Night Reverie
- March 19, 2021
- Somber Pixel
Somber Pixel’s Night Reverie is an adventure game that disguises a much deeper and bigger story underneath. It will hook you with simplicity and nail your emotions to the wall without apology. Definitely, an indie to consider when looking for a fresh take on gaming.
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreNight Reverie is a 2D pixel art game that follows a young girl, Lilia, searching for her lost friend in a mysterious and ever-changing world. Uncover the secrets of this eerie land by solving puzzles, battling creatures, and befriending other spectral wanderers. Your choices will determine Lilia's fate and the ultimate outcome of her Night Reverie.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The pixel art style and music create a beautiful, ethereal atmosphere that enhances the emotional experience of the game.
- The story is touching and unexpected, leading to a powerful emotional impact that resonates with players.
- The puzzles are simple yet enjoyable, making the game accessible while still providing a satisfying adventure experience.
- The dialogue can feel repetitive and lacks depth, which may detract from the overall narrative experience.
- Some players found the puzzles to be overly simplistic, potentially making the game feel less challenging.
- The emotional weight of the ending may feel disproportionate to the lighter tone of the earlier gameplay, leaving some players feeling unsettled.
- story223 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is a blend of cute and emotional elements, featuring a whimsical adventure that explores themes of childhood trauma and mental health. While many players appreciated the heartfelt narrative and its ability to evoke strong emotions, some criticized the pacing and predictability of the plot, particularly noting that the story takes time to develop before delivering impactful moments. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy story-driven experiences, though it may not satisfy players seeking a complex or richly layered narrative.
“This was a beautiful game with a moving story.”
“The story was beautiful and has a lot of heart in it; do me a favor, take a break from all the PvP games, take a break from all the survival games, and put just a couple of hours to yourself to play this masterpiece.”
“Night Reverie is a heart-filling story, covered by beautiful art and sound with simple puzzles that let you explore the world and its characters.”
“For the first 90% of the game, there really isn't any story and the dialogue dragged on a bit.”
“The plot twist is also predictable if you've played a fair amount of indie story-rich games, while the side characters don't leave much of an impression.”
“I don't think the game justified such a big argument at the end; it's a simple story with a tragic end, and I think it needed a more subtle conclusion.”
- music98 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful composition and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere, contributing significantly to the dreamy and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, noting its soothing qualities and seamless transitions that align with the narrative progression. Overall, the combination of captivating music and stunning pixel art creates a memorable and engaging environment for players.
“The visuals are stunning, the music contributes immensely to the dreamy atmosphere and the story is so very beautiful.”
“The art is simply gorgeous and is accompanied by one of the most amazing soundtracks I have experienced.”
“The music will give you this night-dreamy-fantasy mood that goes really well with the overall setting and experience of the game.”
“Where some games try to convolute the player into a deep diving overcomplex lore, Night Reverie keeps it simple and effective. The story and the calm ambient music are its strongest points, I'll say, and the ending got me cold.”
“I can't get into details because of the spoilers, but what I am trying to say is that if the character has those heavy feelings of regret and they have all of that internal struggle, I should have seen that gradually develop in terms of the level design (that said, I noticed a gradual change in the soundtrack).”
“Finally, the music also captures all these previous elements from the logical aspect of the gameplay, the personality of the story, and the atmosphere of the art.”
- emotional82 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with many players noting that it elicited strong feelings, often leading to tears. Reviewers describe it as a touching and heartfelt journey, featuring a well-crafted narrative and character development that culminates in an impactful and bittersweet ending. Overall, the game is recommended for those seeking a wholesome yet emotionally resonant experience.
“It was a beautiful and emotional journey.”
“The journey was an emotional rollercoaster and I genuinely feel attached to these characters.”
“What I did not expect was the emotional impact this game would have on me.”
- graphics56 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, vibrant colors, and beautiful lighting effects, creating an immersive and enchanting atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the combination of cute visuals and a captivating soundtrack, which together enhance the overall experience and emotional depth of the game. Many consider the art style to be a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal and storytelling.
“The art style is really beautiful in my opinion, the pixel graphics are super cute and there are tons of glowy effects that really add to the atmosphere.”
“The visuals are stunning, the music contributes immensely to the dreamy atmosphere and the story is so very beautiful.”
“Apart from that, this game boasts amazing pixel art graphics (the lighting is especially beautiful), and an amazing soundtrack that fits perfectly with the mood of the whole game, smoothly transitioning to the next track when you advance through the story.”
“Came because of cute graphics, came out crying wtf...”
“I found myself trying to get through most of the conversations as fast as humanly possible... the puzzles were okay, and I had fun for the brief moments they took for me to figure out... but the pixel art style, the neon pinks and blues, and the clunky little animations were all pretty charming, and probably the main reason you would want to play this game - the pixel gallery if you will!”
“Man, the simplicity and cute art style of this game did not prepare for the reveal at the end.”
- gameplay46 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of simple and occasionally tricky puzzles, appealing primarily to a younger audience, though it remains enjoyable for adults seeking a story-driven experience. While some players find the mechanics and puzzles somewhat shallow and disconnected, others appreciate the charming pixel art, engaging narrative, and the overall immersive atmosphere. The game is recommended for those who prefer a light, narrative-focused adventure without the need for complex gameplay skills.
“Amazing story, gorgeous pixel art and well done good old point and click gameplay... I'm in love!”
“With cute graphics, beautiful music, creative gameplay, and a great story, this game is an absolute must for those who enjoy story-puzzle games.”
“Night Reverie was an amazing experience with the full package: entertaining gameplay, immersive background music, and beautiful art.”
“To put it simply: this game is too shallow in both narration and gameplay.”
“The puzzles in the game are simplistic to the point that I could say that the game is mainly targeted at children.”
“Any game mechanics and puzzles presented were not tied to a particular character either, so it feels like someone filled the rooms with a few ideas but put no thought behind stringing it all together.”
- atmosphere26 mentions
- 69 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its ethereal and nostalgic qualities, enhanced by stunning pixel art and captivating glowy effects. The beautiful visuals and immersive soundtrack contribute significantly to a dreamy and unique aesthetic, making the overall experience both breathtaking and memorable. Players appreciate how the atmosphere complements the narrative and gameplay, creating a cohesive and enchanting world.
“The visuals are stunning, the music contributes immensely to the dreamy atmosphere and the story is so very beautiful.”
“That's ok though, the game is more about the atmosphere, which is fantastic with its weird, abandoned home setting, and its themes, which are handled in a way that is definitely not subtle but that works for what it's trying to accomplish.”
“The atmosphere and aesthetic in this game is breathtaking, beautiful, and unique!”
“It creates an ethereal and nostalgic atmosphere.”
“The art style is really beautiful in my opinion; the pixel graphics are super cute, and there are tons of glowy effects that really add to the atmosphere.”
- grinding4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be manageable, as the puzzles strike a balance between simplicity and challenge, making the experience enjoyable rather than tedious. However, some users note that additional lives may be necessary to effectively engage in grinding.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely absent, lacking witty jokes or clever references; however, the engaging environment, characterized by vibrant visuals, memorable characters, and amusing dialogues, effectively immerses players in the story.
“The palette of colors, lovely lighting, funny dialogues, unforgettable characters, and enveloping background music and sound effects build an amazing environment that makes you feel totally involved with the story.”
