Nefarious on Steam - User reviews, Price & Information
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Play as the villain in Nefarious! An action platformer where you globe hop between several kingdoms kidnapping princesses who alter gameplay in unique ways. Then thwart various heroes in reverse boss fights, recreated iconic battles where you control the boss.
Nefarious is a indie, adventure and action game
developed and published by .
Released on January 23rd 2017 is available in English on Windows, MacOS and Linux.
It has received 402 reviews of which 342 were positive and 60 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.9 out of 10. 😊
The game is currently priced at 14.99€ on Steam.
The Steam community has classified Nefarious into these genres:
Media & Screenshots
Get an in-depth look at Nefarious through various videos and screenshots.
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System requirements
These are the minimum specifications needed to play the game. For the best experience, we recommend that you verify them.
Windows
- OS *: Windows 7, 8, 10
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8Ghz or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: DirectX 10 compatible video card
- Storage: 2 GB available space
MacOS
- OS: Snow Leopard
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8Ghz or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Graphics: OpenGL 3.0+ support
- Storage: 2 GB available space
Linux
- OS: Unbuntu or Equivalent
- Processor: 2.8 GHz or equivalent
- Memory: 2 GB RAM
- Storage: 2 GB available space
User reviews & Ratings
Explore reviews from Steam users sharing their experiences and what they love about the game.
This is a hidden jem. I don't even remember a game that struck me quite like it, the writting, characters and world building are all phenomenal with only the gameplay being the weakest aspect and don't get me wrong its not a bad game in that regard its just that even though i rarely play side scroller platformers i can tell its generic in that way and it does break the staleness of it with some of those levels, but regarldess everything else rocks, i laughed hard at plenty of scenes in this game, the develops made the game they wanted and you could see it by playing it, i had this game on my wishlist for years i think and now that i played it im glad i did. If the game had gameplay similar to shovel knight it would have probably sold like warm bread. A must play in my opinion
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Nefarious is a 2D action platformer that immediately distinguishes itself by turning a familiar formula inside out. Instead of stepping into the role of a hero rescuing royalty, you play as Crow, an ambitious and theatrical villain whose goal is to kidnap princesses from various kingdoms to fuel his ultimate weapon. This reversal is more than just a gimmick—it defines the tone, structure, and humor of the entire experience, giving the game a personality that sets it apart from many of its genre peers. The narrative leans heavily into satire and self-awareness, poking fun at classic video game tropes while still embracing them. Crow is not portrayed as a purely menacing antagonist, but rather as a charismatic and somewhat flawed character navigating a world that operates on exaggerated logic. Dialogue is filled with witty exchanges, meta commentary, and playful interactions between Crow, his assistant Becky, and the various princesses he encounters. This focus on humor and character gives the story a strong presence, often carrying the experience even when the gameplay itself becomes more routine. From a gameplay perspective, Nefarious follows a traditional side-scrolling structure. Players move through levels filled with enemies, hazards, and platforming challenges, using a combination of melee attacks, grenades, and movement abilities to progress. The mechanics are straightforward and easy to understand, drawing clear inspiration from classic platformers. However, while the foundation is solid, the execution can feel slightly uneven. Movement lacks the precision found in more refined titles, and combat, while functional, doesn’t always feel as responsive or impactful as it could be. One of the game’s most creative features is its approach to boss encounters. Instead of fighting bosses in the traditional sense, players take control of the boss machines themselves, facing off against heroic characters in “reverse boss battles.” These segments introduce new mechanics and often parody well-known boss fight conventions, adding variety and humor to the experience. Some sections even experiment with entirely different gameplay styles, briefly shifting genres to keep things fresh. While not every experiment is equally polished, these moments stand out as highlights and showcase the game’s willingness to take risks. The level design offers a range of visually distinct environments, each representing a different kingdom with its own theme and aesthetic. These settings help maintain a sense of progression and variety, even if the core platforming challenges remain relatively consistent. While the environments are imaginative, the gameplay within them can sometimes feel repetitive, relying on familiar patterns rather than introducing significantly new mechanics as the game progresses. An additional layer of gameplay comes from the princesses themselves. After kidnapping them, Crow gains temporary abilities that can influence how certain sections are approached. This mechanic adds some variation, but its impact is somewhat limited. While it introduces new possibilities, it doesn’t fundamentally change the overall gameplay loop, leaving it feeling more like an extra feature than a central system. Visually, the game adopts a vibrant, cartoon-inspired style that complements its comedic tone. Character designs are expressive, animations are lively, and the overall presentation reinforces the game’s playful identity. The soundtrack further enhances this atmosphere, featuring energetic and often unconventional tracks that match the game’s quirky personality. Together, these elements create a cohesive aesthetic that supports both the humor and the action. Despite its strengths, Nefarious does have its shortcomings. The controls can occasionally feel inconsistent, which can be frustrating during more precise platforming sections. The difficulty curve is also uneven, with certain segments feeling significantly more challenging than others without a clear progression. Additionally, some design choices—such as hidden requirements for unlocking the true ending—can feel unintuitive and may require external guidance to fully experience. In the end, Nefarious is a game that succeeds more through its creativity and charm than through flawless execution. Its unique premise, strong writing, and willingness to experiment make it memorable, even if the gameplay doesn’t always reach the same level of polish. It’s a title that stands out in a crowded genre by offering a fresh perspective, delivering an experience that is as entertaining as it is unconventional. Rating: 7/10
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Plot twist after plot twist comes from both the game and the webcomic. I am in a constant state of tonal whiplash. 10/10
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8/10: Entertaining platformer w/ oldschool 90s vibes. Music is alright. Gameplay is good. Storyline is interesting. It does what it does well
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It is a fun game to play. The story is simple but good. I liked the characters. There is alot jank, but it's funny... Sometimes...
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nefarious is currently priced at 14.99€ on Steam.
Nefarious is currently not on sale. You can purchase it for 14.99€ on Steam.
Nefarious received 342 positive votes out of a total of 402 achieving a rating of 7.93.
😊
This information about Nefarious is not available yet.
Nefarious is playable and fully supported on Windows.
Nefarious is playable and fully supported on MacOS.
Nefarious is playable and fully supported on Linux.
Nefarious is a single-player game.
Nefarious does not currently offer any DLC.
Nefarious does not support mods via Steam Workshop.
Nefarious supports Remote Play on TV. Discover more about Steam Remote Play.
Nefarious is enabled for Steam Family Sharing. This means you can share the game with authorized users from your Steam Library, allowing them to play it on their own accounts. For more details on how the feature works, you can read the original Steam Family Sharing announcement or visit the Steam Family Sharing user guide and FAQ page.
You can find solutions or submit a support ticket by visiting the Steam Support page for Nefarious.
Data sources
The information presented on this page is sourced from reliable APIs to ensure accuracy and relevance. We utilize the Steam API to gather data on game details, including titles, descriptions, prices, and user reviews. This allows us to provide you with the most up-to-date information directly from the Steam platform.
Additionally, we incorporate data from the SteamSpy API, which offers insights into game sales and player statistics. This helps us present a comprehensive view of each game's popularity and performance within the gaming community.
Last Updates| Steam data | 28 April 2026 23:32 |
|---|---|
| SteamSpy data | 23 April 2026 12:08 |
| Steam price | 29 April 2026 04:45 |
| Steam reviews | 29 April 2026 03:48 |
If you'd like to dive deeper into the details about Nefarious, we invite you to check out a few dedicated websites that offer extensive information and insights. These platforms provide valuable data, analysis, and user-generated reports to enhance your understanding of the game and its performance.
- SteamDB - A comprehensive database of everything on Steam about Nefarious
- SteamCharts - Analysis of Nefarious concurrent players on Steam
- ProtonDB - Crowdsourced reports on Linux and Steam Deck Nefarious compatibility
