Every day, I clock in at the number factory with lofty dreams of making the biggest and best numbers I can - if I don’t, the sun explodes. At lunch, I go to my company’s café, where I eat as many meat kabobs as they have in stock, which help me make the numbers. My supervisor is named Tony, and if I make it to the end of my shift, he shoots lasers at me that destroy all my hard work. I love my job at Nubby’s Number Factory, a steadily growing indie game phenomenon since its release early last month.
As someone who loves games like Balatro and Luck Be a Landlord, where the core premise is essentially getting serotonin from watching numbers go up, I was immediately drawn to Nubby. It combines engaging mechanics with an old-school aesthetic and vaguely absurdist tone that checks all the right boxes for me, and 20 hours later, the plinko-inspired roguelike has completely sunk its claws into my psyche. Even after all that time, I’ve still got a lot to unlock, and with developer MogDogBlog Productions seemingly having lots of future plans, I can absolutely see it becoming the next Balatro-esque phenomenon.
Why Nubby’s Number Factory Has Balatro-Level Potential
Addictive, Synergistic Gameplay That’s Built For Breaking
Obviously, comparing something to Balatro’s smash success isn’t something to be done flippantly - it's a very high bar given how many records were broken by the award-winning game last year. The two have a lot in common, though: both are games focused on innovative number mechanics made by solo developers sporting a somewhat vintage look - though Nubby’s is more, as streamer Northernlion described it, “Adobe Flash Balatro,” versus the deckbuilder’s CRT look. It also doesn’t take itself too seriously, with silly character designs and items called things like Poop Butt.
Perhaps the biggest reason I believe Nubby has that potential, though, is the fact that getting into it reminds me of first getting obsessed with Balatro, when everywhere I went I was reminded of playing cards. Now, every time I see basically anything related to numbers, kabobs, or even circles, my brain immediately enters Nubby mode. It’s not just me that’s been feeling this way, either. Nubby’s Number Factory currently sits with overwhelmingly positive reviews on praising the retro roguelike’s look and addictive mechanics. It’s clearly making an impression - even Balatro developer localthunk tweeted about the game.
The Premise Of Nubby’s Number Factory
Making Company Quota Ain’t Easy
Work at the numbers factory consists of launching a sentient ball, Nubby, down rows of pegs, hoping to score enough to to the next level. Players only have six lives, and if all Nubbys are depleted before making quota, the sun explodes. When players meet or exceed the round goal, they earn restocks of the board based on how much they went over the necessary score. Restocks also earn lives and coins, the latter of which can be used to purchase items, which is where the real fun begins.
Considering how positively it’s already been received, it’s wild to think the title hasn’t even harnessed its full potential yet.
There are four different places to source items and perks: Nubby-Mart, Café Nubby, a coin-op claw machine, and the black market. Items all have different triggers, like Nubby bouncing or 10 pegs being popped, and effects, like doubling numbers or making Nubby emit nuclear waste that hits nearby pegs. In the café, players can buy food and feed a giant mouth on the wall for different effects, like adding shop rerolls or upgrading an inventory item. Perks are mostly earned after special challenge rounds, adding permanent effects mostly centered around force-triggering items.
There are tons of interesting synergies to be found here, and Nubby’s Number Factory also possesses something all good roguelikes need: the ability to make an absolutely busted run. In fact, it’s possible to get the score multiplier so high that the title literally announces, “You broke the game!” However, the game still maintains enough balance that every run doesn’t feel like a cakewalk; if anything, there can be a fairly steep learning curve at first, especially with some of the game’s extra challenge modes.
Stock In Nubby’s Number Factory Is Rising
Did I Mention This Game Is Only Five Dollars?
Developer MogDog seems to be keen on listening to the community and continuing to make the game better. Last week he released version 1.3, which rebalanced several facets of Nubby’s based on player , as well as adding several new items and perks. An outline for 1.4 is already in the works, too, with plans for more quality of life improvements, modes, and more. Considering how positively it’s already been received, it’s wild to think the title hasn’t even harnessed its full potential yet.
Nubby’s Number Factory has permanently altered my lexicon, making me say things like, “I really need that kebab to force trigger my cheese house,” which perfectly exemplifies how the game revels in delightful nonsense. With 20 hours in, I still have several supervisors to unlock and challenges to beat, and I can’t see myself cutting back shifts at the number factory any time soon. I will evangelize the magic of Nubby’s Number Factory to anyone who will listen, because I truly believe it has the potential to be the next big indie roguelike sensation.
Nubby's Number Factory is available now for PC via Steam.
Source: localthunk/X, mogdogblog/YouTube, Northerlion/YouTube, Nubby's Number Factory/Steam