Skip to main content

Night Call

Technical and pacing issues aside, the writing of Night Call is what makes it such a fascinating and, at times, enthralling game. Sit back with a cup of coffee and become an unofficial therapist for a few hours with this dark descent into Paris.
Night Call Game Cover
73%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
replayability, stability
73% User Score Based on 451 reviews
Critic Score 73%Based on 2 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5Playstation 4XboxiPhoneWindowsPlayStationXbox Series X|SPCTabletMac OSPhoneXbox OneiPadMobile Platform
Night Call Game Cover

About

Night Call is a single player simulation game with mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Monkey Moon and was released on July 17, 2019. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

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.

Skip User Reviews

73%
Audience ScoreBased on 451 reviews
story79 positive mentions
replayability5 negative mentions

  • Engaging and well-written character stories that feel genuine and relatable.
  • Atmospheric noir style with beautiful visuals and a fitting soundtrack.
  • Unique gameplay that combines taxi driving with detective work, allowing for interesting interactions.
  • Repetitive gameplay with similar storylines across different cases, leading to a lack of variety.
  • Detective mechanics are underdeveloped, with clues being automatically linked to suspects without player input.
  • Bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay and lead to frustration.
  • story
    258 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is characterized by its rich character interactions and immersive atmosphere, allowing players to engage with a variety of unique passenger narratives while navigating a central mystery involving a serial killer. However, many reviewers noted that the overarching plot feels repetitive across different cases, lacking a cohesive thread that ties the experiences together, which can detract from the overall engagement. Despite these criticisms, the writing is praised for its depth and emotional resonance, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.

    • “Every passenger brings a unique story, and thanks to the excellent writing, they feel real and memorable.”
    • “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 story, the characters, everything oozes with depth.”
    • “It gets repetitive because there isn't a plot thread that unifies the cases.”
    • “However, I did not enjoy reading the same story three different times.”
    • “The overarching story of finding the serial killer who attacked you during one of your rides isn't very interesting.”
  • gameplay
    110 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is primarily dialogue-driven and simplistic, focusing on picking up passengers and engaging in conversations, which some players find engaging despite its repetitive nature. While the noir atmosphere and writing are praised, many reviewers express disappointment in the weak detective mechanics and lack of interactivity, leading to a gameplay experience that feels underdeveloped and often tedious. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate narrative-driven experiences rather than complex gameplay.

    • “The atmosphere is good and the gameplay, although repetitive, is fitting to the genre.”
    • “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 world-building, story, characters, writing, music, and even the mechanics of the gameplay itself are all thoroughly enjoyable.”
    • “The fact that the detective gameplay is so weak is really disappointing, because the visual novel aspects are otherwise very strong.”
    • “The gameplay consists of clicking through endless lines of dialogue one sentence at a time, and occasionally clicking on hotspots on a map to get taxi rides.”
    • “The writing is great and the atmosphere is well done, but the actual gameplay is very lacking and the mystery-solving process felt like it was beyond my control.”
  • atmosphere
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive noir aesthetic, combining stylish visuals, evocative music, and well-crafted character interactions that create a sense of mystery and melancholy. Many players appreciate the cozy yet dark ambiance, which enhances the storytelling experience, although some note that the gameplay may not fully match the atmospheric depth. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, making it a compelling choice for fans of narrative-driven and atmospheric games.

    • “The atmosphere is good and the gameplay, although repetitive, is fitting to the genre.”
    • “They create an atmosphere of mystery, comfort, and a hint of melancholy.”
    • “The atmosphere in the game is just excellent; we communicate with our passengers in a very different manner, and this is attractive.”
    • “If you are not drawn to Night Call's aesthetic and especially if you don't enjoy immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a slow-paced narrative, don't buy the game.”
    • “In summary, this is a nice visual novel, with few interesting stories/interaction, which is ruined by a monotonous atmosphere and slow pace.”
    • “The game attempts to create a very specific atmosphere; it is not about how it is to be a taxi driver in Paris, but the stories of people you get in touch with. However, if you are over 25, this will be quite boring for you.”
  • graphics
    63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful black-and-white noir art style, which effectively enhances the atmospheric storytelling and immersive experience. While many reviewers appreciate the unique aesthetic and minimalistic design, some note that certain animations can feel repetitive and that the overall visual quality may not match the depth of the narrative. Despite minor glitches and low-quality cut-scenes, the art direction is considered a standout feature that complements the game's themes and character-driven storytelling.

    • “Images of Paris flicker by in a gorgeous black-and-white noir art style, but it’s isolating in a way as you exist only in your taxi; it’s an effective piece of storytelling.”
    • “The art style is beautiful, and I like games that take place in countries other than my own.”
    • “A fabulous hand-drawn art style presented in black & white gives the title its suspense-filled noir vibe.”
    • “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.”
    • “It's a real shame because the aesthetic of this game is really well-done, and the concept is interesting.”
  • music
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the noir atmosphere, with a soundtrack that is both evocative and immersive, perfectly complementing the storytelling and character interactions. Reviewers highlight its dynamic nature, shifting from chill ambient tones to more intense melodies that align with the game's emotional beats. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's ambiance and player experience.

    • “Complementing all of this is a stellar soundtrack that can evoke the feelings the passengers have when they are relaying their stories to you and some intensity when it’s called for.”
    • “The noir aesthetic really shines while the soundtrack keeps it fresh as it does not default to the generic jazzy tone, the mellow synths range from depressing to hopeful at the right times and inject a masterful tension when it's called for.”
    • “The soundtrack and sound design (oh god don't get me started on this) is beautiful, it's rich, it tells a story within itself, it's relaxing and it's everything.”
    • “A game based on text with no voice acting whatsoever, also terrible music that doesn't deliver the atmosphere.”
    • “The music didn't make a big impression on me in a bad way, but it didn't make one in a really good one either.”
    • “Music plays randomly during certain scenes even though all audio is set to 0%.”
  • emotional
    26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with players highlighting the brilliant and engaging dialogues that evoke a range of feelings, from humor to deep sadness. Many reviewers noted that the stories of the passengers are touching and immersive, often addressing complex themes such as love, identity, and societal issues, which contribute to a profound emotional experience. While some found the gameplay mechanics detracted from their investment, the heartfelt interactions and diverse narratives left a lasting impact, making it a memorable and absorbing journey.

    • “Dialogues are brilliant - vivid, emotional, and incredibly engaging.”
    • “Not to sound sappy, but the stories are really well-done and touching too.”
    • “The chats you have with your passengers are the meat of the game - the stories range from heartwarming to comical, to nitty gritty human problems.”
  • replayability
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's replayability is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting that once the main storylines are completed, there is little incentive to replay them due to a lack of new content or meaningful variations. While some players appreciate the different scenarios and the potential for completionist play, the general consensus is that the game offers limited replay value, often feeling repetitive after the initial playthroughs. A few users mention that the free roam mode provides some additional engagement, but it does not significantly enhance the overall replayability experience.

    • “Because of there being 3 killer scenarios, the game has lots of replay value.”
    • “The interactivity, masterful storytelling, replayability, and atmosphere elevate it a great deal!”
    • “However, it does mean the replayability is high, and with two more campaigns to try, as well as varying difficulty modes, I feel like I have a lot more time to spend with this masterpiece.”
    • “If you're wanting this game for replay value beyond new dialogue interactions, then I can't recommend this for you.”
    • “Now a few things I feel should be mentioned: firstly and most importantly, I finished the Angel of Death case on normal difficulty in just under five hours, and Night Call has the replay value of a water balloon, which is to say it's almost non-existent.”
    • “The only negative I really have for this game is that it has almost no replay value after the third run, and each run will only take about an hour or so depending on how into the story you get.”
  • humor
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is diverse, ranging from uplifting and quirky interactions to dark and thought-provoking dialogues that explore philosophical and political themes. Players appreciate the well-written characters, with some serving as parodies of real-life figures, leading to memorable and often hilarious conversations. Overall, the blend of humor, emotional depth, and unexpected twists keeps players engaged and entertained throughout their experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Solving the serial killer cases may not be the ones that you'll remember after finishing this game, but no doubt the main star of the game is the human interactions that you'll have with the different passengers in Paris during the night, your conversations with them that can range from being funny, weird or just downright heartfelt.”
  • stability
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that detract from the overall experience. Common problems include unresponsive UI, repeated conversations with passengers, and game freezes that require restarts. Despite some appealing graphics and concepts, the persistent technical issues have left many players disappointed, especially those returning after previous versions.

    • “The game is very, very buggy, which I accepted for the first case, but with the other issues I mentioned, it's enough to make me not want to bother with the other two cases.”
    • “Just know that there are many glitches and bugs that take away from the overall experience.”
    • “The user interface can be buggy at times, refusing any input except exiting to a main menu, which happened several times to me.”
  • grinding
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be repetitive and tedious, particularly due to the lack of meaningful variation in customer interactions and the murder mysteries. Many reviews highlight that the repetitive dialogue and predictable storylines detract from the overall experience, making certain tasks feel like a chore rather than engaging gameplay. Despite some promising ideas, the repetitiveness ultimately leads to a less enjoyable experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Yet regardless of how interesting these characters are, having the exact same conversation with them three times proves tedious.”
  • optimization
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is severely lacking, with reports of it nearly overheating GPUs during initial gameplay and consuming excessive system resources compared to better-optimized titles like The Sims 4. Players have noted that the poor technical performance detracts from the overall experience, overshadowing the intriguing concept with numerous bugs and issues.

    • “For comparison, the notoriously well-optimized Sims 4 uses about 45% of system resources.”
    • “The game needs to be optimized.”
    • “This game is so poorly optimized that it almost fried my GPU on the screen where you're introduced to your apartment mechanics.”
    • “This is the case when an incredibly interesting concept has such a strong weight that at some point it even crushed the technical performance.”
    • “Repetitive, boring, terrible murder mystery plot, player choices that don't matter, and bugs and performance issues aplenty.”
  • character development
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game features strong character development, particularly in its richly crafted world of nighttime Paris, with well-paced interactions and multiple engaging subplots. However, some players feel that while the dialogue is well-written, it can be repetitive and lacks depth in character growth, particularly for the main characters. Overall, the character development is seen as a mix of elegance and missed opportunities.

    • “The world building is phenomenal with its naturally paced and elegant character development and interplay between character subplots—not to mention just how many interesting subplots this game weaves.”
    • “Nice character development on the citizen fare of nighttime Paris.”
    • “This game has some well-written dialogue, but it feels like the character design pushed the game to be made, and I can't help but feel that the game is trying to push discussion points just to seem poignant.”
    • “Busset's dialogue is the same in every case except for a little variation in the first one, and there is almost no character development at all, with both her and the protagonist.”
Skip Critic Reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Night Call

3h Median play time
3h Average play time
3-4h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Night Call

Games Like Night Call

Neo Cab Image
Blacksad: Under the Skin Image
A Case of Distrust Image
Song of Farca Image
Tokyo Dark Image
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Night Call is a simulation game with mystery and thriller themes.

Night Call is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, iPhone and others.

On average players spend around 3 hours playing Night Call.

Night Call was released on July 17, 2019.

Night Call was developed by Monkey Moon.

Night Call has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its replayability.

Night Call is a single player game.

Similar games include Neo Cab, Blacksad: Under the Skin, A Case of Distrust, Song of Farca, Tokyo Dark and others.