Ark Noir
- July 12, 2018
- Amamori Lab
Get on Steam"Ark Noir" is a 2.5D sidescrolling shooter game set in a dystopian future where a deadly epidemic has ravaged the world. Players control a group of survivors on a modified submarine, battling against mutated creatures and hostile human factions while trying to find a cure for the epidemic. With a focus on exploration, action-packed combat, and survival gameplay mechanics, players must manage their resources and upgrade their submarine as they progress through the game.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique blend of visual novel storytelling and roguelite gameplay, providing engaging characters and multiple endings.
- Resource management is a key aspect of the gameplay, requiring players to make strategic decisions that enhance replayability.
- The music and atmosphere are well-received, contributing to an immersive experience despite the game's linear nature.
- The game is heavily reliant on RNG, which can lead to frustrating experiences where players feel their success is out of their control.
- The linear gameplay and repetitive mechanics may not appeal to everyone, as it lacks exploration and can feel monotonous over time.
- The dialogue and character interactions can be poorly written or unrealistic, detracting from the overall narrative experience.
- story22 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of mystery and engaging character arcs, though some players feel it lacks depth for a visual novel. While the plot is intriguing and offers multiple perspectives, it is marred by odd character choices and inconsistent dialogue quality. Overall, the narrative is enjoyable and complements the roguelite gameplay, but it may not satisfy those seeking a more robust storyline.
“The characters and setting are way more immersive than I was really prepared for in a translated game from the Japanese indie scene, and a lot of what you see in the story changes based on your perspective character.”
“As you rescue passengers and progress, you unlock archive entries telling different parts of the story, and helping to flesh out the background.”
“This game is an incredible mix of visual novel storytelling with roguelite gameplay elements.”
“Regardless of character, the storyline is mostly the same.”
“Totally random clicker with very little story content and very long unskippable transitions.”
“But the story, ohh the dialogues are bad.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 89 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Ark Noir is characterized by its linear progression through a horror-themed environment, blending elements of dungeon crawling and visual novel storytelling. While it features challenging mechanics and a reliance on resource management and RNG, players can find replayability through multiple characters and unlockable perks. However, some reviewers noted that the gameplay can feel simplistic and luck-dependent, with a desire for more depth in combat mechanics.
“Ark Noir is a short, bite-sized game that could be called a dungeon crawler with plot, or a visual novel with gameplay elements.”
“The gameplay is simple and intuitive, but also very challenging.”
“This game is an incredible mix of visual novel storytelling with roguelite gameplay elements.”
“The simplest way to explain the gameplay is it's a world of horror, but completely linear.”
“The gameplay is a bit luck-dependent (you can get screwed if the game throws too many enemies and not enough items at you).”
“The gameplay is very basic; just keep clicking forward to move through the ship, battling monsters and interacting with other passengers.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability due to its three playable characters, multiple endings, and various perks that change gameplay dynamics. While some players feel that replay value diminishes after several runs, many appreciate the unique experiences each playthrough provides, making it worthwhile to explore different character choices and endings. Overall, the combination of diverse storylines and gameplay conditions contributes to a solid replayability factor.
“There's lots of replay value with three characters and multiple endings.”
“Each run feels a bit different from the last and adds a lot of replay value.”
“The stories and possible endings are a bit different depending on which character you choose, and there are a lot of conditions for opening up different perks and perk slots, so the replayability aspect is pretty solid for such an inexpensive game.”
“There's lots of replay value with three characters and multiple endings.”
“Each run feels a bit different from the last and adds a lot of replay value.”
“The stories and possible endings are a bit different depending on which character you choose, and there are a lot of conditions for opening up different perks and perk slots, so the replayability aspect is pretty solid for such an inexpensive game.”
- music4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the immersive atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the catchy tunes and clever design, suggesting that the soundtrack is a standout feature that elevates the gameplay.
“The music is nice, the story is interesting; this game is not an unpleasant experiment that I would love to see a more expanded version of someday.”
“The music and atmosphere are a big plus.”
“While this is technically a game about walking in a straight line until things happen to you, it is immersive, atmospheric, cleverly designed, and has a bumpin' soundtrack.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are considered passable, with only basic settings available, such as 1080p resolution and volume sliders. Overall, the visual presentation does not stand out and lacks notable quality.
“There are the usual basic graphic settings, like 1080p and volume sliders, but the graphics as a whole are simply passable.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its immersive design and engaging soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience despite its straightforward gameplay.
“The music and atmosphere are a big plus.”
“While this is technically a game about walking in a straight line until things happen to you, it is immersive, atmospheric, cleverly designed, and has a bumpin' soundtrack.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has been criticized for relying on clichéd character designs, which detracts from the depth and uniqueness of the characters. This lack of originality may hinder players' emotional connection to the characters and their journeys.
“Cliché character designs.”
“The characters lack depth and feel one-dimensional.”
“There is little to no growth or change in the characters throughout the game.”
