Do You Still Remember Me?
The year has started strong with highly anticipated titles alongside unexpected surprises. Then there are titles that seem to come out of nowhere yet leave such a lasting impact that you wonder how they were ever overlooked. That’s how I feel about Nobody Nowhere—its release took me by surprise, and I’m still stumped as to how I missed this gem.
Nobody Nowhere is a narrative-driven experience that has players uncovering a sinister conspiracy while exploring what it truly means to be human. It’s a game rich in emotion and story, seamlessly brought together by its visual style and soundtrack.
C-601 Decrypted
In the year 20179, Human Science Research Corp has been experimenting with the creation of human replicants. One of their most successful replicants is C-601, also known as Julian Francis. He is scheduled for an operation by Gaia Bryan, a surgeon ominously nicknamed “The Executioner” because every replicant he operates on dies afterward. On the night of Julian’s operation, his caretakers attempt to free him mid-procedure. However, the rescue mission doesn’t go as planned, leading to unforeseen consequences. Players will take on the roles of Julian Francis and Gaia Bryan as they work together to uncover the secrets of Human Science Research Corp, including the true purpose behind their creation.
Nobody Nowhere isn’t the first work to explore what it means to be human. Countless stories, for better or worse, have examined this concept—not just from a human viewpoint but also through the eyes of an artificial person seeking their own humanity. Nobody Nowhere offers its own unique narrative take on this classic premise, incorporating familiar setups without relying on them too heavily. The result is a narrative driven by both emotion and the mystery surrounding what is happening and your true purpose.
A Vessel for Humans
Nobody Nowhere‘s core gameplay is split between a visual novel and a side-scrolling adventure. Despite the division in gameplay style, neither element sacrifices quality for the other. Both aspects are treated equally and are essential to the overall experience.
With its visual novel elements, the game’s strength lies in its emotional storytelling and sci-fi setting. This is achieved through a memorable cast of characters and an emotionally charged narrative. All that keeps players engaged throughout the journey. The game masterfully builds suspense, keeping players in the dark before revealing its biggest secrets. It also encourages players to invest in each character, making them care about what happens to them or what their fate will be.
The game’s side-scrolling design has players navigating the world as characters like Julian Francis and Gaia Bryan. You’ll explore various environments, searching for clues and uncovering what’s needed to advance. However, certain stages demand stealth to avoid detection from NPCs. Puzzle elements are scattered throughout the game to keep the playthrough engaging and challenging.
The Mechanical Brain Space
Right away, I have to express my admiration for Nobody Nowhere‘s visual design choices. The game brings its world to life with anime aesthetics set within a 2D environment, complemented by a neutral tone. These design choices effectively depict a future that is neither dystopian nor utopian. It’s instead a plausible tomorrow—one that feels near yet not dreadful. The anime art style further enhances the world and character designs, perfectly capturing each character’s emotions.
The soundtrack plays a crucial role in setting the tone for each moment in the story. Its music expertly conveys emotion, whether it’s building suspense, delivering thrills, or creating a sense of calm. At the same time, it perfectly blends its chiptune style with the game’s futuristic setting, creating a seamless and immersive experience.
Nobody Nowhere‘s shortcoming is its linear storyline, which follows a single narrative path. At first, this might not seem like an issue, but it becomes apparent when you realize there’s only one route leading to a single ending. This limits the game’s potential replay value. Visual novels typically feature multiple paths leading to different endings, allowing players to experience varied versions of the same story. That said, it’s still an experience worth playing—one you might revisit a few times just for the enjoyment of its story alone.
Status of All Replicants
Nobody Nowhere presents a familiar story of what it means to be human with an emotionally driven narrative experience. Players will navigate an emotionally driven story while encountering remarkable characters who either stand with or against them. The gameplay strikes an ideal balance between the narrative depth of a visual novel and the interactivity of a side-scrolling adventure. Its anime aesthetics and visual design set the tone of the story, further enhanced by its soundtrack.
All of this makes Nobody Nowhere one of the year’s biggest surprises and a must-play for fans of narrative-driven experiences.
Disclaimer: The publisher through a PR representative provided the game used for this review.
This review is the critique and thoughts of one writer. If you want to see how other critics felt, then check it out on OpenCritic.
8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Nobody Nowhere (PC)
Pros
- Emotionally driven story with memorable characters.
- Gameplay that balances between a visual novel and a side-scrolling adventure.
- Anime aesthetics and visual design that sets the tone of the story.
- Soundtrack that helps set the tone for the scene.
Cons
- A linear storyline ensures a lack of replay value.
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Stan Rezaee is the founder and Editor of 8Bit/Digi. He is a journalist and gamer from the Bay Area who has been writing about the medium for over five years.
