Classic Roguelike Gets Surprise Steam Update After 10 Years
▼ Summary
– Nuclear Throne, praised as one of the best action-roguelikes since 2015, has unexpectedly received a new beta update in 2025 after eight years without updates.
– The update includes quality-of-life improvements like 120fps support, new aspect ratios, a controls menu, and a new loading screen tip.
– Vlambeer, the studio behind the game, closed in 2020 but reopened in 2024 under co-founder Jan Nijman, who bought out Rami Ismail’s share.
– The studio plans to eventually bring the update to console versions but is prioritizing stability on PC first.
– Players can access the beta on Steam by selecting the “openbeta_win64” option in the game’s properties menu.
A decade after its initial release, the beloved roguelike Nuclear Throne has unexpectedly received a major update on Steam, breathing new life into Vlambeer’s cult classic. Fans of the fast-paced action game were treated to a surprise announcement revealing significant quality-of-life improvements, including 120fps support, expanded aspect ratio options, and a revamped controls menu. The developers even threw in a playful addition, a fresh loading screen tip featuring Melting, one of the game’s iconic characters.
The update marks a notable comeback for Vlambeer, which officially shut down in 2020 after celebrating its 10th anniversary. While co-founder Rami Ismail moved on, Jan Nijman retained ownership of the studio and has now revisited their breakout hit. The team emphasized that console players might see these enhancements later, but the focus remains on polishing the PC version first.
For those eager to test the beta, the process is straightforward: right-click Nuclear Throne in your Steam library, navigate to Properties, select the Betas tab, and choose “openbeta_win64” from the dropdown menu. Once the update downloads, players can dive back into the chaotic, bullet-hell mayhem with buttery-smooth performance.
Nuclear Throne’s resurgence proves that even years after release, a well-crafted roguelike can still captivate audiences, especially when developers deliver meaningful upgrades. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, this update offers the perfect excuse to revisit the throne.
(Source: PC Gamer)
