Night Call

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 403 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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 403 reviews
story67 positive mentions
replayability3 negative mentions
  • The game features deeply immersive storytelling with well-written characters and engaging narratives that explore contemporary Parisian life.
  • The art style and soundtrack create a captivating noir atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
  • The free-roam mode allows players to interact with a variety of passengers, providing a rich exploration of their stories and backgrounds.
  • The detective mechanics are underwhelming, with a lack of meaningful choices and repetitive gameplay that can lead to a sense of monotony.
  • Many players experienced bugs and performance issues, which detracted from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • The game often feels more like a visual novel than a traditional detective game, which may not appeal to those looking for more interactive gameplay.
  • story219 mentions

    The story in "Night Call" is characterized by its rich character development and engaging narratives, allowing players to explore the unique backstories of various passengers while navigating a murder mystery in Paris. However, many reviewers noted that the overarching plot feels repetitive across different cases, with similar dialogue and structure, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's well-written dialogue and atmospheric storytelling have resonated with players who appreciate narrative-driven gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “Night Call is a noir story game where you drive a taxi in Paris, manage your fuel and money, choose your customers, chat with them or be the sympathetic listener they need and learn some of their stories and, all the while, you must gather information on a serial killer plaguing the city.”
    • “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, my motivation to finish the game died when I realized the story starts and ends the same way as the first one; it was a disappointment.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay88 mentions

    The gameplay is a mix of intriguing concepts and poorly executed mechanics, leading to a repetitive experience that often feels janky and underdeveloped. While the taxi simulation and detective elements offer some engaging moments, they are hampered by a lack of interactivity and optimization issues. Overall, the game presents a unique atmosphere and storytelling potential, but suffers from repetitive gameplay and a lack of depth in its mechanics.

    • “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.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game becomes repetitive after the first case due to duplicated dialog and a lack of gameplay evolution.”
    • “The graphics are low quality, cut-scenes look extremely ugly and the gameplay is very repetitive.”
  • atmosphere71 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and authentic depiction of contemporary Paris, effectively capturing the city's vibe and anxieties through stylish graphics, engaging music, and well-crafted character interactions. Players appreciate the thick, noir ambiance that enhances the storytelling, making it a captivating experience for those who enjoy atmospheric games. Despite some critiques regarding certain gameplay elements, the overall atmosphere remains a standout feature that draws players into its unique 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.”
    • “Main character is extremely likeable and alive, the atmosphere is thick and tasty (visual style, music, and the descriptions at points are reaching the highest levels I've ever experienced).”
    • “For what I've played, I find the experience to be very immersive and calm, and even if some elements aren't very realistic, I'm very fond of it, an interactive detective noir-genre game, with its anxious and somewhat soothing atmosphere.”
    • “A game based on text with no voice acting whatsoever, also terrible music that doesn't deliver the 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.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics59 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful hand-drawn art style and atmospheric noir aesthetic, effectively capturing the essence of contemporary Paris. However, some users noted inconsistencies between the visuals and the narration, as well as low-quality cut-scenes that detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the immersive art style and engaging character designs contribute significantly to the game's charm and appeal.

    • “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 that 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”
    • “The graphics are low quality, cut-scenes look extremely ugly and the gameplay is very repetitive.”
    • “I know it's a small indie studio but most of the visuals don't match the narration and it's throwing me off, and plus the game ends so abruptly that I thought it was a bug.”
    • “As much as I like the premise, music, atmosphere, and art style of this game, I just didn't get much out of it.”
  • music50 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, rich, and emotionally resonant qualities that complement the noir themes. Players appreciate how the soundtrack sets the mood, providing both a calming backdrop and an intense experience during key moments. However, there are some criticisms regarding the integration of music in certain scenes, with a few users noting issues with audio settings.

    • “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 everything.”
    • “The black and white depictions of a cold rainy Paris are gorgeous, and the music is fantastic.”
    • “Beautiful music and storytelling, a very well-developed mystery game that gives you a good challenge in completing your mission.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional28 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players noting that the well-crafted stories and character interactions evoke deep feelings, ranging from touching moments to intense emotional experiences. The noir themes, combined with a diverse cast of characters, create a rich narrative that can lead to both gentle reflections and emotional rollercoasters, making it a memorable and impactful experience. Many players report being moved to tears, highlighting the game's ability to foster a strong emotional connection through its dialogue and storytelling.

    • “I was fairly emotional during some of the moments in the game, and felt sucked in by certain passengers.”
    • “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.”
  • humor19 mentions

    The game's humor is a mix of clever parodies of real-life figures, wacky narratives, and dark undertones, resulting in a varied comedic experience that can evoke both laughter and tension. Players appreciate the well-written dialogues that tackle modern topics with a blend of charm and heart, making the characters and interactions memorable. Overall, the humor is described as surprising and atmospheric, contributing to the game's addictive nature.

    • “Some of the characters in this are direct parodies of pundits and politicians that actually made me laugh out loud.”
    • “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.”
    • “A highly addictive game with simple mechanics and both funny and dark interactions.”
  • replayability17 mentions

    Overall, the game has limited replayability, primarily offering new dialogue interactions rather than substantial gameplay changes. While completionists may find some value in achievement hunting, most players feel that once the three storylines are completed, there is little incentive to replay. For those seeking a more engaging detective experience with higher replay value, alternatives like "Shadows of Doubt" are recommended.

    • “[Fun investigation system, well-written story, replayability].”
    • “If you're looking for a really interesting detective game with some more replayability, try Shadows of Doubt instead.”
    • “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.”
  • stability16 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with players reporting numerous glitches, UI problems, and crashes that disrupt gameplay. Many have noted that passengers behave erratically, repeating conversations or acting as if they have been encountered multiple times, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite the game's appealing concept, the persistent bugs and freezing issues in version 1.0.1 have left players disappointed.

    • “Just know that there are many glitches and bugs that take away from the overall experience.”
    • “The UI often glitches, the game crashed twice, and the audio bugged a couple of times.”
    • “Game constantly freezes after I encounter a new lead and ends up forcing me to restart the game halfway into a shift.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The game suffers from significant optimization issues, with players reporting severe performance problems and bugs that detract from the experience. Some users have even experienced hardware concerns, such as overheating GPUs during gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires urgent optimization improvements.

    • “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.”
  • grinding6 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 stories. The murder mysteries are also noted as the least engaging part, with players expressing frustration over the repetitive cut scenes and dialogue.

    • “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 cut scenes and dialog 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 8 analyzed playthroughs

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