Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes often left me yelling at my friends. The pressure of defusing a bomb while also giving or following directions is stressful. Very rarely is stress-inducing gameplay a good thing. However, in the case of Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, anxious yelling was often followed by laughter. The game can be best classified as a party game that serves as a communication exercise. Mixing a fresh concept with consistent challenges, this is a game that works excellently.

Developer: Steel Crate Games Inc.

Publisher: Steel Crate Games Inc.

4 hours played // Review Copy Provided // $14.99

When I read the concept of Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes, I didn’t understand why the game had so much traction. It is a bomb squad simulator where one or more friends have to explain the directions to the player defusing the bomb. The defuser cannot look at the instructions and the instructors cannot look at the bomb. I simply did not understand how the game could translate into something fun. Very quickly, I learned how ill-informed my initial scepticism was.

Despite sounding easy, the game is both difficult and constantly captivating. To begin with, the directions are intentionally written to be convoluted, making both understanding and explaining them quite the challenge. Beyond that, every bomb has a timer which, when it hits zero, causes the bomb to explode. If players make a mistake (say, they cut the wrong wire), they get a strike. Succeed with less than three strikes, and Nobody Explodes. Incur three strikes and, you guessed it, somebody explodes!

An example of the convoluted and confusing instructions

Then, there is the game’s constantly increasing difficulty. Though the game starts with one or two modules and plenty of time, it slowly adds ever more complex modules. While I started simply cutting wires, before long I was transcribing Morse code. To keep players on their toes, distractions are riddled throughout different rounds in the form of alarm clocks going off and lights flickering. Just when you think you have figured out the key to teamwork, the game throws in “needy” modules which require players to check up on them to avoid a strike. Though at times stressful, these challenges are refreshing and keep the game from becoming routine.

Not captured by video: my shouts of “what do you mean the lights went off?!” followed by frantic instructions

There are two modes of play. First, there is a “bomb” mode, with 26 carefully curated challenges. However, the bombs are procedurally generated to ensure the game remains fresh. So, though the challenge may be “8 modules in 8 minutes”, you’re never quite sure which modules you’ll play. There is also “free play”, where you can specify the time limit, the number of modules, and whether to include “needy” modules and “hardcore” modules. As you might expect, “hardcore” indicates that if you mess it up once, you explode. If there are specific modules you don’t want to deal with, there is an accessibility menu where you can veto specific challenges. Despite there only being two modes, the options for gameplay are endless which keeps the experience from becoming stale.

You never know what challenges you’re going to have to overcome

Mechanically, the game runs great on the Switch. Unlike other VR ports, which fall short, Keep Talking does an excellent job. It never feels like a subpar version of a game that belongs on another console; it holds its own. The controls are responsive and playing the game undocked makes it very easy to ensure players aren’t looking at each other’s screens. My biggest issue is that the bomb diffusion manual is online, so players without an internet accessible device are out of luck. Even though I do have internet access, I often found it stressful that my cell phone would slowly load pages while I was trying to give instructions with a timer ticking. However, this issue can be easily circumvented if you print off the manual or have a better phone.

However, this minor issue with Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is also a blessing in disguise. For, even though this game works as an excellent local co-op experience, the online manual makes it great to play with friends who are afar. Only one person needs to own the game and the other can simply download the manual, hop on Discord, and start giving instructions. Though I’ve yet to try this, I am really excited to give it a shot with some of my long distance buddies.

Even if your communication skills are top-notch, you’re going to fail sometimes

Visually and aurally, the game is kind of boring. Nothing stands out, but that’s okay. This game sets out to be an innovative game about bomb diffusion, puzzles, and communication. In those areas, it excels. I believe it does so well because the developers did not get bogged down in details that weren’t terribly important to the overall experience of the game. However, I will concede that some people will be put off by the lackluster visuals and lack of a real soundtrack. I was not one of those people.

This game was thoroughly enjoyable. As someone who spends a lot of time and energy looking for fun games to play with friends, I often find myself disappointed with the market. You can only play Cards Against Humanity at so many parties before it is boring. I am happy to report that Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes will become a mainstay of my party game repertoire and I believe it will take a long time for me and my friends to bore of it. At only $14.99, this game is a steal! If you have any interest in party games, give it a look!





Do you have a party game you recommend I check out? Leave me a comment or join our Discord! I’m always looking for suggestions. Another one of my favorites is the adorable Sausage Sports Club!

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