The Nothing
- August 30, 2017
- DDD Wares
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreThe Nothing is a surreal and atmospheric action game with a new aesthetic, procedurally generated elements and perma-death - Designed for multiple short "runs", with endings based on the route you've chosen and the actions you've taken.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a unique and visually striking art style that many players find appealing.
- The gameplay offers a mix of combat, looting, and inventory management that can be engaging, especially for fans of roguelite mechanics.
- The soundtrack and overall atmosphere contribute to a surreal and immersive experience, reminiscent of classic horror and arthouse aesthetics.
- The game suffers from frustrating controls, particularly with the dash mechanic, which can lead to unfair deaths during boss fights.
- Many players find the boss battles poorly balanced, with some being too easy while others are frustratingly difficult due to design flaws.
- The game can become repetitive quickly, with limited content and a lack of clear direction, making it tedious for some players.
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's graphics are praised for their unique and interesting art style, featuring surreal and creepy enemy designs that contribute to a bizarre aesthetic. While the overall graphical quality may not be top-tier, the visuals are considered artful and well-designed, enhancing the game's immersive experience. The combination of 2D and 3D elements adds to its distinctive charm.
“This game has very interesting visuals, surprisingly good music, and very creepy and surreal enemy design.”
“Great aesthetic, and soundtrack... artful and considered design.”
“The game itself seems a bit difficult (at least I reached over 3 levels as of now), but I do enjoy the style of the 2D/3D graphics and the way the game's surrealism looks.”
“You have entered a state of near-videodrome like aesthetics.”
“Very bizarre game, unique aesthetics and visuals.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as a standard roguelite experience with a mix of solid mechanics and notable flaws, particularly in boss design, where encounters can feel either too easy or frustratingly inconsistent. While the game emphasizes an artistic journey over depth, some players find the gameplay to be somewhat dry and lacking in polish. Overall, it appeals to those who appreciate unorthodox design but may disappoint players seeking refined gameplay mechanics.
“I love the nothing; it is a visual morbid piece of art, the music is nice, and the gameplay is pretty cool too.”
“It's a strange game with pretty solid gameplay.”
“Gameplay-wise, it is a pretty standard roguelite game.”
“The game has a lot of bosses that are random at each run, but most bosses are not very well made - they are either very easy and cheesable or hard due to design flaws, such as poorly telegraphed attacks or mechanics not working properly. For instance, you are supposed to dash through a boss, but 50% of the time your character fails to do it for no real reason and takes damage.”
“So it is a little dry as far as gameplay goes, but this is about the journey more than the depth.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and contribution to the overall atmosphere, with many reviewers noting its surprising appeal and artful design. While some players prefer external soundtracks, they appreciate the in-game music for enhancing the experience without becoming overwhelming. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a strong complement to the game's visuals and gameplay.
“This game has very interesting visuals, surprisingly good music, and very creepy and surreal enemy design.”
“Great aesthetic, and soundtrack... artful and considered design.”
“I myself prefer listening to out-of-game soundtracks, but the music is good and it didn't drive me crazy. I wouldn't mind paying .99 for an add-on folder to support the devs and use it for campaign ambience.”
- grinding3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and repetitive, often leading to frustration. While some enjoy the unique elements, the lack of guidance and the need for excessive item management can make the experience feel monotonous over time.
“The game forces me to move an item from my inventory to the chest to use the healing item in my possession; that's tedious.”
“One could spend a lot of time trying to discover all these secrets, but it gets tedious pretty soon due to how repetitive the game becomes, and there seem to be no guides as well.”
“I actually enjoyed this game, and so will you if you like weird games, but you are likely to get bored after a couple of hours as it becomes very tedious and frustrating at times, so get ready for that.”
- story1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's story is perceived as lacking depth and complexity, with reviewers noting that it is neither expansive nor particularly engaging.
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users expressing a deep appreciation for its immersive qualities, suggesting that it will only grow more compelling as the development progresses.
“The whole game oozes an atmosphere that I genuinely appreciate and will come to love more and more as the developers improve their craft.”
“The immersive atmosphere draws you in, making every moment feel alive and engaging.”
“The hauntingly beautiful environment creates a sense of wonder and mystery that keeps you captivated.”
