Nuclear Dawn
- September 26, 2011
- GameConnect
- 152h median play time
A surprisingly deep and well-designed FPS/RTS hybrid. A Team Fortress 2 alternative that needs a community to thrive.
Get on Steam"Nuclear Dawn" is a first-person shooter and real-time strategy game hybrid. Players can choose to play as either a commander, controlling their team's base and resources, or as a soldier, engaged in tactical combat. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world, where two factions, the Consortium and the Empire, fight for control over the ruined lands. The ultimate goal is to destroy the enemy's base and secure victory.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- Unique blend of FPS and RTS gameplay that encourages teamwork and strategy.
- Diverse classes with different abilities and playstyles, allowing for varied gameplay experiences.
- Engaging community that supports new players and organizes events.
- Severely low player base, making it difficult to find matches with real players.
- Some gameplay mechanics can feel unbalanced, particularly with turret placements and commander roles.
- Bugs and glitches that can detract from the overall experience, especially in the tutorial and commander functions.
- gameplay120 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a hybrid of first-person shooter (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) mechanics, offering a unique experience that emphasizes teamwork and strategic planning. While many players appreciate the innovative combination and solid mechanics, some criticize the game's aging graphics, lack of player base, and occasional balance issues, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as engaging and rewarding, particularly for those who enjoy team-based strategies, but it may not hold up as well for solo players or those unfamiliar with the genre.
“Amazing concept and gameplay.”
“The gameplay is well structured, the maps are well detailed and strategic, and there's always a decent amount of players.”
“They've done an amazing job at combining the FPS/RTS genres together into an intense gameplay experience.”
“This might have been amazing back in 2014, but the gameplay itself has aged poorly and I would not recommend playing this now unless you have a full party interested in playing a few matches.”
“I tried to get into it; there was just nothing engaging about the gameplay.”
“Just TF2 with cheaper weapons, less balance, broken mechanics, a terribly implemented RTS mechanic, and what is even worse... it isn't free to play.”
- graphics61 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are decent and have held up well since its 2011 release, there are still some glitches and areas needing improvement. Some users appreciate the visuals as solid for a game of its age, particularly praising the use of the Source engine, while others criticize them as outdated or lacking in quality compared to more recent titles. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good but not exceptional, with a few standout moments that enhance the gameplay experience.
“This game has amazing graphics, a lot of diversity, and I believe is a spin-off from TF2 and NS2.”
“Given Nuclear Dawn is built on the Source engine, the graphics are great and really add to the feel of battling it out in a post-apocalyptic environment, with many buildings being able to be entered.”
“The graphics are good and the combat feels like a polished FPS game.”
“Some of the graphics need a little help.”
“Terrible graphics, it's like a rip off a 'generic shooter' but with much lower quality....”
“Graphics aren't great.”
- stability21 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, freezes, and glitches that significantly impact the singleplayer experience. While the multiplayer community is active and has made efforts to address some issues, players still encounter persistent problems, including server crashes and unresponsive gameplay. Overall, the game is seen as lacking polish and stability, making it a mixed experience for users.
“It's still being updated, and while it may not seem to be anymore, it isn't buggy or anything, so that's fine.”
“My game freezes for 15-30 seconds every 1-2 minutes, and that is very annoying.”
“Game is pretty much dead, and the offline mode freezes every minute or two and then resumes.”
“To be fair, there is a great game here, and it can stand on its own, but the glitches are unbearable.”
- story17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 29 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a significant divide in opinions regarding the game's story aspect. While some users appreciate the potential for a narrative, noting the importance of a storyline in enhancing gameplay, many criticize the game for lacking a coherent story mode, with some even creating their own narratives to fill the void. Overall, the consensus suggests that the absence of a compelling story detracts from the experience for those who value narrative depth in gaming.
“The story is filling enough to build the scene, two factions with opposing views competing for resources and influence.”
“The story's genre is science fiction, which I truly admire.”
“This story has added hours of replay value to my game.”
“No story.”
“Some people say that this FPS (with a tactical RTS element for one player per side) has no story.”
“There's no story or memorable soundtrack; people don't even bother joining squads.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with some players finding it relaxing and enjoyable, contributing positively to the overall experience. However, it lacks a memorable soundtrack or narrative connection, which may detract from its impact during gameplay.
“The gameplay is very good and is a lot of fun, but while there are still bugs for everything, the music is awesome. I gotta admit it is fun.”
“Pretty good music.”
“I relaxed for 5 minutes listening to this music, long enough to realize that I would be okay.”
“The music is forgettable and lacks any real impact.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the significant replayability of the game, citing a variety of classes, sub-classes, and maps that enhance the experience. The inclusion of mods further expands the game's potential for immersion and replay value, which is rated at 7/10. Overall, the game offers ample opportunities for players to revisit and enjoy different aspects of gameplay.
“With a good number of classes and subclasses, and a variety of maps, you'll find as much replayability as any FPS has.”
“This story has added hours of replay value to my game.”
“The replayability is huge, and with mods, there's really no ceiling to how immersive this game could grow to be.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is generally positive, featuring a nice upgrade system without microtransactions. However, players feel that increased advertising is necessary to raise awareness and support for the game, which has contributed to its relative obscurity.
“The upgrade system is nice and completely free of microtransactions.”
“I appreciate that there are no paywalls, allowing everyone to enjoy the game equally.”
“The monetization model is fair, providing value without forcing players to spend money.”
“Unfortunately, the lack of support from the developer and the absence of advertisements to let people know this game exists have condemned it to being relatively unknown.”
- humor3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as dark and serious, contrasting with the lightheartedness of titles like Team Fortress 2. Players appreciate the unique and engaging class dynamics, which contribute to the overall comedic experience without any unnecessary elements.
“Died harder than my sense of humor.”
“Very different and all classes are funny to play; there is no unnecessary class.”
“Imagine Team Fortress 2, but instead of being cartoony and funny, it is serious and set in a post-apocalyptic universe.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is richly detailed, with remnants of the past evident in the environment, enhancing the sense of history and intrigue. Players appreciate the abundance of alternative paths and hidden areas that contribute to a dynamic and immersive experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as captivating and engaging.
“There are some nice little details that you can notice that show what buildings were in the past, or that give atmosphere to what might have happened on a map.”
“They are full of detail, full of alternative paths, full of hidden places you can use to get an advantage, and the atmosphere is just awesome.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
“Despite the potential for a rich environment, the overall ambiance is flat and unengaging.”
“The game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that the emotional experience of the game is largely negative, often characterized by frustration and demoralization due to disorganized teams and blame-shifting among teammates. Instead of excitement, the gameplay can lead to intense, grueling sessions filled with tension and conflict, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“If a commander has a disorganized team, the team refuses to take orders from the commander, or simply the entire team goes ranged scouts with sniper rifles (has happened to me several times)...the game is doomed for that team, and makes for an emotionally intense, grueling, and demoralizing 20-45 minutes of 'turtling' at the base accompanied with teammates pointing fingers of blame, general freaking out, and some verbal abuse.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable in the early to mid game, but it becomes tedious and less engaging in the mid to end game, exacerbated by a dwindling player base.
“The early to mid game is much fun, but the mid to end game is tedious.”
“It has a tedious end game, plus there is no player base; it's dying.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is mixed; while it offers solid multiplayer performance, it falls short of the standards set by titles like Battlefield 3. However, some users criticize it as a poorly optimized source mod that requires a purchase.
“The optimization in this game is impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even in intense multiplayer scenarios.”
“I appreciate how well the game runs on lower-end systems without sacrificing too much visual quality.”
“The developers have done a great job optimizing the game, making it accessible for a wider range of hardware.”
“A poorly optimized source mod that you have to pay for.”
“The game runs like a slideshow on my high-end PC due to terrible optimization.”
“I can't believe how much lag and stuttering there is; the optimization is non-existent.”
Critic Reviews
Nuclear Dawn review
A surprisingly deep and well-designed FPS/RTS hybrid. A Team Fortress 2 alternative that needs a community to thrive.
83%Nuclear Dawn Review
The game runs well, and the visions of the designers are realized here as it doesn’t get too much annoying. I would have liked a single player component though, as it would have served two purpose – making people familiar with the game and also giving them less competitive gameplay to hone their skills. As it stands now, the game is still well worth buying if you are looking for a different yet fun multiplayer game on the PC.
80%
