Today, we are in an era where games cost the price of a week’s worth of groceries, so when one of my professors told us about NIDUS, I was intrigued. He stated, “Skip spending money on your next coffee and instead check out this cool game.” When my professor first said that, I didn’t think much of it. Now, about a year later, I have finally decided to check it out, and I am glad that I did. That professor showcased tons of games each week on his slides, showcasing to me that the best games aren’t necessarily defined by budget, but rather by the sheer creativity put into them. The best games make you feel something. Companies list their game for more and more money each year, but if the quality doesn’t feel justified, then why support that practice? I instead enjoy games you can buy for the price of a coffee that bring a unique take and help innovate the industry. That is why I love games; it is not the cost that matters, but the quality of the product. That is why I want to tell you about the artistic beauty that is NIDUS.
As soon as you boot up NIDUS, you are met with a phenomenal hand drawn art that sets the tone for what is to come. Those two giant looming incest eyes staring at a glowing blue Wasp and Flower showcase the beauty and the looming threat that this arcade style game brings to the table. Soon after that, you start your journey and are greeted with a simple diagram on how to move the two characters, either using a mouse & keyboard or controller.
Although perhaps unconventional, I used both my mouse and my controller, using the controller in my left hand and the mouse in my right. Now that may seem complex, but this setup actually helped me better manage the core challenge of NIDUS: controlling the two distinct player characters. This balance between the two is what the game is built upon.
Tethered together are Wasp and Flower, each providing a unique skill set in this bullet hell. Wasp is the aggressor, able to dish out damage to protect its counterpart. While Flower is slow and is the health of the player, take too much damage, and that’s it, run over. But before you can get to that level, you must learn the first learning curve to the game: understanding the limits of each character and utilizing their strengths. Once you get a handle on that, the gameplay starts to flow, as when Wasp and Flower are used in unison, you gain stronger moves and abilities that either increase your damage output or enable you to escape incoming damage. Both are paralleling mutualism as both characters benefit from one another.
While you are figuring out your symbiotic relationship, you are also facing wave upon wave of insect organisms set on ending your run. From small creatures to ones that cover your whole screen, the player must utilize both characters in unison to get through each level. Upon reaching the end of each level, you face a highly skilled boss that puts everything the level tested you on into reality. Whether you are tested on your ability to dodge incoming attacks, make quick decisions with your ability to maneuver, or dish out damage in short periods of time, each boss brings a new challenge that not only feels like a test of your skills but also rewards you for your repetition. Once you overcome each boss, you are presented with an option to upgrade your Wasp or Flower, increasing your damage or survivability when facing future enemies. After that key decision, you are presented with choices for the next path and boss to face on your run.
One can not discuss this game without discussing its psychedelic art style. The art is the true highlight of the game, and it utilizes outstanding hand drawn visuals by developer Caleb Wood. This design choice helps set NIDUS apart from other bullet hell arcade style games. Each character in the game feels unique but cohesive with one another, creating parallels and allowing the player to understand roughly what an enemy does even upon first encounter. Distinct colors also help provide clarity when it comes to gameplay. All friendly characters, including the two player characters, are in shades of light blue, white, and light pastel colors, bringing a sense of calm and purity against the hostile colors of the other insects. Those hostile colors are a mix of oranges, violets, purples, pinks, and even reds, displaying a sense of hostility in a uniquely beautiful kind of way.
In tandem with the beautiful colors is an accompanying soundtrack that immerses the player into a world that feels cohesive and natural. One that immerses you into the gameplay, where the longer you play, the more you find yourself getting lost in the ambiance of NIDUS.
NIDUS is a great and visually stunning game that could easily fill your weekend with enjoyment and challenge. While this game is short, it still provides thrilling gameplay that I think a great weekend game should provide. Especially at its price point of $8.99, which regularly goes on sale, you pick it up on Steam to experience the psychedelic, bullet hell, arcade style insanity that is NIDUS.