Nubby's Number Factory

About

In "Nubby's Number Factory," players operate a number-making machine by launching the spherical character, Nubby, down a pegboard to create increasingly large numbers. The goal is to meet production quotas and prevent the sun's immediate explosion, while over 50 unique items can be harnessed for creative solutions to surpass ever-expanding quotas. This plinko-style roguelike offers a blend of strategy, chance, and number-based challenges.

Genres & Tags

Strategy

Play Modes

Single-Player

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,169 reviews

graphics155 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Nubby's Number Factory offers a unique blend of nostalgia and addictive gameplay, reminiscent of classic 90s edutainment games.
The game features a variety of items and perks that create interesting synergies, allowing for creative and powerful builds.
At only $5, the game provides excellent value for hours of entertainment, with frequent updates and improvements from the developer.

The game suffers from significant RNG elements, making runs feel overly reliant on luck rather than skill, which can lead to frustrating experiences.
Some items and perks are poorly balanced, with many being either too weak or too powerful, limiting the variety of viable strategies.
Physics issues can lead to unpredictable bounces, causing runs to end abruptly and detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

graphics
336 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their nostalgic charm, evoking the aesthetics of late 90s and early 2000s computer games, reminiscent of educational titles and early internet visuals. Reviewers appreciate the quirky, low-poly art style and the cohesive sound design, which together create a fun and engaging experience, despite some noting that the intentionally janky visuals may not appeal to everyone. Overall, the game's retro aesthetic is seen as a significant strength, enhancing its addictive gameplay and providing a delightful throwback for players.
- “The graphics are on point, the gameplay is superb, and the music/sound is totally correct.”
- “This game nails the art style perfectly, and the gameplay is super fun.”
- “The immensely charming visuals, the amazing music, the numbers going up, the sound design... it's damn near perfect.”
- “The graphics remind me of the old internet with its silly, and simple charm.”
- “The graphics in this one are pretty charming to me - like it was made in 2003, but people who expect real life graphics definitely should avoid this game.”
- “Weird graphics that feel like a back-scratcher on my brain.”
gameplay
239 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
53%
3%
The gameplay of "Nubby's Number Factory" is characterized by its addictive and satisfying mechanics, blending elements of plinko and roguelike strategy to create a unique experience. Players enjoy the simplicity of launching nubby down a pegboard while building synergies with various items, although some express concerns about the randomness and balance of certain mechanics. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging loop, charming aesthetics, and potential for future content expansion, making it a compelling choice for fans of casual and roguelike games.
- “Do not be fooled by my current playtime review; as far as gameplay goes, this game is a gem and a real dopamine simulator.”
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying and addicting.”
- “Nubby’s number factory is a fantastic mix of classic plinko mechanics and roguelike strategy, wrapped in a quirky, surreal art style.”
- “The game is about a build making because there is no gameplay behind launching a ball.”
- “I play games to be challenged and entertained, not to fight against unpredictable mechanics that punish me no matter what I do.”
- “The balancing of items feels quite poor and there are a lot of items and mechanics that seem pretty useless, leading to low variation in viable builds and the classic mode of the game feeling very samey after only a few runs.”
music
97 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
49%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic charm, effectively complementing the retro aesthetic and gameplay experience. Players describe the soundtrack as catchy, relaxing, and reminiscent of the 90s and early 2000s, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game. While many appreciate the existing tracks, some express a desire for more variety in the music to further enrich the experience.
- “The immensely charming visuals, the amazing music, the numbers going up, the sound design... it's damn near perfect.”
- “Everything feels great, the sound design, the visuals, and the music all blend together to make an incredible roguelike.”
- “The music is entrancing and the art style is hilarious and reminiscent of old 90s websites and flash games, though this may turn off some people.”
- “I wish there were a few more songs, and I hope to see additional content, whether it's free or not.”
- “Wish there were more different songs instead of alt versions of one song, but it still handles this better than Balatro.”
- “Was hoping for more music as the track that plays during the gameplay is pretty numbing.”
humor
81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and playful design, with players frequently laughing at the quirky visuals and nonsensical elements, such as "funny balls" and unexpected item combinations. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke nostalgia through its 90s-inspired art style while delivering a lighthearted experience filled with amusing scenarios and sound effects. Overall, the humor enhances the gameplay, making it an enjoyable and entertaining experience for those who appreciate a silly, childlike sense of fun.
- “Picking perks, optimizing your builds, praying your math holds up — all while laughing at how absurdly fun it is to make numbers go higher than they have any right to.”
- “The humor and absurd scenarios, like meeting quotas to prevent the sun from exploding, add to the charm.”
- “The art style is so engaging, and the humor inherent in it hits all the right notes.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
30%
7%
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players enjoying its fun mechanics, diverse characters, and engaging challenges that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some reviewers note limitations in item variety and potential repetitiveness, the majority find the gameplay addictive and rewarding, making it a worthwhile experience for both casual and dedicated players. The game's aesthetic and soundtrack further enhance its replay value, solidifying its appeal as a compelling title.
- “This game, on top of being excessively fun and highly replayable, feels very nostalgic to me.”
- “Amazing replayability, truly an engaging game.”
- “With a lot of depth, replayability, and promised content for years to come, definitely a game you could play for hundreds of hours.”
- “There's like 12 items in the entire game and I want to love it, but it's too repetitive with very little replayability.”
- “There isn't really a ton of replayability for me here due to the limited item pools and there really being only a couple of super viable loadouts, and even the fact that the soft cap on scoring is extremely easily obtainable, but I think that's fine as well.”
- “In my opinion, there is a lack of items, perks, and foods, which makes the game overall less replayable and forces you into certain synergies and combos.”
emotional
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is profoundly impactful, with players expressing a range of feelings from joy to heartbreak. Many reviewers highlight the relatable backstory of the character "nubby," which resonates deeply and evokes tears, while the gameplay itself is described as an emotional rollercoaster that challenges players both mentally and emotionally. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt storytelling and nostalgic aesthetics, making it a memorable experience that leaves a lasting impression.
- “Ending made me cry.”
- “Emotionally life changing must play.”
- “I cried real tears when Tony said 'together we are Nubby's number factory!' and they started nubbying Nubby.”
story
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
70%
15%
The game's storytelling is widely praised as one of the best in modern gaming, with emotionally resonant themes and relatable character backstories, particularly highlighting the protagonist's struggles. Reviewers note its masterful narrative execution, suggesting it sets a high bar for future games, while contrasting it with other titles that prioritize graphics over compelling stories. Overall, the narrative is seen as a standout feature that elevates the gaming experience significantly.
- “Probably one of the best pieces of storytelling media in our time.”
- “The story, to put it simply and to prevent any spoilers, moved me emotionally.”
- “It is a masterclass in storytelling through the medium of video games, and there's a possibility that nothing like this can be reached again.”
- “☑ no story”
- “☐ no story”
- “This feels like a made-up video game that a stereotypical nerdy kid in a 2000s movie would obsess over as a mild plot point.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
7%
85%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience. While it offers enjoyable dopamine farming and quick retries that minimize frustration, many also note that it can become tedious, especially when luck affects shop pulls or when builds become overly repetitive. Recent updates have further contributed to this tedium, making early gameplay feel less engaging and introducing mechanics that rely heavily on RNG.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Getting the ball rolling often feels kind of tedious, especially when you get unlucky with your shop pulls.”
- “Very cool game and I really recommend experiencing it, however after playing it a lot (outside Steam, because I dislike loading it just to play a single game), I find it extremely easy to break, and when you get some disgustingly broken build that just 9999x every round, the gameplay becomes very repetitive and grindy, and it's not fun trying to get high scores for that reason.”
- “It became tedious and there's seemingly no way to save and continue later.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
73%
The game generally performs well across various systems, including high-end and mid-range setups, and is particularly stable on the Steam Deck. However, users report several bugs and glitches, including crashes that can disrupt gameplay and lead to lost progress. Despite these issues, the developer is actively addressing them, and many players find the experience enjoyable despite the occasional instability.
- “Fun game runs great on my 7800X3D with the AMD 970XT Sapphire Nitro+.”
- “Well optimized, runs great on a 4060!”
- “I usually play this in short sessions, and it runs great on Steam Deck.”
- “I fire my nubby, the game proceeds to throw up an error sign telling me something along the lines of 'cannot divide by zero' and freezes my run and aborts the game, deleting that run and the score with it, forever.”
- “This game is a slightly buggy mess, but in the single best possible way, a crash signifies a run well done.”
- “Really fun but pretty buggy, though the dev is very active about the issues.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The game's optimization is generally well-received, particularly for its smooth performance on the Steam Deck, though some users report freezing issues on PC during initial runs. It appeals to a wide audience, from casual players to those who enjoy deep optimization mechanics, but there are concerns about the lack of achievements on Steam and some performance inconsistencies. Overall, the game's design and mechanics are praised, highlighting a strong focus on optimization and user engagement.
- “I recommend this game to uber-casual fans that need a good game after work to chill out to, complete dorks that froth at the mouth for min-maxing and optimization, honest maximalist numberphiles, and general audiences of any skill level.”
- “Every click, every calculation, every perfect optimization feeds the machine.”
- “Great little roguelike, mentions achievements in game but has none on Steam (so I assume that is coming later?), weirdly had no stuttering on Steam Deck but on my actual PC it had issues freezing on the first few throws during new runs.”
- “Forget a bad performance review, everyone's life counts on you and nubby.”
- “Rather, the literal fate of the universe rests on your job performance.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's graphics evoke a well-executed 2000s aesthetic, contributing to a nostalgic and immersive atmosphere. While player interaction is minimal, the simple interface enhances enjoyment and engagement within this captivating environment.
- “The graphics are reminiscent of the 2000s, yet they are supremely well done, creating an excellent atmosphere.”
- “While there isn't too much active participation from the player, the game's simple interface and nostalgic atmosphere allow for extremely enjoyable engagement.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Nubby's character development in the third act is particularly impactful, evoking strong emotional responses from players, with some even finding it tear-jerking.
- “Nubby's character development in the third act brought tears to my eyes.”
- “The way the characters evolve throughout the story is truly remarkable.”
- “I was amazed at how deeply the characters were fleshed out, making their journeys feel incredibly personal.”

Buy Nubby's Number Factory

Nubby's Number Factory
$4.99
See offer on Steam

6h Median play time

10h Average play time

4-13h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 19 analyzed playthroughs

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