Nightmare: The Lunatic is a hardcore action roguelite platformer game where you escape your nightmare. Swap between 3 weapons constantly, use special attacks, and dodge and parry enemies' attacks. Strengthen yourself by collecting powerful and distinctive totems.
At the start of each run, players select three weapons from a pool of unlocked options. During gameplay, they can freely swap between these three weapons, with each swap providing a short-term buff or passive effect. This encourages players to constantly experiment with different weapon combinations and playstyles, adding depth and replayability to the combat.
The game places a heavy emphasis on precise timing and positioning, rewarding players who excel at parrying and dodging enemy attacks. Parrying, in particular, allows players to retaliate with powerful counterattacks, making it a crucial skill to learn and execute effectively, especially in the challenging boss battles.
The game features a diverse range of enemy types, each with distinct attack patterns and behaviors. Players must study and adapt to these patterns, using a combination of parrying, dodging, and weapon swapping to overcome the challenges. The enemy design is praised for its visual clarity, allowing players to read and react to attacks with skill and precision.
The boss battles in the game are widely regarded as a highlight of the gameplay experience. These intense encounters require players to expertly manage their weapon swapping, parrying, and dodging abilities to overcome the bosses' complex and visually stunning attack patterns. The boss fights are described as challenging, yet fair, providing a true test of the player's mastery of the game's mechanics.
The game employs a procedural level generation system, ensuring that each run through the levels has a unique layout and enemy placement. This, combined with the extensive weapon and upgrade options, creates a highly replayable experience, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles.
The controls are widely praised for their tightness and responsiveness, allowing players to execute their actions with precision and fluidity. The smooth movement and crisp combat animations contribute to the overall satisfying feel of the gameplay.