# NUTS - A Surveillance Mystery — user reviews > 53 indexed App Store user reviews of NUTS by Noodlecake Studios Inc, rated 4.00/5 from 237 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuts-a-surveillance-mystery/id1467043989/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuts-a-surveillance-mystery/id1467043989.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 130 · 4★ 45 · 3★ 19 · 2★ 19 · 1★ 24 ## What do users think of NUTS? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎨 Unique and beautiful art style - 📖 Compelling story with meaningful environmental message - 🎮 Creative and innovative gameplay mechanics - 🎵 Excellent soundtrack and voice acting - 😌 Relaxing and immersive atmosphere - 🐿️ Charming squirrel-tracking concept - ✨ Engaging narrative that unfolds progressively - 🎯 Appropriate difficulty progression **Cons** - 🎮 Difficult and unintuitive controls - 🐛 Frequent lag and performance issues - 🔋 Excessive battery drain - 💾 No mid-chapter save functionality - 📱 Poor text readability on mobile screens - 🎨 Low contrast makes UI elements hard to see - ⏱️ Game closes if app is left for 30 seconds - 🌡️ Phone overheating during extended play - ❓ Lack of clear tutorial and directions - 🎮 Controller support is glitchy - 📏 Small interactive elements difficult to tap - ⚠️ Accessibility issues for visually impaired users **Commonly reported bugs** - Save file deletion upon app restart - Game won't acknowledge squirrels in photos - Movement controls freeze after settings menu changes - iPad viewport resolution lower than iPhone - Timestamp level extremely buggy with false rejections - Record button unresponsive in chapter 2 - Game crashes and wipes progress on final level - Time display shows future dates - PS4 controller causes constant forward movement - Controls lock to single interaction perpetually - Menu glitches from repeated button presses - Second monitor not fully visible during playback **Most requested features** - Mid-chapter save option - Free-play mode after story completion - Normal graphics mode alternative - More story chapters or continuation - Post-game resolution of character fates - Better tutorial and in-game guidance - Option to remove or censor profanity - Console/PC version - DLC or sequel content - Improved controller support - Accessibility settings for text size - Horror game variant in same style ## Newest reviews (14 of 53) ### 3/5 — Hi, Good game *2022-09-22, version 1.1.98* This is a good game although I personally think it it a little too hard. (Maybe make levels of experience or something) The color scheme can sometimes be annoying but it is still a good game otherwise. I will give it five stars if these things could potentially be changed. ### 3/5 — fun but unsatisfying *2022-05-11, version 1.1.98* It was kind of hard to get the hang of at first and the tutorial isn’t great about directing you or repeating instructions. Once I finally figured it out it was quite fun and cute. It had a pretty good story but the ending is so unsatisfying. Too much is left hanging. I got out but what happened to Simon? Was he ever ok? How was the corporation getting my photos to edit? How did they forge Nina’s signature? Did she ever find someone to talk to and stop this? What happened to the rest of the squirrels? All these questions were unanswered and just left it so dissapointing. ### 3/5 — Cool but frustrating when nothing saves *2021-08-16, version 1.1.98* really cool game but I have stopped playing because it NEVER saves anything. I continually repeat chapter 2 because everything is lost once I exit the app. insanely annoying for all your hard work ( decorating the caravan with pictures and setups) I am just tired of starting back up again, completing missions and then to come back to it with progress wiped ☹️ ### 4/5 — Awesome, but should’ve been something else *2021-08-01, version 1.1.98* Don’t get me wrong this game is great and I love it. The graphics, the story and the way it is, is amazing. So real talk this game does give me some crappy vibes like if it were a horror game. I really do wish this was a horror game, like for example a finding Bigfoot game in this style would be great. A game like this about tracking squirrels doesn’t sound much fun for gamers, I myself still love this game even if it’s not a horror. But like the graphics the sounds the music does seem to give off the vibe of a horror game that never was 😢. Really hope you guys do make a finding Bigfoot game or any kind of horror game in this style that has potential. ### 4/5 — Love the game but there’s a visual bug on iPad *2021-06-20, version 1.1.98* So I’ve been waiting to play this for a while and it’s really exciting to be able to through Apple Arcade. That being said there’s a wired and experience/immersion breaking bug that lasts through most of what I’ve played the iPad Pro version that isn’t there on the iPhone version; the viewport resolution on the iPad seems inexplicably lower than on the iPhone. Initially I thought it was deliberate but after not being able to read what looked like written instructions on a prop, I checked on my iPhone for a similar resolution and the same asset was completely readable by comparison. I’m still happy to just play the game on my iphone, but it would be amazing if the devs could fix this :D Cheers and amazing work! ### 5/5 — Beautiful and Enjoyable! *2021-06-05, version 1.1.98* Graphic style is so unique and interesting, whicch is what intriqued me to play in the first place… This game is so much more than what I thought it would be! There was an actual storyline and beautiful and heavy message behind it. My jaw dropped when I conpleted the game! The gameplay is so fun and unique. It’s so peaceful and honestly and anxiety reducer. It’s so fun setting up cameras and rolling through surveillance and recording data about these cute little creatures! (I’m not sure why other comments said they were struggling with controls, yes they’re a little finnicky when the screen locks on something but they’re bot terrible or inconvenient at all! It was actually quite easy to control…) The only feedback I have for this game is this: There should be a freeplay mode after you complete the story so you can chase squirrels around without stopping and waiting through the stories! I would love to play this more! Overall this is one of my favorite games ever! Definitely recommend! ### 5/5 — For an iPhone game, absolutely amazing. *2021-05-22, version 1.1.98* I’m giving this game five stars because from the perspective of an iPhone game it’s absolutely amazing. It has a beautiful story line that really immerses the person playing into the game. Overall it took me about 3 hours of off and on playing to finish. The only main complaint I have it that there’s no safe button.. if you’re playing a chapter make sure you don’t exit out if the app before it’s finished Okay, let me review this game from a console/PC perspective. If this were a console game I would actually enjoy it more and 100% buy the full version. There’s a few things like the save button, glitches, and an unclear direction on what to do next that would deter me Overall an excellent game and for an iPhone app you can’t beat it ### 5/5 — Wonderful Game *2021-05-17, version 1.1.98* Such a unexpectedly fun and unique game. First off, the visuals are spectacular. The gameplay is extremely interesting. You’re Tracking squirrels with cameras and tripods, then watching your footage and capturing pictures of them. The game can get pretty challenging at times, since there is very little help in actually finding the squirrels. I very much enjoy this sort of challenge in a game. The game is so much more than chasing squirrels. There’s a story of cover ups involving the environment of the places you visit. Interesting enough to make you want to keeping chasing squirrels. ### 4/5 — An excellent game, but... *2021-05-05, version 1.1.98* It drains the phone battery a ton while playing. I’m talking about like 100% to 10% in just 2 chapters. The story is good and all, but I would not recommend playing this game if you’re out and about and not already have your phone plugged into a charger ### 3/5 — Loved it *2021-05-05, version 1.1.98* Loved everything about it. Challenging, beautiful, creative. But on the level where it requires time stamps it is extremely buggy. She keeps telling me that the squirrel isnt in the image (it was) or that it’s not in the correct order? I tried it with every camera, made sure the time stamp was correct, and made sure it was printing the right image. I closed the app and started it again just in case. Didn’t work. ### 5/5 — Top 5 on Apple Arcade *2021-04-12, version 1.1.53* One of my absolute favorite games on Apple Arcade alongside Sneaky Sasquatch, the Bradwell Conspiracy, Sayonara Wild Hearts and The Last Campfire. It starts you off slow and following the squirrels becomes progressively more difficult, with the story unfolding at an appropriate pace that keeps you playing in a state of suspense while never becoming the horror game I sometimes feared it would become, which is certainly a good thing. ### 4/5 — creative and fun, but buggy *2021-04-02, version 1.1.53* I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this--the challenges were enticing, not repetitive, and not so frustrating that I would give up. Controls seemed good and the narrative dialogue felt very organic. Love the whimsical idea of tracking squirrels. I did encounter a couple critical bugs--one occurred in the first chapter where the game told me I had followed the wrong squirrel, but it worked after I restarted the game. The second bug was more devastating--I was at the tail end of the 2nd chapter and the game would not let me record past one night (nothing happened when i hit the "record" button). So after I opened the boxes for the cameras, i'd set up, record one night, then have to restart the game and try again. The game was engaging enough that I still persisted and finished the game, but it was definitely frustrating. Overall would recommend, but warn you might need to restart frequently, if the game glitches out. ### 5/5 — Peaceful but eerie *2021-03-25, version 1.1.53* I liked this game enough to write a review within 2 hours of play time and I’d recommend it to anyone reading this! I did experience a glitch early on (May have pressed too many buttons on the menu repeatedly) but aside from that it’s been a great game with a wonderful soundtrack. It can be a bit creepy? You’re the only person in this forest with human development ruining the place and you’re hunting for squirrels. I would say 9/10 because I kind of wish it was a horror game, these developers do an amazing job with atmosphere and lighting. Using the cameras and just barely being able to make out what’s moving along on the edge of the forest...I just love it, great job! ### 4/5 — Super fun but short *2021-03-21, version 1.1.53* I didn’t have any problems figuring out how to play, controls are jumpy but you get used to it. I was just bummed about the ending, it felt cut short and I finished in a couple hours 🤷🏻‍♀️ ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — I hate this game *2022-09-18, version 1.1.98* This game was extremely frustrating I haven’t seen a squirrel in all this time I’ve been playing in the game is extremely hard I had to go back and do things multiple times can you please fix this I’m not even sure if I put my camera in the right spot😡 ### 1/5 — so laggy and no direction *2021-05-28, version 1.1.98* it sounds like a really nice calm fun game, but it was so laggy it was really hard to click on the things i needed. i also had a hard time trying to figure out what to do and where to go because there’s basically no directions. i spent so long just looking for the keys to the trailer, and i eventually just had to google it. i ended up having to google pretty much everything after that as well because it just doesn’t explain what to do. i had to give up in chapter two because i just had no idea where to set the second camera and google didn’t even help with that lol. i’ll definitely try it again if i see an update for it that addresses these issues. ### 1/5 — 😡 *2021-04-01, version 1.1.53* I played the game because the add for it looked super cool but when I got into the game the controls were supper hard to control because it lagged so much that when I moved the controls nothing was where I wanted it and I couldn’t figure out how to get the door open in the tutorial because it never told me how!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!😡😡😡 ### 1/5 — Waiting for a squirrel *2021-01-29, version 1.1.34* I’m still waiting. Controls are not good. Overall I can’t see playing this game for over 3 or 4 minutes. It needs another update. To the people telling others to take the time to learn how to play...nope. I’m not paid to decipher poorly written or non existent instructions. If I can’t pick up a game and play, it gets deleted. You guys and gals want to figure it out? Go for it. ### 2/5 — What’s Nuts are the Controls! *2023-06-14* I struggled with this game for more than 15 minutes, and all I managed to get was a mild headache and a not-so-mild desire to throw my phone against a wall and scream. Which probably would have made the headache worse, had I succumbed to the desire. I read several reviews before installing, so I was prepared for some frustration with the controls. I’ve managed to get used to some odd setups over the years. But this is beyond nuts. Maybe if I ever get a console-style controller I’ll try it again, as it really does sound like a cool game. But until then, it’s not a game at all; just an exercise in frustration. And I’m not Zen Master enough for this 10th level stuff. ### 2/5 — Slow and tedious *2021-04-08, version 1.1.53* I like the originality of the premise, the art style, and the hints of mystery. Unfortunately, the gameplay is too slow and repetitive. Set up a camera, see which direction the squirrel goes, move the camera in that direction, night after night. You finally lost me at the part where I had to take a bunch of photos at specific timestamps. How is that supposed to be fun? The story, while mildly intriguing, is not compelling enough to overcome the boring gameplay. ### 2/5 — It’s a great 😊 but I have to delete it. 😢😪 *2021-03-25, version 1.1.53* I love the game, but it deleted my save. After all, the title says it all. I was loading into the game, and they’re wasn’t any “continue” button. I pressed the load game button, and they’re was a slots 🎰 that said, “empty” I was so frustrated I immediately exited out of the app and deleted it. I’d love the game and add three stars if they fix it. I’ll maybe even download it again. Please fix this, it has great 👍🏻 potential. Please fix!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ### 2/5 — Can’t Get The Nav *2021-02-24, version 1.1.53* Navigating is difficult to understand on phone. Often accidentally looking straight up at the sky or down at the ground. Backing up and repositioning take up half your time. Figuring out which object to interact with is a lengthy exercise in guess work. Initial take, too frustrating to be worth it. ### 2/5 — I would love to love it but..it wasn’t meant to be. *2021-02-21, version 1.1.53* I would love to love this game and I had high hopes but it doesn’t seem meant for me at all. First I like a little direction and the slightest bit of tutorial. Nope. When I figured out how to get to the caravan (no worries) I had to figure out how to get in and then gas up the generator. No problem, I took this as a bit of a “training”. But why this, none of this helped me play the game. When I hit to the first squirrel there should have been some tip like “ get the whole tree in view”. But no, so wasted a night there. Then I wasted like 15 minutes faxing the squirrel at different distance for camera two only to realize I was supposed to take the camera further out. After night 12 and waaaay too many faxes I just gave up because honestly I’m at a loss as to what yo do and the squirrel is no longer in view. The phone callls don’t help give any kind of direction and I felt it actually got a bit insulting at a point where a player is clearly struggling and could use some instruction which “ do you know what a squirrel looks like” is not. In the end I don’t play games to feel like I have a terrible boss and I’m doing a terrible job. I wanted to play this with my kid but that’s not going to happen. I honestly may be overthinking it but the latest trend toward escape room style games that don’t bother to tell you anything just isn’t working out. ### 2/5 — Difficult *2021-02-08, version 1.1.4* Just downloaded the game, but I can’t get into it because the controls are entirely too difficult. The controls to move forward and look around are too fast and difficult to manage. The game sounds so fun, but because of the controls I can’t get started. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — One of the greatest games I have ever played *2023-10-10* This game is so good that I watched all the way through the credits just to thank all of the people for creating this game and helping make it and so accessible for so many different languages. Thank you so much for this game you are made this world better just buy this game. The story is great. I love the ending. Yes, just yes greatest game, I don’t want to say one thing lol for some reason it didn’t count all of my achievements do you know what that’s my devices fault ### 5/5 — easily the best app game i've ever played *2023-06-14* took me a solid three and a half hours to play through the game once. completely engaging and magical, i was enthralled. looks beautiful, sounds incredible, and comes with a great message. relaxing and calm, but suspenseful when it wants to be. i adore Nina's voice work. the gameplay is unique and fun, i once ran into a problem where the game wouldn't acknowledge a squirrel that was in the photo but i just got a different angle and it worked fine. (this was during the time stamps level, at 30) wonderful all the way through ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ### 5/5 — There’s so much to love! *2023-02-21, version 1.1.98* This game is beautiful and eerie and funny and important and just overall amazing. I really enjoyed it. The story was captivating and the gane itself is so unique and interesting! I love that there’s no pressure to trace the squirrels down in a certain number of nights or something. You’re just investigating and it’s super cool. I do wish you could save mid chapter though. It kinda does it, but not really and I ended up repeating sections several times. I didn’t really mind that when compared to how much I liked the experience overall, but it was a tad annoying. ### 5/5 — Calming, yet satisfying *2023-01-13, version 1.1.98* I don’t write reviews very often, because most mobile games are mediocre. But, this game is worth the time to give a review. I will admit, I wasn’t fond of the color palettes at first, but you get used to it, and it becomes essential, gameplay-wise. I’m very upset only for the fact that it is such a short game. I was hoping for at least one more chapter, but the ending is still satisfying enough, and lets you tie off loose ends in your own imagination. It makes me want to go back out into the forest again. And reconnect. It’s such a cute game with cute little squirrels, and you really feel like you’ve become a part of the story and want to help. I’m hoping for some DLC or a story continuation at some point, but amazing job to the devs and everyone who created such an immersive game. ### 5/5 — Great game but *2022-11-12, version 1.1.98* OK I love the game but I have a slight problem I went into the settings on you and I changed something up you know like bigger subtitles because I am practically blind but nothing really else and and I exited the Settings menu And suddenly I can’t move can you give me any advice on to fix it I really like the game great game I just can’t play for some reason ### 5/5 — The Game *2022-02-26, version 1.1.98* Hi so I absolutely love the game but to me it kinda scares me like right know I’m we’re the two squirrels come out of nowhere and the weird information kinda scares me so next time make it less weird PS. ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE GAME! ❤️🐿 ### 5/5 — Amazing but……PLEASE READ *2021-09-28, version 1.1.98* I love the game but maybe you could put a setting where you could Change the graphics to like a normal looking setting but I love the game ### 5/5 — Beautiful snd Fun *2021-08-17, version 1.1.98* The graphics are beautiful and creative and the tasks gradually get harder. It’s a lot of fun but I understand why some people wouldn’t like the format or the type of game since a lot of it requires having to re set up cameras and watching closely to where the squirrels go ### 5/5 — Fantastic!!! *2021-07-22, version 1.1.98* SUCH a great game! Wish it didn’t have to end so abruptly. I was looking forward to what would happen after crossing.. Please make more chapters or more games like this, it was beautifully made! ### 5/5 — 10/10 Would recommend. *2021-07-19, version 1.1.98* I LOVE THIS. The art style is fantastic. The story is fantastic. I would have loved to have at least been able to see what happened AFTER the game, like what happened to the squirrels but even without it it’s still an amazing game. I might just go back, see if I missed anything. Though, I’m not gonna lie, I was half expecting something to jump out at me as I was setting up the cameras. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*