Nefarious

 PC
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 4 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. PC PowerPlay
    Mar 21, 2017
    70
    A great idea with excellent presentation hampered by some iffy controls. [Issue#259, p.60]
  2. Vandal
    Jan 31, 2017
    70
    Even though it's not perfect, it's a very fun and well-designed, with a good sense of humor. One of those games that makes time fly.
  3. Destructoid
    Jan 30, 2017
    55
    There is so much heart and so many great ideas in Nefarious that I want to see it as a better game than it is. I want to be able to recommend it as a hidden gem in Steam’s massive collection of throwback indie titles. But I can’t. It’s a sloppy game that feels in many respects half-done. All the heart in the world can’t make up for something that just isn’t fun to play.
  5. Hardcore Gamer
    Jan 28, 2017
    80
    It might be a bit trite to say that being bad never felt so good, but indeed, the villainous escapades of Crow and company make for an incredibly fun platformer indeed. Led by a boastful and charming character and diving straight into a cute sense of humor with some gorgeous graphics, Nefarious then opens up further to reveal a terrific adventure that simultaneously features and pays ode to some classic ’90s action, while still throwing in its own twists and engaging story in order to craft a wicked little romp that makes being the megalomanic a delight.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 2 out of 7
  1. Schroder
    Oct 7, 2018
    3
    The only thing nefarious about this game is the game. Level design is really bad in the sense that there isn't an organic flow and sometimesThe only thing nefarious about this game is the game. Level design is really bad in the sense that there isn't an organic flow and sometimes mechanics fail to work on multiple occasions (I'm looking at you bomb jump over acid section). Enemy placement is either incredibly easy or pure chaos and the devs through enemies in wherever they want to so there could be dumb sections where you have to complete platforming stuff and then hoards of enemies bombard you. Crow controls really loosely and I'll be honest that I only punched when there was a box in my way. The upgrade system was kind of pointless, but maybe I just liked the sticky grenades too much. However, the game design had some smart elements like how each stage had two acts after you captured a princess and the boss fights felt like you were controlling a cheesy video game boss character. The presentation for this game was hit and miss. Sometimes I got a good chuckle at a pun while other times I'd turn of the game out of sheer obnoxiousness. At the end of the day, the best way to describe this game is that it's missed potential. There's a good game buried in Nefarious it just has to learn from its mistakes. Hopefully, there will be a Nefarious 2 that refines and polishes its gameplay before release.… Full Review »
  2. Steeldude
    May 7, 2017
    5
    A game that puts you into the shoes of a villain named Crow. The main hook is you being able to play as a villain and be like a boss inA game that puts you into the shoes of a villain named Crow. The main hook is you being able to play as a villain and be like a boss in certain scenes.
    However, the game plays like a normal platformer - and a boring one, unfortunately.
    The moments when you feel like a boss are sparse and don't feel that good - because the enemies are too strong, so you don't feel like a boss.It's just a boss fight like any other. The rest is mediocre at best. Imagine a Mega Man game gone bad (Mighty no 9, anyone?). This is a similar case.
    Moreover, the game seems to be quite short (3 hours) and the replayability should be you repeating levels over and over and trying to get the best score. The game would have to be fun for us to want to do that, though.    … Full Review »
  3. bxrxsxtx
    Oct 13, 2021
    8
    If you played this game and put it down after 1 level pick it back up. The first level has annoying honking horns for music, looks ugly, andIf you played this game and put it down after 1 level pick it back up. The first level has annoying honking horns for music, looks ugly, and isn't really the gameplay you may expect or want. But the rest of the game is generally much better in all those regards. OK maybe not the second one, I find the graphics sorta fugly except the character talking portraits.
    This is what an indie platformer should be. Interesting challenges in most levels and a variety of fresh ideas. In boss fights you are the boss, and you do very different things for each one (like pilot giant robot, use a crane etc.). They aren't amazing individually but the variety keeps it interesting.
    There are lots of other features, selectable stages, ways to make a difference in the story, upgrades. There are a lot of classic platformer mechanics and some new ones. The story has a variety of funny characters and has a lot of cliches and parody. It can be hit or miss I suppose. Going through different lands kept it fun.
    I've seen some criticism of the last boss (and alternate form) and it is kind of a drag. Plenty of other things I could nit pick at, not a lot of replay value for example. But my core point is this game really stands out in a sea of similar games, you just have to really give it a chance. Ciao gamers.    … Full Review »
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