Nightmare: The Lunatic is a parrying action rogue-lite platformer game about escaping a nightmare. Constantly swap between 3 weapons, use special attacks, and avoid and parry enemy attacks. Strengthen yourself by collecting powerful and unique totems.
The game allows players to select three different weapons at the start of a run and freely swap between them during combat. Each weapon has its own main attack, special ability, and passive effects that activate when swapping. This mechanic adds a layer of strategic depth, as players must consider the synergies and strengths of their equipped weapons to overcome challenges. The ability to experiment with various weapon combinations and master the intricacies of each one rewards players for their skill and adaptability.
The platforming and combat feel incredibly responsive and satisfying. Players can nimbly double-jump, wall-jump, and dash, enabling fluid and agile traversal through the levels. The combat emphasizes parrying and dodging enemy attacks, with clear telegraphs and animations that make the timing windows feel fair and achievable. Mastering the parry mechanic is crucial, as it allows players to retaliate and open up enemies for devastating counterattacks.
The boss fights are a particular highlight, featuring challenging, multi-phase encounters that test a player's mastery of the combat system. Each boss presents an impressive array of varied and visually stunning attacks that players must learn to dodge, parry, and punish effectively. While some reviewers note a significant difficulty spike with the bosses, they praise the fights as rewarding experiences that encourage repeated attempts to overcome them.
The game offers a vast array of unlockable weapons, each with their own unique properties and synergies. Players can customize their loadout before a run, allowing for a great deal of build variety and experimentation. Additionally, the permanent upgrade system offers a wide range of passive abilities and enhancements that can significantly impact a player's playstyle and performance, further incentivizing players to continue returning to the game.
Players consistently praise the game's controls as tight and responsive, with smooth and seamless movements and combat actions. The ability to quickly and accurately dodge, parry, and swap weapons is a key strength, contributing to the overall satisfying feel of the gameplay.