NOMIAD is an action, indie, simulation, and adventure game set on a desolate planet where players command a crew of droids aboard a customizable ship. The core experience centers on accepting contracts from the Foundry, completing objectives across the surface, and returning with resources to expand the vessel. Solo play or cooperative sessions with up to six players sharing the same ship form the foundation of progression, with droids handling combat roles and repairs during engagements.
Gameplay
Players begin by outfitting a ship deck by deck, installing modules that support exploration, defense, and resource handling. Droids assigned to turrets provide automated fire support while others perform on-the-spot repairs to damaged systems. Contracts drive the main loop, sending the crew to specific locations for targeted tasks that range from intercepting mobile threats to securing stationary targets. The surrounding world operates independently, with miners extracting materials, raiders pursuing those operations, and wrecked vessels undergoing reconstruction into functional craft even when the player is absent. This creates a persistent simulation where actions occur regardless of direct involvement, positioning the crew as both participants and observers in an ongoing ecosystem.
Exploration involves navigating the planet's surface alongside the droid team, managing ship positioning for support fire, and coordinating retrieval of cargo or data. Salvage operations incorporate specialized collection drones to gather materials efficiently. Ship upgrades directly influence success rates on subsequent contracts, as improved armor, weaponry, and internal systems allow crews to tackle more demanding assignments without frequent retreats.
Game Modes
Play supports solo operation of the full ship or cooperative control shared among up to six participants on a single vessel. Contract types include skiff hunts paired with drone swarms, siege walker pursuits, drone carrier eliminations, cargo theft sequences that require disabling a hauler before boarding and offloading freight, base assaults combined with defensive stands, obelisk scans alongside derelict repairs, and dedicated salvage runs. Each contract type emphasizes different ship configurations and droid assignments, encouraging repeated visits to refine tactics and equipment.
Cooperative sessions distribute responsibilities across crew stations, with some players focusing on piloting and positioning while others direct turret fire or manage internal repairs. Solo runs place the full burden on one operator, requiring careful prioritization of ship systems and droid commands to handle simultaneous threats.
Ship Customization and Crew Management
Deck-by-deck construction allows targeted improvements to cargo capacity, defensive coverage, and mobility. Each addition alters how the ship performs during contract execution, from enhanced sensor range for locating objectives to reinforced plating that withstands prolonged engagements. Droid crews fill specialized positions that evolve with the ship's layout, maintaining turret operations and conducting field repairs without interrupting the primary mission flow.
Resource returns from completed contracts fund further modifications, creating a steady cycle of expansion. The independent world simulation ensures that resource availability and threat levels shift over time, influencing which contracts become viable based on current ship capabilities.
Is It Worth Playing?
The combination of ship building, droid coordination, and contract-driven objectives in a living simulation suits players who prefer methodical progression alongside cooperative or solo management of a shared vessel. Those drawn to action sequences integrated with simulation elements will find consistent engagement through varied contract structures and the need to adapt ship loadouts. The persistent world activity adds depth without requiring constant presence, rewarding observation of ongoing processes alongside active participation. Players seeking this style of gameplay will likely find the experience aligns with repeated sessions focused on optimization and team coordination.
