Simulator disguised as an arcade game slowly tricking you into learning things. On the surface is just seems like a fun colorful sandbox aircraft game, there's big explosions, cool planes, and extremely simple controls that are very intuitive. However, underneath are realistic aircraft flight models that even rival expensive simulators, weapon systems that function like real weapon systems, sensors that work like real sensors and the best aircraft damage models that exist anywhere, bar none. This makes Nuclear Option very easy to learn, but very difficult to master because real world tactics are key.

Nuclear option also has something that you cannot find anywhere else, and that is dynamic combat environments. Didn't bother shooting that enemy convoy? Well now they've made it to your airfield and are shooting your hangars and refuelers. Decided to avoid the enemy carrier group? Well now they've moved into the bay and the enemy can launch fighters from right outside your base. Conversely every action you do take, from jamming a radar to blowing up a factory helps shift the fight in your team's favor. While Nuclear Option is a fantastic single player experience, it is even better in multiplayer, being able to co-ordinate with other players in real-time.

Nuclear Option has something for everyone, whether you just want to see things explode in a nuclear fireball, or if you're a hardcore flight-sim nerd who always gets makes sure they're on glideslope before final approach. This game replaced DCS and WarThunder for me, 11/10.

Let's talk about potential. And no, I'm not using this term to sugarcoat a game that failed to deliver on its promises, relying on future updates to deliver what was promised. I'm talking about real, unrealized Potential - a game that is right on track become something truly exceptional. Nuclear Option, currently in early access, is one such title.

The aircraft handling is responsive and immersive, Planes can stall if pushed too far, but mastering their full capabilities offers great reward.
Unlike some other combat flight games, this one doesn't require a lengthy learning curve for your aircraft itself - you can jump into a plane and start performing well right away.

Engaging enemies in dogfights, strafing convoys, or bombing facilities feels tactile and rewarding. The detailed damage model adds to this: planes can lose stabilizers, flaps, or wings, but still limp home for repairs. Your aircraft can take quite a beating before becoming completely unusable, assuming you even make it to a dogfight—most engagements are over in a flash, with ranged attacks often deciding the outcome early.

The game also shines in its demand for strategic thinking. Understanding your aircraft and your enemy’s systems is key. Simply spamming flares won’t save you—surviving requires precise timing and knowledge of how different systems interact. Mistakes are punished swiftly, often leading to a quick on-screen death.

The progression system is relatively straightforward but massively rewarding. Each time you play, your level and money resets -- this might seem like a drawback at first, but it actually makes each game uniquely challenging, you cannot just grind your way to the top and then stomp every lobby you join, you start with the Cricket, just like everyone else.
Your goal is to destroy enemy targets to gain levels and earn money, with which you can then unlock and buy better jets, with better weapons. It's a nice feedback loop: the more you play and level up, the more options become available to you in terms of aircraft and weaponry, Careless play can quickly leave you without funds for new planes, making survival and returning with your aircraft intact essential.

Starting or joining a game mid-match doesn't put you at a significant disadvantage either. Basic aircraft are not to be underestimated, the lowly Compass can be a formidable opponent, even in the better planes, so even if you join late in the match, you can still contribute to the action without feeling overwhelmed.

So, what's holding Nuclear Option back from reaching its full potential? Unfortunately, it's the user interface, controls and limited content. The 'virtual joystick' using a mouse often feels clunky, though you can tweak settings to improve responsiveness, opening the map relieves you of all controls of your plane, and targetting specific enemies from first person view can be very fiddly. Flight stick users report smoother experiences, with better hardware support. The menus, while functional, can be frustratingly unintuitive. For example, viewing weapon descriptions requires you to click off and on again, which could be improved with an icon-based interface, with on-hover descriptions.

One feature that would greatly improve the game experience is the addition of dedicated servers. As it stands, larger missions can take upwards of 4 hours to complete, and unfortunately, lobbies are hosted by a single player, if that player leaves, everyone goes back to the main menu. Dedicated servers with persistent battlefields would be a game-changer in this regard, allowing matches to continue uninterrupted even if players disconnect midway through.

Currently, there's only one map (~50x50km), and while it's fun, flying the same routes, dealing with familiar enemy spawns, and facing the same mission goals does get repetitive.

I'm not going to deduct points for this (yet) however, because I genuinely believe that these issues can be improved upon or even solved outright. The developers are actively working on the game and are constantly releasing updates, it's clear they're listening to feedback, and that they want the game to end up as great as it can be.

Nuclear Option has enormous potential. With some UI refinements and more content, this game could be something special. If you enjoy combat flight games, this one’s worth keeping an eye on.

It breaks my heart to give Nuclear Option a negative review, it's a fantastic game and yes every flight sim fan should buy it! Unfortunately it let down by one flaw........................ And that is Trackir stops working after crash and burning at the end of each mission and you have to either restart the game or Trackir to get it working again.
I could understand if this was a new problem but I've had the game 2 months and there are forum posts prior to my purchase which haven't been responded too. This problem needs to be acknowledged and resolved.