Nex Machina Reviews
The lack of online multiplayer hurts the longevity of what is otherwise the most engaging and addictive twin stick shooter yet.
Housemarque and Eugene Jarvis have created something very special, and I suspect, enduring.
Frenetic, hypnotic and seriously addictive
I have always been a massive fan of Super Stardust HD, but I never thought Housemarque would be able to reach those dizzying heights again. I was wrong. Nex Machina takes all that was good about SSHD and turns the dial up, making this game my new favorite Housemarque game and one that I urge each and every one of your to go out and buy. Be warned however, it's going to make your thumbs sore.
Easily on of the best homages to old-school arcade gaming in quite some time. Easy to pick up, hard to master, but damn if you won't have fun along the way. With some fast-energy tunes, a gorgeous looking world and plenty of frantic action, Nex Machina has me wishing the days of arcade gaming weren't over. The only thing that would make this game even better is the addition of an online co-op mode.
Nex Machina is another infinitely re-playable twin-stick arcade shooter that’s easy to pick up and play, difficult to master, and fun as all hell. And make no mistake, this game is difficult. While there are different difficulty levels to tackle based on your skill level with the game, this is probably Housemarque’s most challenging title to date. It’s a fair challenge, though (well, maybe with the exception of the game’s final boss, but that’s a conversation for another day!). The buttery smooth gameplay and perfect controls mean that any mistakes you make are your responsibility and yours alone. While Nex Machina is not re-inventing the “arcade shooter wheel” so to speak, the little ways in which this game turns Housemarque’s tried-and-true formulas of of the past on its head make for an experience that feels familiar but fresh.
Slight in form, but deep and consistently satisfying. Nex Machina is a gem of a shooter.
Nex Machina encapsulates everything that’s great about arcade games in a single package. Both easy to pick up and play and with incredible depth for those who crave for being at the top of the leaderboards.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
One of the most challenging and rewarding twin stick shooters ever made
The latest release from Housemarque is a solid action-packed twin-stick bullet hell shooter you have to play on PS4. The simple to learn but hard to master gameplay mechanics, the fast-paced action, the hidden sections and the deadly bosses in the game will keep you busy for hours as you aim to improve your overall score for each run. Trophy hunters will be playing for a while before they make a dent on the trophy list, making it the perfect challenge for those who want to prove how good they really are.
Nex Machina proves that Twin Stick Shooters can be more fun than big budget triple-A-productions and will put your skills to the test! For $20 you can’t go wrong with this one.
Overall, Nex Machina is a satisfying and enjoyable challenging experience. It shows what an arcade classic game can do if it’s handled well.
The developer behind retro-tinged shooters Super Stardust and ResoGun returns with an astonishing twin-stick masterpiece
Nex Machina is quite simply one of the best games of 2017. It offers simple yet incredibly fun, fast-paced gameplay and it has immense style. Do not sleep on this game.
Nex Machina is exciting, addictive and challenging, a must have for all arcade shooter fans. We loved its level design and the perfect mix of gameplay mechanics combined with a clean presentation and vibrant soundtrack. It's without doubt one of the best Housemarque games.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Despite the unpleasant visual noise and a few details on the gameplay that could be refined, Nex Machina demonstrates that Housemarque is one of the best at what it does. It's fun and difficult in the same intensity. You will rage, but there is a tremendous sense of achievement after each barrier surpassed, creating a good balance. If you are looking for a game with extreme challenges and unrestrained action, supported by an incredible soundtrack, Nex Machina is a must have in your library.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Nex Machina, a collaboration between Housemarque (Resogun and Alienation) and legendary game developer Eugene Jarvis (massively famous for Defender, Robotron & NARC), is an explosive arcade experience that gives a strong nod towards the fun coin-op games I used to play down the arcades in the 80s/90s.
Nex Machina is up there with Resogun as the best game Housemaque has ever released and is a great throwback to the arcade shooters of old. In terms of presentation and design, it is perfect and its smooth, brutal, and challenging gameplay makes it feel wonderful to play.
As expected, Nex Machina is another exhilarating piece of dual-stick shooting fun from Housemarque.
Despite the frustrations its upgrade system often caused me, I had a good time navigating Nex Machina's array of twin-stick shooter challenges. The appealing art, energetic soundtrack, and pixel-perfect gamepad controls made me own every failure and look forward to whatever might come next. Arena mode seems to be where most of the lifespan on this one will come from, and I look forward to seeing people who are better than me at it pull off some crazy runs to climb the rankings. Nex Machina is not for the faint of heart, but a recipe to delight those looking for an attractive, arcadey challenge to overcome.