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NightCry

Any good they might have had are quickly swallowed up by a plethora of issues. The desperate or the gullible may find a glimmer of fun hidden somewhere in the pit.
NightCry Game Cover
56%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
story, stability
64% User Score Based on 181 reviews
Critic Score 20%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

PCWindowsPlayStationPlaystation Vita
NightCry Game Cover

About

NightCry is a single player survival survival game with a horror theme. It was developed by Nude Maker and was released on March 28, 2016. It received negative reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

NightCry is a single-player horror point-and-click game with good music, but it may also make you laugh due to bugs. The game takes place on a luxurious cruise liner, where a murder and the presence of a terrifying being called the Scissor Walker turn a calm cruise into a nightmare. Players explore the ship, search for clues, and interact with objects in an attempt to save themselves and others from the terror.

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64%
Audience ScoreBased on 181 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
story15 negative mentions

  • NightCry successfully captures the nostalgic feel of classic survival horror games like Clock Tower, appealing to fans of the genre.
  • The game features a creepy atmosphere and some genuinely unsettling moments, particularly during chase sequences with the Scissorwalker.
  • The multiple endings and branching storylines provide replay value and encourage exploration.
  • The controls are clunky and unresponsive, making navigation frustrating, especially during chase sequences.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs, awkward animations, and inconsistent voice acting.
  • The story is often vague and poorly explained, leading to confusion about objectives and plot points.
  • story
    115 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of Nightcry features multiple playable characters and branching paths, offering various endings based on player choices, which provides some replay value. However, many players find the narrative confusing, poorly structured, and filled with plot holes, detracting from the overall experience. While some appreciate the atmospheric elements and unique storytelling style, the execution often leaves much to be desired, leading to a mixed reception regarding its depth and coherence.

    • “Nightcry introduces multiple playable characters and offers branching storylines with different endings based on player choices and discoveries.”
    • “The story is decent enough, and there are several endings to obtain through the game's multiple pathways.”
    • “The story follows a number of characters onboard a cruise ship as you try to help them unravel the mystery of the appearance of a murderous entity called the scissor walker who could jump out at you at any time and give chase.”
    • “On paper, this structure provides replay value and variety, but in practice the storytelling is often confusing.”
    • “The story is cliched, messy, and not well-structured, much like this review.”
    • “Very little of the story makes sense, and it plays out through what seems like a random string of unrelated events.”
  • gameplay
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Nightcry is heavily inspired by classic point-and-click horror games like Clock Tower, featuring exploration, item collection, and escape mechanics. However, it suffers from clunky controls, frustrating stamina management, and numerous technical issues, leading to a janky and often unintuitive experience that can detract from the overall enjoyment. While it has nostalgic elements and some unique mechanics, many players find the gameplay to be a significant barrier, making it difficult to recommend.

    • “Everything about this game screams Clock Tower, from the point-and-click gameplay, the run-and-hide mechanics, and even the antagonist known as the Scissorwalker.”
    • “The gameplay consists of exploring enclosed areas and clicking on hard-to-recognize objects to pick them up or trigger events in between intermittent chases by Mr. Scissors.”
    • “Nightcry is interaction-heavy (being a point-and-click) and the core gameplay is separated into two parts: exploration and escape.”
    • “Fair warning, this can be a frustrating game due to the gameplay, and it is not really scary because a lot of things are accidentally comical.”
    • “It's poorly optimized, buggy, janky, lacking content, the narrative is full of loose ends and unexplained elements, the graphics are slightly above what you'd expect from a PS2 game, and the gameplay is a mess.”
    • “Nightcry is tough to recommend because of how janky and unintuitive the gameplay can be.”
  • graphics
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received largely negative feedback, with many reviewers citing outdated visuals reminiscent of PS2-era games, poor animations, and technical issues such as lag and crashes. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and atmospheric elements, the overall consensus is that the graphics are subpar, detracting from the gaming experience. A few users noted that despite the graphical shortcomings, they found enjoyment in the game's atmosphere and story, but these positives are overshadowed by the prevalent technical flaws.

    • “Got a spooky atmosphere and the aesthetics are nice!”
    • “The atmosphere is creepy, the horror and aesthetic are nostalgic and it really just made this old school horror fan happy.”
    • “Early screenshots and trailers had led me to wonder, but the game has a surprising amount of visual polish and I find myself really admiring the aesthetic.”
    • “Technical shortcomings also weigh the game down, with stiff animations, dated visuals, and frequent loading screens that break immersion.”
    • “The graphics are horrible, the animation is hilariously bad and makes people walk like weird zombie monkeys, and the audio doesn't work, and it crashes a lot.”
    • “Extremely outdated graphics, combined with hilariously stupid death scenes, abysmal gameplay that feels like an afterthought, all wrapped around incredible PS1-era voice acting.”
  • stability
    32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, glitches, and control issues that detract from the overall experience. While some users experienced minimal problems and found the game playable, a substantial number described it as poorly optimized and frustratingly janky, often leading to game-breaking situations. Overall, the game's stability is seen as a major drawback, making it difficult for players to fully enjoy the experience without encountering technical issues.

    • “The game is unpolished, but it's actually not all that buggy.”
    • “I experienced very few crashes, which is impressive for a game of this scale.”
    • “The overall performance is smooth, making for a stable gaming experience.”
    • “It's poorly optimized, buggy, janky, lacking content, the narrative is full of loose ends and unexplained elements, the graphics are slightly above what you'd expect from a PS2 game and the gameplay is a mess.”
    • “Otherwise I advise you to buy this game when it goes on sale or don't buy the game at all because you'll be buying a game that's a bit buggy and can't be played unless you're patient enough to sit through the same scenes over and over again until you finally do get past a game-breaking bug or the game decides to work right.”
    • “The unpolished vibe that surrounds this game, along with the horrendous glitches, all thoroughly ruin the horror and tension that a true Clock Tower successor needs.”
  • music
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising its atmospheric and tension-building qualities, likening it to classic horror soundtracks like Silent Hill, while others criticize its sparse use and occasional misalignment with gameplay moments. Composed by notable talents, including a veteran from the Castlevania series, the soundtrack features standout tracks that enhance the horror experience, though some players found certain themes repetitive or underwhelming. Overall, while the music is a highlight for many, its inconsistent application and audio bugs detract from the overall experience.

    • “As for the audio, the music, to my relief, is nicely done.”
    • “The soundtrack is gorgeous, delivering a creepy, tension-heightening sound that makes you not want to see what could be around the corner.”
    • “It's some of the best horror music I've heard since the Silent Hill series, with some of my favorite tracks being 'Close Behind', 'Voyager', 'The Cave', 'The Cult', and many others.”
    • “It feels like an unfinished product all the way: the animations are poor, the music is almost nonexistent, most of the lines do not feature recorded dialogue and when they do the voice acting is pretty bad.”
    • “Oh and the soundtrack itself doesn't seem to complement the game at all.”
    • “The most jarring examples being that sometimes the music and/or sound effects cut out.”
  • atmosphere
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its nostalgic and creepy elements, effectively evoking the essence of classic survival horror titles. While it successfully creates a sense of unease and features interesting settings and sound design, some players note that clunky controls and a lack of coherent storytelling detract from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the unique blend of horror and dark humor, along with impressive real-time shadows, contribute to a memorable and engaging atmosphere.

    • “This premise alone carries a lot of nostalgic appeal, especially for fans of older survival horror titles, and it does create an atmosphere of unease right from the start.”
    • “The atmosphere is creepy, the horror and aesthetic are nostalgic and it really just made this old school horror fan happy (as well as made me go 'oh hell no' several times).”
    • “The game builds up a terrifying and dense atmosphere, accompanied by an interesting plot.”
    • “Its atmosphere, stalker-driven gameplay, and homage to the past are appealing, but its clunky controls, dated presentation, and weak storytelling keep it from standing alongside the best in the genre.”
    • “The voice acting is awkward and the plot is basically missing but the game has enough charm and atmosphere to keep you drawn in regardless.”
    • “While it does definitely have the atmosphere of a classic survival horror game, it suffers a lack of playtesting and illogical event progression.”
  • humor
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it unintentionally hilarious due to poor graphics, awkward animations, and bizarre dialogue. While some moments are genuinely funny and add charm, others fall flat, leading to a perception of the game as "hilariously terrible." Overall, it offers a unique blend of dark humor and absurdity that can appeal to those willing to overlook its technical shortcomings.

    • “Even though some of those seem unfinished and get cut off too soon, it's still cool af and some of them are straight up hilarious.”
    • “Exploration has the character walk around, solve simple puzzles and comment (often hilariously) on everyday objects meant to give a sense of their personality.”
    • “If you're able to look past these things, you'll find a charming game with a very morbid, distinct sense of humor and a whole lot of heart.”
  • optimization
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, poor performance, and janky controls that hinder gameplay. Many players experience crashes and graphical issues, even on high-end systems, suggesting it feels unfinished and requires significant fixes. Overall, the lack of polish and optimization detracts from the experience, making it a challenging play for those sensitive to technical performance.

    • “The game requires fixing to get it to run smoothly, so check out its PC gaming wiki page.”
    • “Even so, the game is still clunky, even on 'good' or 'medium', proving that it's an optimization problem.”
    • “Sometimes I have the game run smoothly and in the next second I can barely move anywhere without the game looking like it is about to crash on me.”
    • “It's poorly optimized, buggy, janky, lacking content, the narrative is full of loose ends and unexplained elements, the graphics are slightly above what you'd expect from a PS2 game and the gameplay is a mess.”
    • “And indeed, signs of poor optimization and an unfinished product abound: cutscene transitions are messy, at times characters' lips won't move while their voice clips play, characters turn around instead of going forward when you click on a hallway in a particular way, and the camera sometimes focuses on a closed door when you're escaping the scissorwalker.”
    • “The graphics aren't fully polished (Monica's 'scared' face looks halfway between a blow-up doll and a Macy's mannequin), the controls take a little bit of time to get used to, the optimization isn't perfect, and there are occasional framerate spikes.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability through multiple endings and completion records, providing variety and encouraging players to revisit it. However, some users find the storytelling confusing, which may detract from the overall experience. Despite this, enjoyable chases and the potential for different outcomes enhance its replay value.

    • “Replay value: multiple endings and completion record.”
    • “The chases are fun and the multiple endings give it some replay value.”
    • “On paper, this structure provides replay value and variety, but in practice, the storytelling is often confusing.”
    • “This makes the game have a lot more replayability than I expected if you can get past the controls.”
    • “The chases are fun, and the multiple endings give it some replay value.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is criticized for being weak and limited, with significant progression only occurring in the third act. Additionally, the point-and-click controls and fixed-camera setup detract from the overall experience, further hindering character engagement.

    • “The visuals, the character design, the writing, the acting.”
    • “Terrible and sometimes non-responsive point-and-click controls within a fixed-camera environment, weak character development and story.”
    • “Their character development is severely restricted until the third act.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game evokes a mix of nostalgia and disappointment; while it rekindles a positive feeling towards horror games for some, others find it lacking, leading to frustration and even tears. Overall, the emotional responses vary significantly, highlighting both a connection to classic horror and a sense of disillusionment with its execution.

    • “With a few additions to separate this game from the original Clock Tower games, the experience of playing this game made me feel good about playing horror games again.”
    • “Nightcry made me cry. It's a game inspired heavily by Clock Tower, but sadly it seems to take the inspirations in all of the wrong ways.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, with some describing it as a laborious experience that detracts from the overall enjoyment, even in the early stages. The nostalgia is overshadowed by the rough gameplay mechanics that make backtracking for items feel like a chore.

    • “There's some real nostalgic heart to this game, but the layered, jaggedly rough edges made even the first chapter feel like a tedious ordeal.”
    • “I did not feel like going back and getting that item to continue the game because of how tedious it would be.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a poorly executed cash grab, suggesting that it prioritizes profit over quality and player experience.

    • “It's just a garbage, cheaply made Unity cash grab.”
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NightCry is a survival survival game with horror theme.

NightCry is available on PC, Windows, PlayStation and PlayStation Vita.

NightCry was released on March 28, 2016.

NightCry was developed by Nude Maker.

NightCry has received negative reviews from players and negative reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its story.

NightCry is a single player game.

Similar games include Remothered: Tormented Fathers, Black Mirror, Call of Cthulhu, Remothered: Broken Porcelain, Daymare: 1998 and others.