NIGHTSLINK

About

NIGHTSLINK is a single player action game with horror and mystery themes. It was developed by noiseminded and was released on August 24, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

"NIGHTSLINK is a single-player Horror Adventure game with PS1-era graphics and a unique atmosphere. As a deliveryperson, you must record and transport audio tapes to an apartment building's strange inhabitants while uncovering the truth of a world consumed by horror and isolation. Despite its short playtime, NIGHTSLINK's eerie imagery and mysteries will linger long after."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 70 reviews

story5 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

Intriguing and atmospheric experience with a unique retro aesthetic reminiscent of PS1 graphics.
Engaging sound design and music that enhance the eerie and unsettling mood of the game.
Leaves players with thought-provoking questions and interpretations, making it a memorable short experience.

Very short gameplay, typically around 20-30 minutes, which may not justify the price for some players.
Underdeveloped story and themes, with many elements left vague and unexplained.
Repetitive gameplay mechanics that can feel monotonous, lacking variety and depth.

story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
69%
12%
The story in this game is described as vague and open to interpretation, with players experiencing a unique narrative through the act of delivering tapes in a decaying apartment block. While some find the storytelling intriguing and atmospheric, others criticize it for being simplistic and cliché. Overall, the game encourages personal interpretation, with hidden paths and a Lovecraftian ambiance that enhances the experience despite its brevity.
- “The story unfolds and reveals itself in a most interesting way as you go through a delivery route each night.”
- “Nightslink is one of those games where you will walk away with a different interpretation of the story than other people.”
- “This game has a brilliant balance between eerie atmosphere and vague story.”
- “It's shorter, the gameplay is less varied, the art is less sophisticated, the plot is more ordinary, and the writing feels more cliché.”
- “To say too much of the story (if you can even call it a story) would spoil too much of the proceedings, but the basic interaction you have is you go door to door in a rapidly decaying apartment block, delivering tapes to those apartments on your list, with each one giving you a short bit of exposition.”
- “I won't try to pretend there's any story, or at least that there's any need to try and decipher the hypothetical story to make this game 'better', I think it's good as-is and the lack of context just makes it all the more harrowing.”
atmosphere
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
65%
20%
15%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively creating a nostalgic yet unsettling mood that resonates with fans of dark, atmospheric experiences. While some players found the atmosphere lacking or the gameplay repetitive, many appreciated the combination of sound design, graphics, and implied lore that contribute to a gripping and unique experience. Overall, the game is recommended for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling, particularly in a surreal or horror context.
- “Yes, it's barely 20 minutes long, but in that short space of time they have crafted an incredible mood and atmosphere.”
- “The highlight is the atmosphere, a combination of the moody soundscape and mysterious world.”
- “Just the right amount of unsettling and darkness, and the sound design helps sell the disconcerting atmosphere.”
- “Didn't really get it and the atmosphere it was praised for didn't manifest for me.”
- “Nightslink has nothing but boring repetitive tasks and some eerie atmosphere.”
- “Even though you are performing such a mundane task - it is shrouded in so much shadow and denuded to such a vague perspective where I feel guilty and as if I am somehow responsible for the dread and despair that permeates the atmosphere of this title.”
graphics
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
37%
16%
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their nostalgic PS1 aesthetic, effectively blending retro visuals with a creepy, dreamlike atmosphere reminiscent of Lynchian and Lovecraftian horror. Reviewers appreciate the attention to detail in the art style and the immersive quality it brings, making it a standout feature that enhances the overall experience. While some feel it may not fully resonate with everyone, those who enjoy this unique aesthetic find it beautifully executed and engaging.
- “Loved the visuals, I'm a sucker for retro aesthetics and mix that in with a sort of dysto-lynch dreamscape and you're onto something interesting.”
- “Beautifully made, with a spot-on retro aesthetic and unsettling music, this is exactly the kind of game to cozy up with on a rainy night.”
- “I really loved the graphics, amazing rendition of the PSX style, and the atmosphere was amazing.”
- “It does nail the aesthetic it goes for, but to me it doesn't fully tickle that part of my brain that loves this type of game.”
- “The widescreen format and grainy field of vision award it a special aesthetic feel, almost as if I were interacting with one of those old cassettes I am delivering.”
- “Inspired by Lovecraftian, Kafkaesque, and Lynchian horror and PS1 era graphics.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The gameplay is criticized for being overly simplistic and repetitive, primarily consisting of walking and delivering items with minimal mechanics. Players note the game's brevity, with only about 30 minutes of content, leading to a perception that it lacks depth and variety. Overall, the focus seems to be more on the story than on engaging gameplay elements.
- “Not much context needed because of this game's brevity and about 30 minutes of gameplay if you play through it twice.”
- “Not only does the game have the same gameplay as Paratopic (walking sim with occasional driving segments), it also has basically the same story, just seen from a different type of character's point of view.”
- “It's shorter, the gameplay is less varied, the art is less sophisticated, the plot is more ordinary, and the writing feels more cliché.”
- “There's not much gameplay to speak of.”
- “It's purely a surreal atmospheric walking sim with no mechanics beyond looking at a list and delivering cassette tapes.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
11%
22%
The music in the game is widely praised for its beautiful composition and retro aesthetic, enhancing the immersive and atmospheric experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that complements the visuals and overall tone, making it a perfect fit for the game's setting. The combination of excellent sound design and engaging music contributes significantly to the game's appeal, making it highly recommended for fans of the genre.
- “Beautifully made, with a spot-on retro aesthetic and unsettling music, this is exactly the kind of game to cozy up with on a rainy night.”
- “I had fun with it over 3 playthroughs and the music and visuals are spot on for the demake style.”
- “Amazing art style, amazing sound and music, very immersive and pretty scary!”
- “Even the post-apocalypse needs music.”
- “While exploring the apartment complex, you can hear people listening to music, talking, and babies crying through the closed doors.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game offers limited replayability, appealing primarily to those who appreciate its atmospheric qualities and implied lore, rather than a wealth of explicit content to explore in multiple playthroughs.
- “The game offers a rich atmosphere that encourages multiple playthroughs, revealing more implied lore each time.”
- “Replayability is high due to the various choices you can make, leading to different outcomes and experiences.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh, with new elements to discover and explore, making it a worthwhile investment.”
- “It's worth it if you are okay with an atmospheric game that has a small amount of replay value and more implied lore than explicitly stated.”
- “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to go back and play again.”
- “The game feels like a one-time experience; after finishing it, I found no reason to replay it.”