NanoApostle (PS5) | REVIEW | A Dark Science Fiction Boss Rush Title With Indie Innovation

NanoApostle, developed by 18Light Game and published by PQube, is a dark sci-fi boss rush action game that hits the PS5 on April 24, 2025, after earlier releases on PC and Nintendo Switch. Set in a grim research facility, you play as Anita, a young girl augmented with sentient nanomachines called Apostle, fighting to escape by battling grotesque cybernetic experiments. With it's intense combat, striking pixel-art visuals, and unforgiving difficulty, NanoApostle aims to carve a niche in the boss rush subgenre alongside titles like Furi and Cuphead.

The core of NanoApostle is it's reaction-based combat, which demands quick reflexes and sharp decision-making. Each boss fight is a multi-phase gauntlet, pitting Anita against towering mechs, fire-spewing giants, and other bio-mechanical horrors. The game's signature "Destruction Point" system lets you target enemy weak spots for massive damage, adding a layer of strategy to the chaos. Anita's move set which includes slashing attacks, projectiles, dodges, and parries feels responsive.

Between boss battles, you'll navigate brief platforming challenges and earn skill points to upgrade Anita's abilities, allowing for some customization. While these sections add variety, they're overshadowed by the combat, which is clearly the star attraction. The difficulty is steep, with tight timing windows and punishing attacks that may frustrate casual players. However, the sense of triumph after defeating a tough boss is undeniable, especially for fans of high-skill action games. The game's hub area, where you select battles and upgrades, is functional, but bare-bones, lacking the depth of similar titles.

The narrative in the game follows Anita's desperate bid for freedom, guided by Apostle (nicknamed Kuro) and a virtual consciousness named Wenny. The story unfolds through text logs, brief cutscenes, and cryptic flashbacks about a war and a soldier named Horace. While the dark sci-fi premise is intriguing, the storytelling feels fragmented, leaving many questions unanswered. Anita's lack of memory and the mysterious motives of the facility's creators add atmosphere, but don't fully coalesce into a satisfying arc.

Visually, NanoApostle shines with it's detailed pixel-art style, rendering bosses with menacing flair and environments with a cold, industrial grit. The soundtrack, crafted by the KUSHIH sound team, deliver pulsing, electronic tracks, that heighten tension, though sound effects sometimes overpower the music. Separate audio sliders let you tweak this balance, a thoughtful touch.

Clocking in at around 6-8 hours for a first playthrough, NanoApostle is concise, focusing on quality over quantity. Additional challenges and difficulty modifiers unlock after completion, encouraging replays for those hooked on mastering each fight. However, the lack of varied environments or side content may leave some wanting more. For it's price point (Around $19.99), the experience feels appropriately scoped, though budget-conscious players might wish for extra modes or levels. 

The Verdict ...

NanoApostle is a thrilling, if narrowly focused, addition to the PS5's indie lineup. It's relentless boss battles and slick presentation make it a standout for fans of punishing action games, and the Destruction Point system adds a fresh twist to the formula. However, it's thin narrative and lack of diverse content keep it from reaching the heights of genre greats. If you're a seasoned player craving a test of skill  with a dark sci-fi edge, NanoApostle delivers a compact, adrenaline-fueled ride. Others might find it's steep learning curve and brevity less inviting.