Nuclear Nightmare

About

"Nuclear Nightmare" is an open-world exploration game where players assemble a team to recover classified materials in the Arctic before a nuclear strike. Gather supplies, unlock perks, and watch out for the risk of the deadly black goo virus that can infect anyone, including your teammates and huskies. Complete your mission before the time runs out.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

90%

Audience ScoreBased on 11,388 reviews

gameplay220 positive mentions

stability394 negative mentions

The game features a unique blend of horror and humor, creating memorable moments, especially in multiplayer settings.
The atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive qualities, drawing inspiration from John Carpenter's 'The Thing' and effectively enhancing the horror experience.
Character development is a standout feature, with players appreciating the depth and growth of characters throughout the narrative.

The game suffers from significant technical issues, including bugs, glitches, and poor optimization, which detract from the overall experience.
Many players find the story lacking depth and coherence, with a convoluted narrative and repetitive missions.
The gameplay can become monotonous and tedious, with a lack of variety in environments and objectives leading to potential boredom.

gameplay
752 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
63%
8%
The gameplay of "Nuclear Nightmare" is characterized by a mix of cooperative survival mechanics and horror elements, drawing inspiration from classic films like "The Thing." While many players find the core gameplay loop engaging and fun, especially in multiplayer settings, there are significant criticisms regarding bugs, clunky mechanics, and a lack of variety that can lead to repetitiveness. Overall, the game shows potential for improvement with ongoing updates, but it currently requires refinement to enhance the player experience.
- “The intense co-op survival gameplay keeps you on your toes.”
- “The core gameplay loop alongside the wonderful mechanics is fantastic.”
- “The gameplay is immaculate and it is scary as hell even while playing with people.”
- “The gameplay is monotonous and quickly becomes tedious.”
- “Combat is boring and offers no innovations; it seems the developers simply copied mechanics from other, more successful games.”
- “Very boring gameplay loop, not much content, monsters aren't very scary, kinda scuffed and buggy, just not enough content right now, in this state I wouldn't recommend even for the small Christmas sale price.”
atmosphere
496 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
35%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its intense, immersive qualities, drawing heavy inspiration from John Carpenter's "The Thing." Players highlight the game's ability to create a tense and eerie environment, especially during nighttime, where sound design and visual elements enhance feelings of dread and paranoia. Despite some technical issues, the overall consensus is that the atmosphere is a standout feature, making it a thrilling experience, particularly in multiplayer settings.
- “The atmosphere is spot on, the visuals are fantastic, and the tension is well crafted and executed.”
- “The game makes you feel like you're in 'The Thing' with its fantastic atmosphere that puts you in an abandoned US base in Antarctica as you search for evidence of the experiments that took place there.”
- “The atmosphere, the over-looming feeling of dread as night approaches, the monsters, and that every game is different from the last is just peak.”
- “The atmosphere just isn't there, it's not scary, or creepy.”
- “This game is fun but the lack of visibility man, I understand it's for atmosphere but you honestly can't see anything and that really takes away from the experience.”
- “Small bugs like that can completely ruin the game's atmosphere.”
humor
416 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players frequently highlighting its ability to blend terrifying moments with laugh-out-loud scenarios, especially when playing with friends. Many reviews mention the game's bugs and glitches as sources of unintentional comedy, contributing to a chaotic yet enjoyable experience. Overall, the game is described as both horrifying and hilarious, making it a great choice for those looking to share funny moments in a multiplayer horror setting.
- “It's clearly inspired by John Carpenter's The Thing and oozes with atmosphere, scares, and funny moments.”
- “This game brings out so many different emotions; it's funny and scary all within seconds.”
- “The devs have created an experience where cinematic and terrifying events happen organically, and we found ourselves cry laughing multiple times.”
stability
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The game is currently in an early access state and is described as highly buggy, with numerous glitches affecting gameplay, controls, and interactions. While many players find the bugs amusing and part of the fun, others report significant issues that can hinder the experience, such as unresponsive controls and game-breaking glitches. Overall, while the game shows potential and is enjoyable with friends, it requires substantial improvements to stability before it can be fully recommended.
- “I've encountered no glitches, the controls are intuitive, and it is quite easy to learn.”
- “Runs great and the server browser is working day 1!”
- “Along with this, the game runs great and although the open world isn't giant, it's an open world experience nonetheless that runs super smooth.”
- “After 7 hours of agonizing pain to finish this game, sleepless nights I died to so many glitches my dreams were me falling through the map or getting one-shotted at full health (like I did in game). Play at your own cost; I recommend if you're mentally insane. Good luck for those with a short temper; I may never have a good night's sleep after playing this godforsaken game.”
- “This game is so buggy it's unplayable.”
- “In its current state, this game is horrendously buggy and half of the game systems either sometimes work or don't.”
graphics
336 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
57%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the atmospheric design and visual style that effectively captures the horror elements, particularly in a cooperative survival setting. However, numerous players report issues with optimization, bugs, and inconsistent performance across different hardware, leading to a less polished experience. While some find the visuals charming and immersive, others criticize them for being outdated and poorly optimized, suggesting that improvements are needed to enhance overall gameplay enjoyment.
- “The graphics for the environment and creatures are absolutely amazing for being in early access and I could see this game becoming a fan favorite in the future.”
- “The developers have done an incredible job of bringing the desolation of the post-apocalyptic world to life with breathtaking visuals.”
- “Graphically, nuclear nightmare is an absolute stunner.”
- “The graphics in the game are poor, with character and environment models appearing jagged and unnatural, which is immediately noticeable.”
- “Game is a buggy mess, graphics are from '04, and extremely boring with little to do with the thing movie they want to portray.”
- “I have had to set every graphics setting to low except textures, which I set to high, because anything below looks absolutely god-awful.”
optimization
324 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
57%
23%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates and lag, even on high-end systems. While some users have noted improvements when using specific settings or after recent patches, the consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized and requires significant work to enhance performance and stability. Overall, players express hope for future updates to address these issues, but currently, the game's optimization is a major drawback.
- “Running the game in DX11 massively improves performance, giving 100+ FPS consistently.”
- “The tasks are well-designed and optimized, requiring good orientation skills, which I think is a fantastic idea.”
- “They just dropped an optimization patch today as well, making it run so much better, granted not perfectly (switch to lower settings) but it's proof they care about their product.”
- “The game is very poorly optimized.”
- “Honestly though buggy as hell and unoptimized, don't pick it up unless it's on sale and make sure you have friends for it.”
- “But in its current state, it is an unoptimized buggy mess.”
story
206 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
82%
5%
The game's story is often described as lacking depth and coherence, with many players finding the narrative convoluted and the missions repetitive. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and character development, others express a desire for more varied missions and clearer objectives to enhance immersion. Overall, the potential for a gripping narrative exists, but it currently feels underdeveloped and could benefit from more diverse content and clearer storytelling elements.
- “As we ventured through virtual quests and conquered digital foes together, I realized that the true treasure lay not in the pixels on the screen but in the moments of connection and understanding we shared.”
- “And then there’s the story – a gripping narrative that unfolds in ways you won’t see coming, drawing you into the mystery behind the disaster.”
- “The narrative is driven by a mix of main missions and side quests, each of which sheds light on the state of the world and the struggles of the remaining survivors.”
- “The game’s plot is not only trivial but also maddeningly convoluted.”
- “The story unfolds хаотично, with no logical sequence of events, making it difficult to immerse oneself in the game world.”
- “There is no storyline: you just have to complete some tasks, call a helicopter, and escape.”
music
98 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
4%
The music in the game is a polarizing aspect, with many praising its ability to create a tense and immersive atmosphere that heightens the horror experience, especially during monster encounters. However, some players feel the music can be overpowering and disrupt the tension, suggesting it needs to be toned down or better balanced with other sound effects. Overall, while the soundtrack is generally well-received for its intensity and ambiance, there are calls for improvements in audio settings and volume control.
- “The music is astonishing; it sets the tone that is needed for a horror survival co-op game. I love how it is heavily inspired by John Carpenter's 'The Thing', as well as gameplay similarities to said film. I love this!”
- “The atmospheric soundtrack is haunting, with an ambient score that ramps up during moments of tension and battle.”
- “Every moment of music swells with tension, creating an atmosphere that amplifies the paranoia and danger.”
- “And there's annoying loud music that plays during the night sequence that breaks basically all tension.”
- “The menus often bug out, the chase music is a short loop that starts to piss you off very quickly, which isn't helped by the fact that the monsters will practically never stop chasing you which leads to minutes if not tens of minutes of running from them in yakety sax fashion.”
- “Unfortunately too many negatives for me, the setting menu needs an overhaul, the audio itself is a problem, the music is too loud, the wind is way too loud, the in-game volume is just way too loud, even having it at a minimal is loud and if you have it off you're just disadvantaged.”
replayability
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
9%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed but generally positive outlook on replayability. Many players find it highly replayable, especially in cooperative modes with friends, and appreciate the potential for future updates and new content. However, some concerns arise regarding the static nature of the map and the risk of eventual boredom after repeated playthroughs, suggesting that while the game is fun and engaging now, its long-term replayability may depend on future enhancements.
- “The game has fantastic replayability for about 10 - 20 rounds and more depending on whether you're playing with friends or randoms until you eventually get bored, but you will definitely start playing the next day again.”
- “There’s a ton to explore, really good replayability, plenty of potential for updates, and the monsters so far are absolutely terrifying.”
- “This is the best co-op survival horror game that you can play; the gameplay loop is insanely replayable.”
- “I will struggle to find replayability once I have completed the map, so I hope by the time I have completed it or in the future there will be new maps with new enemies and objectives for me to play with my friends.”
- “1 large map that takes far too long to explore and offers zero replayability value to these locations.”
- “However, it lacks replayability as of now since many aspects of the map are static.”
grinding
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
5%
90%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it fun and manageable, others describe it as tedious and repetitive, particularly due to monotonous gameplay and lack of variety in environments. Many players note that grinding for cosmetics and perks can feel like a chore, especially with the vast, empty maps and frequent monster encounters. Overall, while some appreciate the ease of certain grinding mechanics, the general sentiment leans towards it becoming tiresome after a few hours of play.
- “The gameplay is monotonous and quickly becomes tedious.”
- “The map is repetitive, objectives are tedious, and exploration offers little reward beyond white landscapes and prefab buildings.”
- “You could spend hours and hours grinding out all the perks (which a lot of them have negatives) just to never get them in game.”
emotional
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' experiences of fear, nostalgia, and deep connections with friends, often leading to moments of laughter and tears. Many reviews emphasize the psychological toll of the game's bleak setting, with gripping side stories that evoke strong emotional responses, making it a memorable and heartwarming experience. Overall, players describe it as an emotional roller coaster that combines horror with camaraderie, leaving a lasting impact.
- “Very emotional, 10/10”
- “The game explores the psychological and emotional toll of living in such a bleak, irradiated world, where trust is scarce and every day is a struggle for survival.”
- “I cried, I laughed, and at times it had me running around the house with how scared I was.”
monetization
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively due to the absence of microtransactions, which players appreciate. However, there are concerns about the game's readiness for playtesting, with some users suggesting it may feel like a cash grab in its current early access state. Overall, while the lack of microtransactions is a highlight, the game's mechanics and aiming issues detract from the experience.
- “Good setup with no microtransactions”
- “Either this is a cash grab, or it is far from being ready for play testing.”
- “It's just a no for me after trying it; I wouldn't bother unless it's out from early access and massive changes personally, otherwise it's gonna be another early access cash grab.”
- “Ads on most sights are unsightly and janky.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game is praised for its exceptional character development, which is highlighted as a standout feature of the story. Players appreciate the depth and growth of the characters throughout the narrative.
- “One of the standout features of the game’s story is its character development.”