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Play OverviewPlay Overview

Nuts (2021) is an adventure game where you play a rookie field researcher. You use your camera, caravan, GPS and map to investigate the depths of the enigmatic Melmoth Forest. As you study the local squirrel population you uncover a strange mystery.

Play develops through a series of challenges (surveillance, timing, and logic puzzles). You investigate the squirrels by placing cameras during the day and watching the footage at night. This enables you to incrementally move the cameras around to track the movement of the squirrels and where they are storing their food.

What starts as a research mission develops into a mystery about the small animal's peculiar behaviour. While you investigate a more troubling narrative emerges. Are the squirrels conspiring against us? Why is the study so well-funded? With each new day, things get weirder and weirder. But with both of you working on the case, maybe you can figure out what’s really going on.

It's an unusual game not only because of the subject matter and beautiful washed-out visuals but through the day-night rhythm of the investigation. Take your time to check all the footage and discover clues that link the evidence together.

The result is an unusual story about corporations' impact on the environment. It was inspired by this video of an acclaimed photographer ripping pages out of his book to illustrate the destruction of the environment. Unlike the common heroes' journey there is no clear positive outcome in the game either. Instead, you find yourself asking questions about whether the squirrels are on your side and how they are responding to the looming threat. It's playful, unsettling and a space for deep thinking about a complex topic without jumping to easy answers.

Our examiner, Andy Robertson, first checked Nuts 3 years ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 5 weeks ago.
Kids not old enough for this yet? There are lots of games similar to Nuts. Here are some similar younger-rated games:

Play StylePlay Style

This is a Simulation and Traversal game with Adventure, Narrative and Puzzle elements. This is a single-player game.

DurationDuration

Play Time: This game will take between 3 hours and 4 hours to complete.

Age RatingsAge Ratings

Content Rating

Rated PEGI 12 for Mild Swearing.

Rated for younger players in Australia. Rated Parental Guidance (PG) for Mild Coarse Language.
The game on Switch and PC includes one swear word, "*!@?*". But not on Apple Arcade where it is rated 9+ on the Apple App Store for Infrequent/Mild Profanity or Crude Humour.

Skill Level

9+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Still, it's important for parents and guardians to consider the maturity required to process the game content. You need observation skills and the ability to process what you are discovering.

CostsCosts

Nuts usually costs £15.49 to £17.99. 

Nuts

Steam StoreSALE PC £15.49 £3.87 until 21/03/2024
Switch Store Switch £17.99
Steam StoreSALE Mac £15.49 £3.87 until 21/03/2024
App Store iOS Subscription Free

Apple Arcade

App Store Apple TV Subscription Free

Apple Arcade

App Store Mac Subscription Free

Apple Arcade

There are no additional in-game purchases, loot boxes, adverts or subscription costs.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 20/01/2021

Price: 75% off

Out Now: Apple TV, Mac, PC, Switch and iOS

Skill Rating: 9+ year-olds

Players: 1

Genres: Simulation, Traversal (Adventure, Narrative and Puzzle)

Accessibility: 26 features

Components: 3D First-Person, Day and Night and Hand-Made

Developer: Joon Turbo (@JoonTurbo)


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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