attachment and heartbreak through gameplay mechanics and losses. The beautiful graphics and nostalgic gameplay enhance this emotional experience, while the anticipation of future content promises to provide a more satisfying narrative arc. Overall, the game serves as a comforting escape during uncertain times, fostering both excitement and emotional investment.
- “10/10 would cry again”
- “Each loss is heartbreaking but opens the door to more exciting and hopefully further runs!”
- “I want you to have my money and my heartfelt thanks for giving me something awesome and fun to obsess over during a weird and uncertain time in the world.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Reviewers appreciate the game's blend of classic arcade elements with modern gameplay, but express concern over the presence of microtransactions, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The monetization model is fair and doesn't feel intrusive, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend money.”
- “I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content, making it accessible for everyone while still providing optional purchases for those who want to enhance their experience.”
- “The balance between free and paid content is well done, ensuring that players can progress without needing to spend excessively.”
- “The monetization in this game feels excessive and detracts from the overall experience.”
- “I can't believe how many paywalls there are; it feels like you can't progress without spending money.”
- “The constant push for in-game purchases ruins the enjoyment and makes it feel more like a cash grab than a game.”