Nefarious

Норм

This is a hidden jem. I don't even remember a game that struck me quite like it, the writting, characters and world building are all phenomenal with only the gameplay being the weakest aspect and don't get me wrong its not a bad game in that regard its just that even though i rarely play side scroller platformers i can tell its generic in that way and it does break the staleness of it with some of those levels, but regarldess everything else rocks, i laughed hard at plenty of scenes in this game, the develops made the game they wanted and you could see it by playing it, i had this game on my wishlist for years i think and now that i played it im glad i did. If the game had gameplay similar to shovel knight it would have probably sold like warm bread. A must play in my opinion

Геймплей западает в душу потому что это пытка Сюжет хороший, как здесь, как и в комиксе из-за чего хочется потратить деньги и на патреон автора Кроу прикольный чувак, редко когда нравятся главные герои, мне очень жалко, что в комиксе постепенно его прекрасные бедра все уже и уже Да и остальные персонажи довольно интересные и оригинальные, на кого бы не посмотрела у меня в голове не возникает мысли о том, что "я где-то это видела" Дизайны мне тоже нравятся. Обычно мне нужно много времени на то, чтобы научиться нормально рисовать персонажей, чтобы было и в моем стиле и напоминало оригинал, но здесь это было удивительно легче чем обычно, я Мака нарисовала раза два и уже поняла, что и как я хочу от него А геймплей сойдёт, хорошая игра, мне всё нравится

Nefarious is a 2D action platformer that immediately distinguishes itself by turning a familiar formula inside out. Instead of stepping into the role of a hero rescuing royalty, you play as Crow, an ambitious and theatrical villain whose goal is to kidnap princesses from various kingdoms to fuel his ultimate weapon. This reversal is more than just a gimmick—it defines the tone, structure, and humor of the entire experience, giving the game a personality that sets it apart from many of its genre peers. The narrative leans heavily into satire and self-awareness, poking fun at classic video game tropes while still embracing them. Crow is not portrayed as a purely menacing antagonist, but rather as a charismatic and somewhat flawed character navigating a world that operates on exaggerated logic. Dialogue is filled with witty exchanges, meta commentary, and playful interactions between Crow, his assistant Becky, and the various princesses he encounters. This focus on humor and character gives the story a strong presence, often carrying the experience even when the gameplay itself becomes more routine. From a gameplay perspective, Nefarious follows a traditional side-scrolling structure. Players move through levels filled with enemies, hazards, and platforming challenges, using a combination of melee attacks, grenades, and movement abilities to progress. The mechanics are straightforward and easy to understand, drawing clear inspiration from classic platformers. However, while the foundation is solid, the execution can feel slightly uneven. Movement lacks the precision found in more refined titles, and combat, while functional, doesn’t always feel as responsive or impactful as it could be. One of the game’s most creative features is its approach to boss encounters. Instead of fighting bosses in the traditional sense, players take control of the boss machines themselves, facing off against heroic characters in “reverse boss battles.” These segments introduce new mechanics and often parody well-known boss fight conventions, adding variety and humor to the experience. Some sections even experiment with entirely different gameplay styles, briefly shifting genres to keep things fresh. While not every experiment is equally polished, these moments stand out as highlights and showcase the game’s willingness to take risks. The level design offers a range of visually distinct environments, each representing a different kingdom with its own theme and aesthetic. These settings help maintain a sense of progression and variety, even if the core platforming challenges remain relatively consistent. While the environments are imaginative, the gameplay within them can sometimes feel repetitive, relying on familiar patterns rather than introducing significantly new mechanics as the game progresses. An additional layer of gameplay comes from the princesses themselves. After kidnapping them, Crow gains temporary abilities that can influence how certain sections are approached. This mechanic adds some variation, but its impact is somewhat limited. While it introduces new possibilities, it doesn’t fundamentally change the overall gameplay loop, leaving it feeling more like an extra feature than a central system. Visually, the game adopts a vibrant, cartoon-inspired style that complements its comedic tone. Character designs are expressive, animations are lively, and the overall presentation reinforces the game’s playful identity. The soundtrack further enhances this atmosphere, featuring energetic and often unconventional tracks that match the game’s quirky personality. Together, these elements create a cohesive aesthetic that supports both the humor and the action. Despite its strengths, Nefarious does have its shortcomings. The controls can occasionally feel inconsistent, which can be frustrating during more precise platforming sections. The difficulty curve is also uneven, with certain segments feeling significantly more challenging than others without a clear progression. Additionally, some design choices—such as hidden requirements for unlocking the true ending—can feel unintuitive and may require external guidance to fully experience. In the end, Nefarious is a game that succeeds more through its creativity and charm than through flawless execution. Its unique premise, strong writing, and willingness to experiment make it memorable, even if the gameplay doesn’t always reach the same level of polish. It’s a title that stands out in a crowded genre by offering a fresh perspective, delivering an experience that is as entertaining as it is unconventional. Rating: 7/10

This game deserves an open world sequal in 3d. If you're reading this Mr. Hano, please make a sequal to Nefarious.

8/10: Entertaining platformer w/ oldschool 90s vibes. Music is alright. Gameplay is good. Storyline is interesting. It does what it does well

Cool game with a adorable story and nice artstyle

its a nice switcharoo on a classic cliche, the art is impeccable, the dialogue is funny and our mc's a total cutie pie :3

-Story is not that great. I found it boring. The good ending is not worth the replay. -Control is sluggish and grenade jumping is not fun. Joystick is not precise enough for certain areas. -Too simple for my taste. -Witty humour falls short most of the time. Hero has no depth. -It's alright but overall there are several better games to play.

Picked it up cheap- it's fun. Good gimmick, decent platforming, and the controls aren't that bad. One big opportunity for me would be more feedback when you receive damage, but other than that, a pretty fun and forgiving action game.