Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 82 | 14 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 90 | 639 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 95% | 89 | 1194 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.9, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 1,278 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: since the last significant patch (Sep 18, 2024) · 300 reviews sampled · 1194 total reviews in window · weighted 192.4 up / 5.6 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (10)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“A challenging mix of agility stages and boss rush fights that doesn’t really let you warm up before hitting the meat grinder”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite the name, there's nothing nano about NanoApostle, except for its pint-sized hero. This boss rush game packs a punch, delivering fast-paced action that'll have you feeling like a weapon of destruction. But it’s not all blood and guts flying around. The game stays grounded in its emotional core, crafting a heartfelt story of friendship and survival between two friends who will never be together, as well as a third. If you’re after a solid, no-nonsense action RPG that gets straight to the point, NanoApostle should definitely be on your radar.”
read full review ↗ - 95
“The game’s last boss may be a little overtuned if you are trying for a no-hit run, which is a platinum requirement, but considering how NanoApostle gets balance patches nearly daily, this might be tweaked in the future. The amount of work that has gone into the game post-release is more than commendable, and shows that the 18Light Game team is not messing around.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“While NanoApostle might not be a must-play for everyone, it deserves at least a solid recommendation for players who want a succinct, soulslike package; its short runtime is full of challenging and rewarding boss fights. Plus, I think it would be a great game to take around on the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch. If the urge hits for a streamlined, no-frills action game, NanoApostle is worth checking out because it is a fantastic boss rush title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“NanoApostle is the epitome of a “pretty good” game. Combat is fun, presentation is well handled, and it doesn’t overstay its welcome. This is one of those games where it does almost everything it sets out to do well but doesn’t quite reach particularly highs at any point either. It sticks to doing what works but rarely gets aggressive with its ambition or does something to truly go off the rails, falling into few pitfalls but also not being as creative as I would hope for a boss rush game. Nonetheless, I had a fun time playing it from start to finish and can definitely give it a recommendation for people interested in a short but relatively dense little action game.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Despite the narrative not being that captivating, the heart of this experience, the boss battles, are some of the most challenging and satisfying I’ve ever faced. Add in a compellingly compact skill system, an intense soundtrack, and exceptional movement, and you have an absolute must-play for the boss-rush genre that mustn’t be overlooked.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Dark sci-fi boss rush experience on Nintendo Switch”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Despite NanoApolstle being short and without voice acting or any of the standard cutscenes, it's a delightful game that doesn’t overstay its welcome and does what it does best in the short amount of time it has with us as players. Boss fights are difficult and require quick thinking and precise timing to take them down. This makes the inevitable boss kill all that more enjoyable as they get their just deserts from the struggle they put you through. There's great art and music to pair with bosses, making them even more intense and compelling to fight against. NanoAposlte is an absolute joy to play if you like difficult games about taking down bosses and completing challenges within each boss fight.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“NanoApostle presents itself as a visually captivating pixel art experience with gameplay that tests both the player's reflexes and strategy. Its incredible boss designs are not only challenging, but also a visual delight. In addition, its soundtrack perfectly complements the futuristic atmosphere of the game.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“NanoApostle is a grim and gruesome tale that implores you to dive deeper. The quick and elaborate combat charges your compulsive actions with a sense of fulfillment. The brutal sentiment of the world and state of affairs based on the characters' views are absorbing. The engrossing challenges and fun replay value between strategies with the game's modules will keep you entertained. Great artwork and energetic music help the flow of the game even more. Cramping may occur which may cause some awkward situations when playing this on the Nintendo Switch, but it never cramped my style as I was addicted to the gameplay loop of figuring out these bionic brutes' movesets. NanoApostle is a dynamic and aggressive game that never lets up until the epic conclusion.”
read full review ↗
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ImpulsegamerPatch history
- Hotfix #7Nov 27, 2024
- Hotfix #6Oct 7, 2024
- Hotfix #5Sep 20, 2024
- Hotfix #4Sep 19, 2024
- Update: Boss Fixes & MoreSep 18, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Hotfix #3Sep 16, 2024
- Hotfix #2Sep 13, 2024
- Day One: HotfixSep 12, 2024
- Demo AnnouncementSep 12, 2024significant · resets scoring window
- Demo Update (Patch notes)May 17, 2024significant · resets scoring window