Nuclear Blaze
Review

Nuclear Blaze (2021) is a running, jumping and fire extinguishing game from the same developer as Dead Cells. You put out fires and dodge explosions, debris and fiery chasms. Along with its uniquely intricate levels, there are real-life hazards to negotiate (backdrafts, electricity cables and collapsing buildings).

Play is set in a world on fire. It's up to you, a single firefighter, to get a patch of forestland back under control and stop the destruction. Your task, already difficult enough, is made harder when you discover a secret underground military base. As you progress, upgrading your abilities and learning to work with the raging fires, you piece together the mystery of the base.

You navigate the base and the forest, using sprinklers and your hose to put out fires and open new areas. Similar to Metroid and Castlevania games, you need to backtrack through the maze-like levels and find items and upgrades to continue your journey. You only have a limited amount of water, so you need to be careful about when and where you use it.

It's a challenging but unique game with novel mechanics that create a new and refreshing take on the Metroidvania style of platformer, with plenty of action, danger and mystery.

Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Nuclear Blaze 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 7 months ago.