Night Call

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 193 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • atmosphere
Night Call Game Cover
This one’s pretty niche. If you need action and accomplishment, give it a pass. If you like atmosphere, dialogue trees, and sometimes running into cats that tip well, you will enjoy.
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In "Night Call," you play as a taxi driver who becomes entangled in a series of murder investigations. With over 85 original characters and three distinct cases, players must balance the need for information with their own survival. The game features a noire art style and allows players to freely roam the streets between cases. Choose your conversations and actions wisely to solve the mysteries and uncover the identity of the killers.

Play Modes

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 193 reviews
story32 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features a deeply immersive atmosphere, capturing the noir style and the essence of Parisian nightlife beautifully.
  • The writing is exceptional, with well-developed characters and engaging stories that evoke a range of emotions.
  • The soundtrack enhances the experience, providing a fitting backdrop to the narrative and gameplay.
  • The detective mechanics are underwhelming, with a lack of meaningful interaction and repetitive gameplay across different cases.
  • The game suffers from bugs and performance issues, which can disrupt the experience and lead to frustration.
  • Many dialogues and scenarios feel repetitive, diminishing the impact of the narrative and making subsequent playthroughs less engaging.
  • story107 mentions

    The game's story is a central focus, featuring a rich tapestry of unique character narratives that players can explore through dialogue choices, creating a sense of connection with the passengers. However, many reviewers noted that while the individual character stories are engaging, the overarching plot can feel repetitive and lacks significant variation across different cases, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its depth and atmosphere, but some players expressed disappointment with the lack of meaningful progression and the political undertones present in the narrative.

    • “It is one of the few games that made me want to get to know more about its characters since each of them has such a unique and different story.”
    • “The distant dread of the looming deadline, the slow buildup to the climax, the bitingly lifelike descriptions of the characters and atmospheres, the occasional stint of chaos and the subversively unceremonious bleeding out of the main character's sad backstory nearly juxtaposed to the confessions of his clients - it's just a rock solid good story that will make you feel things if you have anything approaching a soul.”
    • “The different storylines for the characters are extremely well written and you can get lost in their stories as most of them feel true to real life.”
    • “I've just spent a couple of hours flipping through woke dialogue and preaching with no actual interaction or control of the dialogue or story.”
    • “However, the game has a weird tonal shift at times, going from a sob story about a boy trying to pray for his divorced mom, to guys dressed like super sentai members, to driving a literal cat.”
    • “To me, talking to the customers got repetitive and tedious pretty fast as many of the stories felt too banal and inconsequential, having no effect on the overarching plot at all.”
  • gameplay41 mentions

    The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique concept and atmospheric graphics while others criticize its execution and repetitive mechanics. The detective elements are often described as lacking depth, and the integration of taxi simulation with investigative gameplay feels awkward at times. Overall, while the game offers engaging stories and a beautiful setting, many players find the mechanics simplistic and the experience can become stale.

    • “A unique, beautiful, and incredibly clever way of exploring contemporary Paris --of feeling the vibe and anxieties of the city, of discovering its countless stories-- wrapped up in atmospheric graphics and intriguing detective gameplay.”
    • “I really enjoyed the gameplay, and felt that there were enough passengers/stories to keep me solidly engaged and entertained throughout the main story.”
    • “The art direction is great, and the gameplay is easy to pick up.”
    • “The game lacks proper detective mechanics; there's just a board with clues you can't interact with.”
    • “The graphics are low quality, cut-scenes look extremely ugly and the gameplay is very repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay can get stale too towards the end of your total playthrough because you will have to re-read a lot of the same content over and over, and the repetition can get quite boring.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and authentic depiction of contemporary Paris, blending stylish graphics, evocative music, and rich character interactions to create a captivating noir experience. Players appreciate the thick, engaging ambiance that enhances the storytelling and detective gameplay, making it a standout feature despite some minor criticisms regarding animation and pacing. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both dark and soothing, effectively transporting players into a unique and atmospheric world.

    • “A unique, beautiful, and incredibly clever way of exploring contemporary Paris --of feeling the vibe and anxieties of the city, of discovering its countless stories-- wrapped up in atmospheric graphics and intriguing detective gameplay.”
    • “The distant dread of the looming deadline, the slow buildup to the climax, the bitingly lifelike descriptions of the characters and atmospheres, the occasional stint of chaos and the subversively unceremonious bleeding out of the main character's sad backstory nearly juxtaposed to the confessions of his clients - it's just a rock solid good story that will make you feel things if you have anything approaching a soul.”
    • “This game brings life to a pretty underrated genre, the genre of dark but somehow light atmospheres and moods with the environment being calm and relaxing but also mysterious enough to keep you going as you feel yourself drift away in the intoxicating nightlife and the droplets crashing against the roof of the taxi.”
    • “A game based on text with no voice acting whatsoever, also terrible music that doesn't deliver the atmosphere.”
    • “While not the most detailed, the art is stylish and plays up the noir atmosphere.”
    • “For what I've played, I find the experience to be very immersive and calm, and even if some elements aren't very realistic (like in some dialogues or characters, after all, it's a game) I'm for now very fond of it, an interactive detective noir-genre game, with its anxious and somewhat soothing atmosphere.”
  • graphics28 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and atmospheric art style, particularly the noir aesthetic that enhances the storytelling and immersion in contemporary Paris. However, some users noted inconsistencies in visual quality, with certain animations feeling repetitive and cut-scenes lacking polish. Overall, while the art style is a highlight, opinions vary on how well it complements the gameplay and narrative experience.

    • “A unique, beautiful, and incredibly clever way of exploring contemporary Paris -- of feeling the vibe and anxieties of the city, of discovering its countless stories -- wrapped up in atmospheric graphics and intriguing detective gameplay.”
    • “The graphics, my god (yes I'll be hyping this game up a lot because it deserves it) it's beautiful hand-drawn and just... so lifelike in the way you feel that you're always there with the main character, with the passengers, and even the city of Paris itself.”
    • “- beautiful, immersive art style”
    • “I know it's a small indie studio, but most of the visuals don't match the narration, and it's throwing me off. Plus, the game ends so abruptly that I thought it was a bug.”
    • “The graphics are low quality, cut-scenes look extremely ugly, and the gameplay is very repetitive.”
    • “As much as I like the premise, music, atmosphere, and art style of this game, I just didn't get much out of it.”
  • music25 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and storytelling, with many reviewers highlighting its beautiful, noir-inspired compositions that perfectly complement the visual style. Players appreciate how the soundtrack sets the mood, providing both a calming backdrop and an intense experience during key moments. However, some users noted issues with audio integration and a lack of voice acting, which detracted from the overall experience for a few.

    • “The music was also really great and provided a nice chill atmosphere during our night drive, and got intense during the more dangerous moments.”
    • “Beautiful music and storytelling, a very well-developed mystery game that gives you a good challenge in completing your mission.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound design (oh god don't get me started on this) is beautiful, rich, tells a story within itself, is relaxing, and is everything.”
    • “A game based on text with no voice acting whatsoever, also terrible music that doesn't deliver the atmosphere.”
    • “- music plays randomly during certain scenes even though all audio is set to 0%.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound design (oh god don't get me started on this) it's beautiful, it's rich, it tells a story within itself, it's relaxing and it's god damn everything.”
  • emotional14 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting its well-crafted, touching stories that evoke a range of feelings, from joy to sadness. The diverse and interesting characters, combined with a noir aesthetic and impactful music, create a deeply immersive experience that often leads to heartfelt interactions and reflections on life. Many players report being moved to tears, highlighting the game's ability to connect players emotionally through its narrative and dialogue.

    • “Not to sound sappy, but the stories are really well-done and touching too.”
    • “At times a beautifully gentle affair, at other times a harsh and emotional rollercoaster.”
    • “Night Call is a touching game, full of poetry about common people, which will set you in a particular mood.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of clever parodies, wacky scenarios, and dark undertones, resulting in a varied comedic experience that can evoke both laughter and tension. The dialogues are well-crafted, addressing modern topics with a blend of charm and heart, making them memorable and engaging. Overall, players find the humor to be a significant and addictive aspect of the game, though opinions on its effectiveness vary.

    • “Some of the characters in this are direct parodies of pundits and politicians that actually made me laugh out loud.”
    • “Some of the stories are humorous, some are completely wacky, some are quite dark - you never quite know what you're going to get.”
    • “The topics that are discussed in the game are modern, the people talk of relevant things, and the dialogues overall are funny, sad, and written with heart.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with many players noting that it primarily offers new dialogue interactions rather than substantial new content. While some completionists may find value in achievement hunting, the general consensus is that once the main storylines are completed, there is little incentive to replay the game. For those seeking a more engaging detective experience with higher replay value, alternatives like "Shadows of Doubt" are recommended.

    • “If you're looking for a really interesting detective game with some more replayability, try Shadows of Doubt instead.”
    • “To me, this greatly limits its replayability because I feel like I'm not really learning anything new about the characters besides getting a chance to take on different customers I didn't do last time (if RNG lets me and doesn't stick me with the same people!).”
    • “If you're wanting this game for replay value beyond new dialogue interactions, then I can't recommend this for you.”
    • “I enjoyed it quite a bit, though it doesn't offer much replay value once you have played through the three storylines.”
    • “Unfortunately, I think Night Call has little replayability. I can see myself playing free roam mode for a while to feel like I've grasped everyone's stories, but then being done with it.”
  • stability7 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for numerous bugs and glitches, including repetitive passenger dialogues, UI issues, and frequent crashes. Players have reported game freezes, particularly after encountering new leads, which significantly detracts from the overall experience. Despite the game's appealing concept, many users express disappointment with its ongoing stability issues since its earlier release.

    • “The only real problem I have with the game is that passengers are sometimes buggy and are either repeating the conversations I had with them on the third ride or they act like I already drove them once or twice.”
    • “I like the concept of this game, but as someone who played the game back in 2020 and again now in 2023, I'm disappointed by how buggy it still is.”
    • “Just know that there are many glitches and bugs that take away from the overall experience.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players reporting severe performance problems that can even risk hardware damage, alongside numerous bugs and a lackluster experience overall.

    • “This game is so poorly optimized that it almost fried my GPU on the screen where you're introduced to your apartment mechanics.”
    • “Before I say anything further, the game needs to be optimized.”
    • “Repetitive, boring, terrible murder mystery plot, player choices that don't matter, and bugs and performance issues aplenty.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, particularly criticizing the mundane customer interactions and the lack of meaningful impact from the murder mysteries on the overall plot. The repetitive cut scenes and dialogue further contribute to the sense of monotony.

    • “To me, talking to the customers got repetitive and tedious pretty fast, as many of the stories felt too banal and inconsequential, having no effect on the overarching plot at all.”
    • “The murder mysteries are somewhat tedious and without a doubt the least engaging part of this game.”
    • “Sitting through the same opening cutscenes and dialogue is tedious.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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Play time

3hMedian play time
3hAverage play time
3-5hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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