Nuclien from Springloaded is a game on Switch that only supports touch controls, which means you can only play it in Portable Node. Learn more about this fast-paced release in our Nuclien review!

 

Nuclien is a game all about numbers in which you will need to tap them as you take on the role of the Architect who is rebuilding the world. The campaign is split into four different worlds: Micro Organisms, the Ocean, the Land and Complex Life. To complete the Micro Organisms world you need to tap the numbers as they appear, which is simple and is intended as sort of a tutorial for the game. But once you hit the Ocean you need to tap numbers from highest to lowest. The Land world requires you to do the exact opposite, which is to tap the numbers from lowest to highest. The Complex Life stages require a mix of all of the above to complete, tapping the squared numbers from lowest to highest and the circular numbers from highest to lowest.

Reading them makes all the instructions sound very simple, but in practice the levels can get BRUTALLY hard. You need to be very good at concentrating so that you can get in the zone, so if you have a short attention span then this game definitely is not for you. Nuclien forces you to completely focus on what is going on in the Switch’s screen because you can’t afford to make mistakes.

Why? Because for every mistake you make the timer will deplete, and by the final stages of a world you need every single second or else you won’t be able to finish before time runs out. Luckily there are also difficulty settings to choose from, so that you can tailor your experience as needed just in case you’re a bit more prone to making mistakes. Completing levels rewards you with ‘knowledge’ which you can use to purchase time bonuses or a knowledge bonus, so be sure to make the right decision since extra time is very important, but so is getting bonus knowledge so you can really improve your overall available time!

Nuclien is a fun puzzle game that is easy to learn but hard to master. You will need to be completely focused on the action on the screen because mistakes will cost you and will quickly push you to the game over screen. A lot of patience and practice is needed to complete the game, but if you’re up for a challenge then you’ll have a lot of fun with this minimalist release!

Disclaimer
This Nuclien review is based on a Nintendo Switch copy provided by Springloaded.