Nebelmer Review – Explore A Cozy Mini-Open World

Developer: Brume Studio
Release Date: August 11th, 2025
Price: $9.99
Platforms: Steam

Gameplay Experience in Nebelmer

Screenshot of a frog character on a surf staff sliding along a vine.

Where open-world games like Red Dead Redemption 2 are great for players who enjoy scanning up and down a map, Nebelmer takes an approach similar to games like Sable and Outer Wilds. In Nebelmer, players leave their village and wander around to discover the world’s mysteries through freeform adventures.

Movement is a core mechanic in the game throughout the player’s journey across Nebelmer; they will need to discover new ways to traverse through the land. Players will begin the game by familiarizing themselves with their staff, which can be used to surf and glide across the terrain. As they journey out into the world, they will encounter bubble geysers, bouncy jellyfish, windstreams, and more ways to travel.

Screenshot of a frog character sliding across water towards bubbles.

In addition to wandering around the game’s main three biomes and taking in the sights, players can also find various collectibles and mysteries hidden around the world. Some collectibles, such as masks and statues, can be tracked in the player’s in-game journal. These items have brief descriptions indicating where they may be located, which can help players who are overwhelmed by their exploration options by acting as a starting point in the adventure.

Nebelmer players can also receive tasks from some of the villagers in their home mountain, which they can complete while out exploring. These tasks can range from finding shells to seeking out a deeper meaning behind occurrences in the world.

Screenshot of a frog character looking at a canyon.

While gameplay in Nebelmer is very straightforward, players may occasionally run into some minor clipping issues with the terrain. There are times when trying to mantle up platforms where the platform edge takes a few tries before it registers the mantling action. Other times, the character may clip through terrain objects and get stuck. This can usually be corrected by closing the game without saving and returning to the last autosave. However, that does mean the player would have to retrace their steps a bit.

Overall, Nebelmer is an interesting exploration game. The biomes are whimsical and fun, and the music is very relaxing. Gameplay sessions are very dependent on each player’s approach to exploration. Some of the platforming elements can take some getting used to, especially when dealing with clipping. However, if you enjoy games such as Aer: Memories of Old, Sable, and Abzu, Nebelmer may be a game you will enjoy. Nebelmer is currently available on Steam for $9.99.