N.O.M.A.D. is apparently a remake of a game with the same name, made quite some years ago. Having never played the original, I cannot compare the two but from what I can tell, this seems like a rather decent, if somewhat hard, game. Basically it involves running from room to room with a ‘war-droid’, dodging enemy fire, while trying to strategically place yourself in the right positions to either destroy the enemies or make a run straight through the room without getting hit. This is made even harder by the fact that there are various switches you must hit along your journey, which in turn will open electronic fields that allow you to move further into the game.

The graphics have a nice ‘modern’ 3d-ish top down view and are nicely rendered, with dark color schemes. These suit the tone of the game quite well, although they still feel underdone. Nonetheless the graphics are definitely one of the better aspects of the game. Oddly, even with all its modern touches the game does not scroll, but switches from one screen to the next as you move from room to room. No doubt, this is due to the original and the concept of ‘not knowing what is in the next room’ (the element of surprise) would be ruined if the game scrolled. Admittedly it does make the game quite challenging and certainly builds up the tension, as the rooms get harder and harder to navigate without getting blasted. After having played the game a few times, it clearly becomes a memory game, as you prepare to enter each room. Planning is definitely recommended.

The sound is actually rather atmospheric and creepy in its own way, with excellent title screen music and great in game sound effects that further help to build up the tension.

While I won’t put this in the ‘highly recommend’ category, I do find it intriguing. I feel as if it could have been a good deal better then it is but as it stands I would still say it is well worth a look.