Paper Nebula

[b] Target Audience: [/b] Very new players to the SHMUP genre......maybe. [I] [/i] [b] Summary: [/b] There are times as a reviewer where you have to step back and wonder if you're being too hard on a game. You want to be critical, but you don't want to be unfair. There were several moments with Paper Nebula that I sat there wondering if recent other games impressions and the lack of pizzaz from the game was really making me think it was this bad. Maybe that's still the case, but frankly Paper Nebula did nothing to impress me in the SHMUP genre. The paper airplane model and some of the visuals are ok, but what I found time and time again were decisions that made my head tilt, to the point where you might as well call me Reagan from the Exorcist. For a high action shmup, the game surprisingly has a lack of pace that keeps the fighting going with definite pauses in actions as the next set of enemies come on screen, but worse is the fact that once you get a hang of seeing the limited enemy patterns on screen, you can probably kill a good amount of them before they get one bullet out. There's a few enemy types that get recycled a whole hell of a lot, and the bullet patterns start to get repetitive even in the first few reruns of the levels. Bosses are probably the highlight, but even then you find that there are times where the game says “nah, you dead” because you don't know how the enemy moves, and the game doesn't even give invincibility time after taking a hit to reset. The weird thing is, the game is easy when you know what's coming: almost comically easy. But you will still die because the game punishes mistakes hard especially early on, and it's hard to know what you're supposed to learn from, it. Then, the repetition sets in. Let's be clear: every SHMUP has repetition. But you add variety with different weaponry, reactionary patterns, and various other tools to help keep the gameplay fresh, especially with a game that's indicating it has “roguelite” elements. Paper Nebula fails miserably here: playing through the first level for the 5th time is a slog, and with no power ups in the game other then outside upgreade systems, it feels like you're just mashing the fire button. Which you probably are: because the default option to turn on auto-firing is slow, and with some of the needed frequency with bosses, you don't want to use it. I'm more just baffled at some of the other decisions though. Explosions can be so strong and take up the screen enough to block out a ton of bullets that when you die from it, you're wondering how you could have seen what was coming. You'll wonder why the game chooses at the start of the 7th level to automatically kill you, almost making you walk away from the game before realizing that it was for “story?” purposes (I think, I honestly don't know). Then you wonder for a game with a permanent upgrade system, why finishing the first run locks the save file to show you the credits repeatedly. It's just boring. At the price tag in question, you can get games that do a ton more then Paper Nebula does with more fun and excitement. NeverAwake. ZeroRanger. Bullet Heaven 2. I'm the one whose been on record, mind you with a lot of criticism, that indie games are under priced now a days for the effort that it takes to ship a game. And let's be clear: Paper Nebula tries and there's love and effort put into it. But when everyone at the same price tag around you is blowing you out of the water, I can't give it a recommend. It's a pass. [b]Review Video: [/b] https://youtu.be/nUutacm5dK8 [u] Lists: [/u] [b]Positives:[/b] [list] [*] First 10 minute impression was good. [*] Paper Airplane aesthetic and paper like artwork did work at times. [*] Bosses at times were exciting. [*] On paper, upgrade system could work with killing enemies. [/list] [b]Negatives:[/b] [list] [*] It's boring. Like, boring boring. For a SHMUP. [*] Lack of variety in enemies/level configurations/no grabbable powerups really reinforce the game doing the same thing every run, leading to everything feeling like a chore. [*] Necessity of prior knowledge in some cases can get really annoying death wise even with an overall easy game. [*] Weird sound mixing leading to almost static sounds at times. Confusing. [*] Weird presentation decisions lead to frustrating gameplay moments where you die because you couldn't see something. [*] Game doesn't seem to really take the replayabilty into account, which is baffling for a SHMUP. [*] Auto-Fire is slow and really I'm not sure why it's not adjusted, because button mashing just get annoying. [*] I'm sorry, but the price. I don't know how the game is expected to compete with others in the genre at that price. [/list] [b] If you want more reviews/information regarding games I've reviewed, visit my curator. [url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/6861768/]Dragnix Curator [/url][/b]

Great game, seriously addictive! Easy to jump in and play a round or two, but hard to stop there because you just want to keep going. Think FTL mixed with Galaga, and it's own unique style and story.

[h1] Retro Fun. Cool Style. Sassy Sarcastic Computer Character 👌 [/h1] So good to play a retro style shooter, and the premise and art style of this one is great. I especially love the little crunching/folding sound every time you defeat the enemy ships. I've been playing it on my phone with SteamLink and has worked well so far using touch-controls. A great way to get a quick game in around all that life entails. I imagine it would work flawlessly with a controller even over link and that's something I'll try later Give it a shot. Everyone loves paper planes

Okay, when you look at the $17.99 price tag here at this games launch, you might think that this is just another super buggy crap game that is being sold for a ridiculous price tag. That's NOT the case! ..This game is solid. The gameplay is solid and fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FGE3HTTsUc The biggest problem with this game here at its launch is the jaw dropping $17.99 USD price point. ..While I can certainly understand why the developer would think its worth that because he likely has a ton of time and hard work put into it, he needs to remember that he is competing against TONS of other similar quality (or much better) 2D space games here on Steam that are priced at half the price or less. MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS SCORE: - The game itself, if the price wasn't a factor in my scoring... I'd give the game itself about an 8.5 first impressions score. - The game considering the "bang for your buck" value is much lower however with the $18 price tag: A 5 out of 10. I RECOMMEND IT.. But only if and when you can find this game at a deeply cut price if under about $7 USD. ..Even for me, this game is a refund at the launch price. I'll consider picking it up when it's a much better value price-wise.

This game has sucked me in like a black hole devours a nebula! Hrmm, that doesn't really make sense, but this game is seriously fun to keep playing. At this point I've died 26 times, but I keep unlocking fun things to keep me going. PEW PEW!!!

I madly mash the space bar and OMGOSH I HIT SOMETHING VICTORY IS MIN-oh dear now I am dust. *hits launch again* *and again* *and again* Adorable design and engaging from first launch, I can easily while away my time retrofitting my drone to take on this galaxy full of very hostile alien ships. Seriously I did try to say I come in peace!

A neat and simple shmup, Paper Nebula has some lovely visuals and a nice challenge curve for folk who are rubbish at shmups (like me), but diehard genre fans may not find it hitting the notes of tension and difficulty they want. We are Vela, who opens the game by overriding an AI equipped to manufacture drones, which are sent on missions to break through enemy lines and clear a path for us to escape. The framing gets us into the game as quickly as possible, which suits me just fine; in-between this our two main characters have a bit of gently sarcastic banter back and forth. There's not tons of depth to the writing, but that's not a bother. The game is tagged as a roguelike, but it doesn't really feel like that genre. Although your ships can't be recovered on death, there aren't any elements of randomness to it, so instead you're just invited to learn the fixed levels and enemy placements. You can pick upgrades between each run though which is neat, and certain ones are unlocked only by fulfilling in-game thresholds, so there's a reason to keep trying different things. Mainly what you get here is a classic shmup, and a very accessible one at that.

Love the art style. Feels good to play an old school shoot em up again.

The controls are smooth. The dialogue between the Character and the AI is well written for a comedic feel. It gives that great banter and builds on the slight mistrust we have when it comes to AI engagement. Particle effects are great and effective, with art style consistant throughout. The attention to the sound and their effects pay's dividends for the game itself. An enjoyable game and looking forward to seeing it develop.

Initially, Paper Nebula does not give a good impression. Don’t be fooled, however. Beyond those initial impressions is a smartly designed shooter which compelled me to play far more than I expected to – and kept me going far longer than other titles of its ilk would. Ok, so it won’t win any game of the year awards. But that doesn’t matter. I found the game fun, engaging and ultimately, rewarding. It has a simple premise and it runs with it – and the designers have cleverly stuck to old-school design – which means it is tough. This is not a bad thing! Enemy boss design is fun, and finding out how to best them feels very rewarding. Add the fact that very often you are rewarded – with new capabilities for your paper nebula and the game has some staying power. Graphically, the game has a “drawn on paper” feel – bold outlines and bolder colours help make the enemies distinctive and memorable, but it’s really the enemy designs that make it a winner. The 2D art is well-executed, the animations are simple and effective, and the posing of the characters in the rather humorous cutscenes works well. It all feels efficient. The music is a little repetitive, but there isn’t anything wrong about it – just mostly unmemorable. The sound effects are rather good – except for ones when going between different upgrades for your ship. They can be a little tiring. Ultimately, Paper Nebula succeeds in many small ways – it’s an old school shooter, 1942-style, with some hard gameplay, some fun goofy characters, a heaping of humour and some cool art. I recommend it. 7.5/10