UltraNothing
- January 21, 2024
- snorillaka
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"UltraNothing" is a 2D Puzzle Strategy Platformer that challenges you to escape from the noise and achieve divine Nothing. With multiple stages and skill-based gameplay, players must use their critical thinking and quick reflexes to progress. The game offers a unique twist on traditional puzzle games, with its minimalistic design and emphasis on achieving Nothing.
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a vast array of innovative and engaging puzzles that challenge players to think creatively and strategically.
- The unique blend of mechanics and the surreal world create a compelling atmosphere that keeps players intrigued and invested.
- Despite its unconventional design and graphics, the game offers a significant amount of content and depth, making it a great value for puzzle enthusiasts.
- The control scheme can be confusing and poorly communicated, leading to frustration for some players, especially during the initial stages.
- The game's graphics and overall aesthetic may not appeal to everyone, potentially deterring some players from fully engaging with it.
- Certain puzzles can feel overly complex or arcane, which may lead to moments of confusion and difficulty in understanding what is required to progress.
- gameplay24 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a high density of mechanics and puzzles, with new rules introduced frequently, creating a challenging yet engaging experience. While the game lacks direct explanations and can be difficult to grasp initially, the design encourages players to discover and adapt to mechanics organically, leading to a rewarding sense of accomplishment. The combination of unique puzzles, charming graphics, and a surreal atmosphere enhances the overall enjoyment, making it a standout in the puzzle genre.
“Even if little is explained directly, there are focused tutorial puzzles to gently introduce each new major mechanic.”
“And I mean there is a new seemingly random rule or mechanic introduced every 5 levels or so, but it never feels unnatural because, unlike other games, the mechanics are made to fit the puzzles instead of the other way around.”
“This combination of high mechanic density and very intentionally rough and cryptic design makes for a very addicting game, as I'm at the point now where almost every level I enter starts with me taking pause and trying to parse what is going on with the mess laid out before me.”
“A block-pushing game that explains nothing while introducing new mechanics every few stages, and there are a lot of stages.”
“This, combined with a lack of any undo features, can make some of the mechanics pretty annoying to use.”
“Furthermore, certain core mechanics are poorly communicated.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as simple yet charming, with a unique aesthetic that adds life to the levels and enhances gameplay by clearly indicating mechanics. While some players may initially be put off by the visuals, the art style is appreciated for its quirkiness and the care put into character design, contributing to an engaging puzzle experience. Overall, the graphics complement the game's creative approach to puzzles and exploration.
“Love the art style; the puzzles are decent, and a world map to explore is great.”
“While the graphics might turn you off, it has some genuinely great puzzles; it just takes a bit to get to them, and you are going to have to accept that they won't be designed in a traditional way like other puzzle games.”
“The trailer and screenshots might show a quirky sokobon-platformer hybrid with a very strange aesthetic, but what it doesn't fully capture is the extreme breadth of this game.”
“The graphics, while simple, have a lot of care and life put into them. Many level elements take the form of characters, which adds a large amount of charm (when many puzzle games of this type can end up a little sterile) and helps the player determine at a glance the various mechanics in play in the level.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its unique approach, combining a minimalist sound design with low-fidelity ambient tracks that create a spooky vibe reminiscent of titles like Yume Nikki. Players appreciate the lack of hand-holding, which enhances the overall experience and satisfaction of solving challenges, elevating the game beyond a typical block-pushing mechanic.
“That might sound like a negative, but I honestly think it creates an atmosphere that ascends beyond 'just another block-pushing game with a mechanical twist.' If any of this sounds interesting, you should definitely check it out.”
“The game does not hold the player's hand, which most of the time adds significantly to the experience, both in the satisfaction of working out a level feature and in the general atmosphere the game is going for.”
“The atmosphere of the game is excellent; there is no music but instead various low-fidelity ambient tracks, which give everything a very spooky vibe—think Yume Nikki but less musical.”
“The game does not hold the player's hand, which most of the time adds to the experience, both in the satisfaction of working out a level feature and in the general atmosphere the game is going for.”
“That might sound like a negative, but I honestly think it creates an atmosphere that ascends beyond 'just another block-pushing game with a mechanical twist'.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a quirky blend of gameplay styles and a post-modern, nonsensical approach that adds a layer of absurdity. This unique combination not only enhances the comedic elements but also cleverly obscures instructions and feedback, creating an engaging and amusing experience for players.
“It's a funny blend of turn-based and real-time, top-down and side-view, all simultaneously in the same space, but oddly it feels like it makes perfect sense in play.”
“There's a layer of post-modernism and nonsense on top of everything, used for a mix of humor and to help obscure instructions and feedback.”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The story is described as loose and somewhat disjointed, with a central theme of purging 'noise' from a troubled world. NPC interactions often lack coherence, contributing to an overall sense of confusion in the narrative.
“In terms of story, everything is fairly loose. The world is plagued by 'noise,' and you must purge it. NPCs do appear, but their ramblings make little sense.”
“The narrative feels disjointed and lacks coherence, making it difficult to engage with the characters or the world.”
“There are interesting concepts introduced, but they are never fully explored, leaving the story feeling incomplete and unsatisfying.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features low fidelity ambient tracks that enhance its spooky atmosphere, reminiscent of Yume Nikki, but with less musicality. While there is no traditional music, the ambient sounds effectively contribute to the overall mood.
“The atmosphere of the game is excellent; there is no music but instead various low-fidelity ambient tracks, which give everything a very spooky vibe. Think Yume Nikki but less musical.”
