Great work on the visual representation and view control (which matches most CAD systems for all you mechanical design folks out there), and I find the interface to be clean and simple.

As a chap who could be described as 'middling' at best in the real world of electronics, this will definitely reduce the number of destroyed components from general idiocy to near-zero. Only near-zero, as general idiocy is woefully incurable. I have often considered putting together my own solution to a logic problem beyond simple relay logic but have never gotten around to getting the components in hand to make that solution happen. Instead, I have turned to the convenient, usually over-featured, and arguably less robust, world of microcontrollers. I have used Arduino, R-Pi, Rabbit SBCs, PLCs, etc., for industrial control applications, prototyping, and even some production systems. And made some money for the privilege. The point of all that is to say that if this software had been available to me at the time when I was developing such things, I could have produced less expensive, more reliable, less costly, and more elegant solutions to some of those problems. That alone makes this software an unqualified win, even if the development ended here.

Given my work history and CAD experience, I have found the practical use of CRUMB to be highly intuitive. Some have suggested that tutorials are needed, but given the nature, application, and practical accuracy of the software, I suggest that it comes will an incredible wealth of how-to, as everything online which teaches real-world benchtop circuit design (which is very often done by breadboard) transitions seamlessly into teaching everything you need to know to make CRUMB work for you. I strongly advise you to avoid the temptation to search specifically for CRUMB tutorials; search instead for circuit design tutorials and you will get the the basics in a hurry. Keep in mind, though, that people go to school and get degrees to make amazing things happen in the world of solid-state components - don't expect to build a working calculator on day zero.

The reduction in solder smoke in the living room, along with eliminating that special smell of self-destructing components that tends to linger in the house like curry, will definitely improve relationships, reduce stress, and be a general improvement to quality-of-life for the married-parent-tinkerers among us. I look forward to the future enhancements that will add components such as tantalum capacitors, and the component-specific effects like those special popping burning flashes one gets when you install them backwards. Missing such moments of shocked dismay, upon reflection, may have struck me with a surprising and ethereal sense of loss...

A big thank-you to the developer, a fellow Mike, it turns out. Excellent work; elegant and effective.

Of course, since CRUMB (as some have pointed out) is categorized as a game, the useful gamer review follows:

Can't wait for the multiplayer PVP! 11/10. Will short-circuit again.

Well, well, well. What a pleasant surprise. Properly creative, satisfying, visually appealing, well made, well priced, and well dressed.

I like it, I play it, my 8 and 6-year-olds play it (the other two little menaces will shortly, no doubt), and unbelievably enough, my wife likes it. Now gather around, friends, and I shall tell you a tale...

When this little gem is running on my living room TV-PC, for the first time in years, nobody is screaming, kicking, throwing things, trying to subtly reach their feet over on the couch to click the mouse and pretend it was an accident, and they are not even - I can hardly believe this - not even asking for snacks. My family has never gotten along so well when more than one of us was awake. I hesitate to tempt fate, but yesterday I actually found myself watching the kids build their cute little town while slowly floating away from that ever-present mental state of parental disillusionment that appears in the mind of every stay-at-home dad who finds himself outnumbered by children needing constant remote-schooling tech support while his wife is at work all day making the money to buy games. Uhh, I mean feed the family.

Maybe having kids wasn't such a bad idea. Maybe.

I know what you're thinking - 'Objection your Honour! Relevance!' - Well, it's my review and I'm the judge around here, so OVERRULED! People are so impatient when it comes to unnecessary exposition and gratuitous digression. The nerve. Fine, I'll get right to the point:

You know those Quantic Dream games where, in the critical final-scene decision you've worked toward for hours or days, you hit the wrong keyboard button in the quiet darkness because you can't play with the kids around, and you can't turn the light on for fear of spousal interference, and your favourite character is unceremoniously slain for no reason as a result?
You can't yell in fury and frustration for fear of awoken-child-squawking-syndrome followed by enthusiastic and creative spousal criticism of your gaming habits.

This game is the cure.
Well done.

I've been playing this a little every day (sometimes a lot), and it has become a little part of my daily routine. My PC runs on my living room TV, and when my kids wake up at the outrageous hour of five-ish, I can relax and chat with them while playing. Most of the time.

This game is totally family-friendly, encourages learning and creative thinking, is visually impressive, exciting, and is just the right amount of challenging. My six and eight-year-olds are constantly asking for a turn, which I allowed early on since they never took long. Unfortunately, their turns are getting longer and longer as they come up with good builds of their own. They have even taken to suggesting upgrades while they watch me, often pointing toward a route to a super-mod that they think would work well. Outrageous. My three-year-old will start chiming in any day now...

I always play on maximum difficulty, and often come up with an idea for a build that I'm so sure will work that I run it ten times just to make it through the first few waves and prove that it could work. When your build idea starts coming together and working, there is an incredible sense of satisfaction. I even find myself having ideas for builds pop into my mind as I go through my day. Don't tell my wife.

The developer has dedicated a ton of work and time to Nova Drift, has continued to improve the game, listens to suggestions, and has an active community of support. Though still in early access, the game is extremely playable, and does not present as being particularly incomplete. If there were never any new features added or changes made, I would still be perfectly satisfied with what I have, and well worth its price. In fact, now that I think of it, this game may be the best value for money of any game I've ever played.

Nova Drift is a phenomenal feat of creativity and skill, and is a thoroughly enjoyable and re-playable game that can be a relaxing casual with a simple and effective build, or you can turn it up to 11 in a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants, nail-biting, running-backwards-blindfolded-while-smoking-in-the-fireworks-factory, click-first-blink-later mayhem festival. Recommended by 100% of the world's zero gravity interstellar combat violinists who, in their official statement, declared Nova Drift to be both 'Historically accurate' and 'Extremely groovy.'

Give it a shot; you'll see.