Disclaimer: Everything in this review is based on my personal experience and opinions. If you enjoy Natural Disaster Survival, that's completely fine! This isn't meant to attack the game or its community. I'm simply sharing my honest thoughts after playing it.
Hey everyone, welcome back to the blog! Today I'm trying something a little different. Alongside my usual posts, I thought it'd be fun to start doing reviews of things related to Roblox. This can include games, web series, and pretty much anything else connected to the platform. Hopefully you guys like this idea because I have quite a few things I'd like to talk about in the future. But enough dragging out the introduction, let's get into today's review!
Does Natural Disaster Survival even need an introduction at this point?
For those who somehow don't know, Natural Disaster Survival (or NDS for short because typing the full name constantly is a pain) is a game created by StickMasterLuke. The premise is incredibly simple: survive as many disasters as possible without dying. That's pretty much the entire game.
And honestly... that's part of my problem with it.
I'm sorry if some of you were expecting me to praise this game as one of Roblox's greatest creations, but I personally find it kind of boring. Don't get me wrong, I understand why it's considered a classic. The game was revolutionary back in the day and helped define an entire genre on Roblox. However, when I play it nowadays, I struggle to stay invested for more than a few rounds.
One reason for this is the lack of gameplay variety. Outside of the disasters themselves, there really isn't much to do. There are only a handful of items available, and most of them either cost Robux or require you to watch advertisements in newer updates. One recent example is the hammer that lets players destroy floors and walls. While it's a neat idea, it doesn't really add enough depth to keep me coming back.
The biggest issue I have with the game, though, is the fall damage.
If you didn't know, Natural Disaster Survival uses a custom fall damage system. In theory that's fine, but in practice it can feel incredibly inconsistent. Sometimes I'll survive a massive drop without much issue, while other times I'll lose half my health because I stepped off what felt like a slightly taller staircase. There have been plenty of moments where I've taken damage from a fall that honestly didn't seem dangerous enough to warrant it. Maybe that's just me, but it's always been one of the most frustrating aspects of the game.
Another issue I have is exploiters.
Now, to be fair, exploiters are a problem in a lot of Roblox games, not just this one. However, they're especially annoying in Natural Disaster Survival because of how small the maps are. A lot of exploiters enjoy flinging players around at ridiculous speeds, instantly killing everyone they touch. Others simply break the maps entirely. Since every round takes place on a relatively small island, there usually isn't anywhere to run or hide. If an exploiter joins your server, your only real option is to hope the current disaster ends quickly.
Speaking of disasters, they're... okay.
I don't think they're bad, but I don't think they're amazing either. Most rounds play out in very similar ways after you've spent enough time with the game. Sure, every once in a while you'll get a double disaster, which can create some chaotic moments. You can also activate the weather machine to make disasters harder. Beyond that, though, there isn't much variety. After seeing the same disasters over and over again, they start feeling less exciting and more like routine chores.
Honestly, I genuinely don't understand how this game is still pulling in millions of visits and players after all these years.
Well, okay, that's not entirely true.
I think nostalgia plays a massive role in it.
For many players, Natural Disaster Survival was one of the first Roblox games they ever played. It's one of those games that's deeply embedded into Roblox culture. Even people who haven't played it in years probably remember surviving their first tornado or desperately climbing to the top of a structure only to watch it collapse seconds later.
But if you're looking purely at gameplay, I think there are much better options available nowadays.
For example, I'd personally recommend Something Evil Will Happen, which I'll hopefully be reviewing in a future blog post. While it's a very different kind of experience, I simply find it more engaging. As for older Roblox games that have stood the test of time, I'd argue that Work at a Pizza Place by Dued1 has aged much better. Every time I revisit that game, I still manage to have a good time. The cozy vibes, strange bugs, and overall charm give it a personality that keeps it entertaining even years later.
But I'm getting sidetracked.
So, what do I actually think about Natural Disaster Survival?
Honestly, it's a decent game that's definitely showing its age.
Considering it originally released back in 2011, it's honestly impressive that the game is still relevant today. A lot of Roblox games from that era disappeared years ago, yet NDS continues to attract players. That's an achievement in itself.
At the same time, many of the game's problems stem from that age. Some systems feel outdated, the disasters become repetitive after a while, and the lack of major gameplay additions makes it difficult for me to stay interested for long periods of time. The game's simplistic design was one of its greatest strengths back in the day, but in modern Roblox, where games are constantly evolving, that simplicity can also feel like a weakness.
That being said, I have to give credit where credit is due.
Without Natural Disaster Survival, Roblox probably wouldn't have nearly as many disaster-survival games as it does today. The game's influence on the platform is undeniable. It was such a huge success that StickMasterLuke eventually landed a job at Roblox itself, which is honestly pretty impressive.
The game's legacy can still be seen today as well. It's been referenced in several Roblox projects over the years. One recent example is Forsaken, where Natural Disaster Survival was adapted into a map. StickMasterLuke is also planned to appear as a survivor in a future update. Another example is Block Tales, where StickMasterLuke makes a small cameo during the Prologue chapter alongside Dued1 near the Expo Building.
At the end of the day, Natural Disaster Survival isn't a game I'd spend hours playing in its current state. The lack of variety, inconsistent fall damage, repetitive gameplay, and occasional exploiters make it difficult for me to fully enjoy. However, I also can't ignore how important this game is to Roblox history.
While I personally think there are much better disaster games available today, I can still understand why so many people have fond memories of this classic.
Final Rating: 6/10
A historic Roblox classic that helped shape the platform, but one whose age is becoming harder and harder to ignore.
And that's all for today's review!
Do you agree with me, or do you think I'm completely wrong and Natural Disaster Survival is still one of the best games on Roblox? Let me know what you think. Also, feel free to suggest games you'd like me to review next because I already have a few ideas lined up.
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you all in the next blog!!
Nameless out!!! <3
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