The creators of Ridiculous Fishing and Luftrausers bring one of their most acclaimed indie shooters to Nintendo Switch.
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Dutch developer Vlambeer are one of the modern masters of arcade style action game. An average go on one of their games lasts about as long as a single 10p in a golden age coin-op, and it’s clear that’s exactly as intended. But there’s a little more to Nuclear Throne, with influences varying from roguelike dungeon crawlers to twin-stick shooters such as Smash T.V.
There are also clear parallels with a number of modern indie titles, most obviously The Binding Of Isaac, but Nuclear Throne is very much its own game. What backstory there is can pretty much be summed up by the title alone, as you take control of one of a series of post-apocalyptic mutants attempting to rule a world considerably more ruined than anything in Fallout. As you might imagine, imposing your control is not achieved through careful diplomacy but instead down the barrel of a gun.
Each unlockable character counts as a different class, from Crystal who can transform into a reflective shield, Robot who can eat weapons and turn them into ammo or health, and Fish who starts with more ammo and has a super useful dodge roll. As you can see, the visuals are purposefully simplistic but the sound design is excellent and its array of glorious explosions, wince-inducing squelches, and child-like laser noises is a thing of beauty.
Although the PC original (the game’s Early Access origins date back all the way to 2013) used the mouse to control the aiming reticule, on consoles you use the right analogue stick. Although the Switch version features customisable controls that allow you to fine-tune things for both handheld and TV mode. That technically makes it a dual-stick shooter, but while the gameplay videos may make it look like Total Carnage et al. ammo concerns ensure that it’s actually a little more considered and slower-paced than that.
It’s not like it’s a survival game or anything but sometimes you are reduced to just melee combat, while saving enough explosives for an unexpected boss encounter is a vital survival tactic. Loot-filled chests litter the game world, but since their contents can never be relied upon the game is able to emphasise its focus on improvisation over rote learning.
You can be unlucky and end up with just a wrench or shovel, or you can pick-up heat-seeking shotguns, guns that shoot lethal bouncing Frisbees, and all manner of laser cannons and rocket launchers. The deluxe versions of the various weapons depend on how far you get into the game, but even the most seemingly useless has its own special advantages.
The most controversial, but predictable, element of the game is the punishment for failure, as, barring any new characters you may have unlocked, game over leaves you having to start again from scratch. When you complete a level you have the chance to add an extra mutation upgrade, and it can be devastating to realise you’ve suddenly lost your ability to slow down enemy bullets or burrow through walls because of a momentary mistake.
Nuclear Throne is essentially a roguelike and as is the case with most of its breed that means that the levels are randomly-generated, so it’s not even as if you can learn the layouts. But roguelikes aren’t about your in-game character earning virtual experience, but instead you, the player, gaining it. With each go you get better at controlling your character, learning the vulnerabilities of a particular enemy, or the advantages of a new weapon. There’s a Dark Souls style mentality in that the more frustrating the failure the more you realise you’ve learned for your next try.
Even the co-op mode seems cruelly unfair at first, as you’re given only a few seconds to revive your ally before your own health starts to tick down. But that, of course, only encourages you to work together more closely, and to treat your partner’s well-being as importantly as your own.
The Switch version isn’t really any different than the previous versions but like most indie games it’s found a natural home on Nintendo’s hybrid console, especially as it means you always have two controllers on hand for co-op. So it’s good to know that Vlambeer are also bringing Super Crate Box and other new games to the format in the future.
Like any knowingly difficult game Nuclear Throne won’t be for everyone, but its rewards are in direct proportion to the hardships you have in achieving every little victory. Nuclear Throne will always triumph in the end, but as you were probably told as a child it’s not the winning that’s important it’s the taking part.
Nuclear Throne
In Short: A perfectly constructed neo-arcade game from genre master Vlambeer, which perfectly marries twin-stick shooters with roguelike punishment.
Pros: Excellent controls, wonderfully entertaining weapons, and a great balance between all-out action and more cunning tactics. Wide range of power-ups, fun co-op, and great sound design.
Cons: The random factor of the levels and weapons can end up being patently unfair in some situations.
Score: 9/10
Formats: Nintendo Switch (reviewed), PlayStation 4, PC, and PS Vita
Price: £10.99
Publisher: Vlambeer
Developer: Vlambeer
Release Date: 20th March 2019
Age Rating: 7
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