Nuclear Blaze

Fire’ll be here for a good time, not for a long time.

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"Nuclear Blaze" is a 2D firefighting game where you navigate through a mysterious facility, battling devastating backdrafts and explosions. With smooth controls and attention to detail, players must use their fire hose strategically to control the blaze and uncover the truth about Site 16. The game also includes a "Kid mode" designed for young children. This is not a roguelite/like/vania game.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 303 reviews

gameplay53 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Engaging and unique firefighting mechanics that provide a satisfying gameplay experience.
Beautiful pixel art and atmospheric music enhance the overall enjoyment of the game.
Customizable difficulty settings, including a kid-friendly mode, make it accessible for players of all ages.

The game is very short, typically taking only 1-3 hours to complete, which may leave players wanting more.
Some players experienced frustrating checkpoint systems and clunky controls, particularly during later levels.
The narrative and level design can feel one-dimensional, lacking depth and variety as the game progresses.

gameplay
96 mentions
55 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Nuclear Blaze" is characterized by its engaging firefighting mechanics, tight controls, and appealing pixel art, providing a satisfying blend of action and puzzle-solving. While many players appreciate the unique core mechanics and the challenge of managing fire spread, some criticize the simplicity and lack of depth in certain areas, suggesting that the game could benefit from more varied content and enemy types. Overall, it delivers a fun and visually appealing experience, though opinions vary on its replayability and depth.
- “The core gameplay is fun.”
- “Nuclear Blaze fully expands on its core mechanics and in some places exceeds expectations.”
- “The firefighting mechanics are satisfying to use, and in the later levels, you need to be fast if you don't want the fire to spread everywhere.”
- “Normally I am fine with simple gameplay, but simple and boring are not the same thing, and this feels really lacking.”
- “And I really dislike the whole 'play the game again after finishing it, this time with a few changes that make it harder!' It's lazy and annoying; just make more levels with the new mechanics.”
- “The gameplay loop is pretty plain, and some things like ladders and door opening just aren't handled particularly well.”
graphics
39 mentions
64 % positive mentions
28 % neutral mentions
8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their vibrant pixel art style, cohesive design, and attention to detail, creating an engaging visual experience. Many reviewers noted the appealing aesthetic and how it complements the gameplay, although some mentioned occasional visibility issues. Overall, the combination of charming visuals and solid sound design contributes to a captivating atmosphere that enhances the gaming experience.
- “The graphics in particular are wonderful with all the different colors mixing together in a symphony of flame and steel.”
- “The graphics are nicely done here, especially in the use of color, light, and highlights.”
- “Magnificent visuals and pretty tight controls.”
- “The graphics are cohesive, though once or twice I did find myself growling, 'WTF, I couldn't see that.' Pixel art typically gets labeled 'retro,' but I don't feel that label applies to this game.”
- “The graphics, sound, gameplay, and style are all handcrafted with a lot of heart and are smooth and just feel on point.”
- “Without any of the normal horror trappings (blood, monsters, freaky visuals), this game managed to be decently creepy, and I like that.”
story
31 mentions
55 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally well-received, with players appreciating its intriguing elements and connections to the SCP universe, which enhance the atmosphere and sense of discovery. While some find the narrative to be simple or lacking depth, many enjoy the blend of humor and mystery that keeps them engaged throughout the gameplay. Overall, the story complements the enjoyable platforming mechanics and beautiful pixel art, making it a worthwhile experience for players.
- “Fun gameplay, challenging levels, multiple ways to scale the difficulty, and a story that is very intriguing with a lot of fun jokes worked in along the way.”
- “The pixel art is absolutely stunning and the little tidbits of story you get along the way had me wanting to keep going to find out more and finally see what this 'anomaly' was (not disappointed. got a chuckle out of it).”
- “The music, ambiance, graphical style, and simple storyline are what makes this game shine, and those features alone make the game worth experiencing.”
- “There is a story of sorts here, but it just falls so incredibly flat.”
- “It almost feels like it would've been better if there was no story at all, just your little fireman dude and the flames and the destruction they caused.”
- “I was very disappointed with the story.”
music
28 mentions
82 % positive mentions
18 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the retro aesthetic, with many reviewers highlighting its catchy, atmospheric qualities that complement the gameplay. The soundtrack features a mix of styles, including surf and metal riffs, which effectively match the game's action and environments, creating an engaging experience. Overall, the combination of solid music, vibrant pixel art, and enjoyable gameplay contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
- “Nuclear Blaze is an addictive gameplay, stunning visuals, and a killer soundtrack; this game is a must-play for any casual gamer looking for a fun and thrilling experience.”
- “The environments in this game are truly beautifully drawn, with brilliant use of color in the gameplay; the music, like the art, is fantastic, and the game changes the music up enough to avoid feeling repetitive.”
- “Lovely 2D platformer with gorgeous pixel art and atmospheric music.”
atmosphere
11 mentions
73 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its vibrant colors, detailed pixel art, and atmospheric music, creating a visually striking and immersive experience. Players appreciate the sense of urgency and discovery, enhanced by the game's setting, which balances a slightly spooky yet fun tone. While the overall atmosphere is compelling, some players felt the ending did not fully match the quality of the preceding experience.
- “Lovely 2D platformer with gorgeous pixel art and atmospheric music.”
- “The atmosphere is just right for a slightly spooky, but fun and cute game.”
- “While there is no complex or extensive story, the setting and atmosphere help to create a sense of urgency and discovery.”
- “The vibrant colors and carefully crafted details help create a visually striking and cohesive atmosphere that is a feast for the eyes.”
replayability
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers some replayability through hidden areas and difficulty tweaks, but many users feel that the overall experience is limited and not worth the price for extended playtime. While there are elements to encourage multiple playthroughs, such as secret rooms and collectibles, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged.
- “I think replayability is pretty good with all the hidden areas to find.”
- “I find it quite replayable though.”
- “But don't buy this for the replay value.”
- “I don't think it's not worth the price or anything, but paying £7 for 2 hours of fun is quite steep; for that price, you can buy a bunch of much longer and more replayable games that will give you more playtime for the same price.”
- “There's some replayability if you want to find all the secret rooms and rescue all the kittens, and some difficulty tweaks in the settings, but it's going to play out largely the same.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a charming sense of humor, highlighted by references like "this is fine," and provides genuinely fun moments that resonate with players. While the humor contributes positively to the experience, it is somewhat overshadowed by less engaging level design. Overall, players appreciate the comedic elements, which enhance their enjoyment of the game.
- “The game has a few genuinely fun parts, beautiful fire effects, and a nice sense of humor (yes, there is a 'this is fine' reference).”
- “It was a huge hit; he was laughing with delight as he put out fires, and he hasn’t stopped talking about it.”
- “It also has a fair bit of humor.”
stability
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
Overall, the game runs smoothly on platforms like the Steam Deck, showcasing clean pixel art and enjoyable mechanics. However, players have reported issues with the checkpoint system, including inconsistent respawn points and loss of inventory items, indicating some stability concerns.
- “Awesome simple short game - nice clean pixel art, fun mechanic of firefighting, runs great on Steam Deck!”
- “The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs, providing a stable experience throughout.”
- “I appreciate how well-optimized the game is; it maintains a steady frame rate even during intense moments.”
- “The checkpoint system is quite buggy; sometimes I get kicked further into a level when I die, other times I lose keys from my inventory, or have to redo scripted events that have already occurred.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing significant progress.”
- “I've experienced multiple instances of the game freezing, forcing me to restart and lose my saved data.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally engaging due to its cinematic feel and intense moments, such as the dramatic explosions and the high stakes of navigating fire hazards. However, the frustration from sudden, unexpected deaths can lead to a rollercoaster of emotions, particularly when players are close to completing a level.
- “The explosions that occur make the game feel cinematic, and the elements of opening doors leading to back-drafts made me feel like it came directly from a movie.”
- “The act of merely touching a wall or floor on fire results in an instant death, which has subsequently led to a handful of very frustrating deaths where I had nearly finished a level, but then didn't react to a fire developing underneath my feet in time or made a bad jump and had to start it all over again.”