Nex Machina: Death Machine

1. XxX-jesus-XxX

   Jun 20, 2017

   10

   This is one hell of a game it take every thing we play back in the arcade area. It has lots of good nostalgic memories like smash tv or otherThis is one hell of a game it take every thing we play back in the arcade area. It has lots of good nostalgic memories like smash tv or other bullet hell shooter and this take the the cake of glory.… Expand

   • 11 of 20 users found this helpful
2. GBG_Jason

   Sep 28, 2017

   10

   If there’s an arcade genre that has stood the test of time as fun, it’s the twin-stick shooter. You know the games: Robotron, Smash TV,If there’s an arcade genre that has stood the test of time as fun, it’s the twin-stick shooter. You know the games: Robotron, Smash TV, Asteroids. While developer Housemarque has been creating THE twin-stick shooter experiences since the 90s, it wasn’t until the HD version of Super Stardust that people really started to take note. While they’ve put out some other fantastic games like Outland and Dead Nation, the next game that really took the genre to the next level was Resogun. Housemarque is here to redefine the genre once again.
   
   Nex Machina was created with Eugene Jarvis as a creative consultant. If that name means nothing to you, note that he worked on several of the aforementioned titles, in addition to the likes of NARC, Total Carnage, and the Cruis’n series. Put simply, it’s hard to think of someone more attuned to the nature of arcade games. Pairing him with Housemarque is a dream come true.
   
   The game at first glance is strikingly beautiful, with an enhanced engine that was used for Resogun. While both are great looking games, Nex Machina stands well above the other. From the set pieces to the character models, and even the explosions of voxels, everything here is improved. Saving the humans is back, which creates a sense of urgency in each room as you introduce the enemies to your arsenal weapons. Of course, saving them is optional, but as is typically the case with an arcade game, you’re playing for the high score, and every little bit counts.
   
   In addition to the normal movement and shooting you’d expect, you also have secondary weapons in the form of pickups and a dash button. Dashing allows for movement without being damaged, which is useful as one hit will kill you unless you have a shield. And with a seemingly endless supply of enemies in certain rooms, on top of the near bullet-hell type gameplay, that dash is necessary for avoiding death. In addition to the shield that you can pick up, you will also find enhancements to your bullet spread, rocket launchers, swords, bombs, lasers and more.
   
   The difficulties are steep, although they are certainly fair. If you absolutely need to beat the game, but really struggle with deaths, the easiest difficulty has an unlimited amount of continues. The normal difficulty offers 99, while the hard only provides 10. Of course, beating the game without any is an option as well, but that will take the most dedicated of players. If you die in a room, you can learn from your past mistakes, as the AI will play out in a similar manner. Naturally, the way you approach it will change the way they interact. And humans are always top priority depending on the enemy, so you may want to take advantage of them being distracted before picking up the squishy life-forms.
   
   In addition to the obvious objectives of humans, killing all the enemies including the level’s boss, and not dying, there are many secrets to discover. And with the sheer amount of things going on in each room of the levels, they are easy to miss. You’ll be playing levels over and over to find everything the developers have hidden, and quite honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It provides more reason to go back to previously played levels other than beating your friends’ high scores, which is already plenty of reason in a game like this.
   
   Speaking of friends, if you have someone you like to play things with, this offers local co-op. If you think the screen is insane by yourself, just add a whole other person shooting bullets to the mix. Note that the co-op is limited to local, and it’s really no wonder as any amount of lag could lead to disastrous results. Even with a solid internet connection there are hiccups, and honestly, most people don’t have their systems hardwired to a high speed connection. It’s awesome that the option is available, and smart that they stuck with the couch.
   
   While the arcade mode is the game’s obvious focus, there’s also an arena mode that will task the player with beating levels under different conditions. Think of games that add certain handicaps while expecting you to still beat it. You will find many challenges in the trophy list, and they add so much to an already content rich game.
   
   The only thing left to sweeten the deal is the music. Ari Pulkkinen lays down some very heavy, trance like beats, which is par for the course with him. While it is what you’d expect, it doesn’t make the soundtrack any less mesmerizing.
   
   As always, Housemarque delivers with a game that is not only simple, but fun beyond compare. It’s rare that a developer is able to create new IPs that are consistently described as something that you’ll be addicted to the moment you play them, but that is undoubtedly the case here. Nex Machina is sitting at the top of my list for not only Housemarque games, but PS4 titles available right now. Strap in, get your thumbs ready, and make some voxels go boom.… Expand

   • 4 of 4 users found this helpful
4. Siontis

   Jun 20, 2017

   10

   Nex is a pure arcade experience, the latest Housemarque gem. No frame rate drops or stutters while playing on my C-chassis base Ps4,Nex is a pure arcade experience, the latest Housemarque gem. No frame rate drops or stutters while playing on my C-chassis base Ps4, explosive fast paced action, typical Housemarque mechanics, beautiful colours, responsive controls and much more!
   Absolutely recommended!… Expand

   • 7 of 12 users found this helpful
5. ty92

   Mar 20, 2020

   9

   This is such a great game. My only problem is some of the lasers are hard to see. I just started playing but so far I love it. I will updateThis is such a great game. My only problem is some of the lasers are hard to see. I just started playing but so far I love it. I will update this review when Im done. Note: Im playing on easy and it's starting to get hard.… Expand

   • 1 of 2 users found this helpful
6. KDMCollectables

   Feb 7, 2018

   9

   Barnstormer of a game - it ebs and flows and whilst can look chaotic to an outsider, when you pick-up that controller you are immersed. ThereBarnstormer of a game - it ebs and flows and whilst can look chaotic to an outsider, when you pick-up that controller you are immersed. There is nothing better than co-op mode bedlam, the manic, psychedelic game-play draws you into a trance-like state where the game-play you produce and moments of "wowza" achieved as you traverse a difficult section where enemies are closing in and your last human needs saving will leave you breathless. Has had some seriously play, graphically beautiful, a brilliant flow, short ... but very, VERY sweet! As close as a 9 rating can get to 10 without quite hitting that perfect score (where could it have gained that final ping - i'd say it could have been a touch longer, or maybe a slightly larger level layout with smaller passages leading to larger rooms ? Either way, it's a damned good game this one)!… Expand

   • 5 of 5 users found this helpful
7. Wander22

   Feb 17, 2019

   8

   Gameplay/Mechanics: 8.5
   Sound/Music: 8.5
   Graphics/Art: 8
   Story/Atmosphere: 7.5
   OVERALL: 8.1/10

   • 3 of 3 users found this helpful
8. Alecj

   Jun 21, 2017

   4

   A twin stick shooter from the makers of Resogun. It has much of the same graphical style, most of the same game modes, but none of the sameA twin stick shooter from the makers of Resogun. It has much of the same graphical style, most of the same game modes, but none of the same magic.
   
   Its well made, but rudderless as you fly through a rapid succession of meaningless stages which end with an undecipherable formula and a score that feels empty.
   
   Like Stardust Ultra or Resogun, i guess you are supposed to continue to replay the 5ish stages for higher scores ---then on more difficult settings for a more intense challenge, but its all so similar and missing a worthwhile end goal.....i just dont get why you would. There is so little opportunity for alternate play styles or strategies, it ends up being an almost identical experience each time.
   
   There are some achievements called "feats", and some slight customization you can unlock by grinding currency from certain modes.....but again, why? Do you care if your barely visible character has a slightly different highlight shade to his white outfit.
   
   I was looking forward to this game and preordered it, but after 10 minutes i was bored. I thought i had missed something. I played through each mode more than a couple times, hoping the game would grow on me....it didnt.
   
   It steals virtually all its enemy and even stage boss mechanics from Resogun, making it feel very derivative.
   
   In a sentence, Its Resogun without the novelty, PS4 launch limited competition, and charm.
   
   It will probably be a PS+ game by Xmas....save your money.… Expand

   • 12 of 35 users found this helpful

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