Noctuary
- November 28, 2023
- Gratesca Studio
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Noctuary is a single-player Role Playing Visual Novel with an interesting plot and good soundtrack. Play as Fancia Dream and Alina Nightsong, two aspiring Arborangers, in a fairy-tale-like world, battling monsters called Darkritters and uncovering the story of a mysterious girl. Experience their daily adventures and master different skills to win battles."
Reviews
- The game features a captivating story with rich world-building and well-developed characters, keeping players engaged throughout.
- The visuals and soundtrack are outstanding, enhancing the overall experience and immersing players in the game's atmosphere.
- The combat system, while simple, is enjoyable and offers unique mechanics that allow for customization and strategy.
- The game has a slow start with excessive exposition and cutscenes, which may deter players looking for more immediate action.
- The English translation has noticeable issues, including typos and awkward phrasing, which can detract from the narrative experience.
- Some players may find the combat limited due to the small number of playable characters and the repetitive nature of battles in the early game.
- story78 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 73 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's story is a captivating blend of rich world-building and character development, with a mix of light-hearted and darker themes that keep players engaged, especially in the latter half where plot twists and deeper emotional connections emerge. While the pacing can be slow initially, the narrative picks up significantly, offering multiple endings and side quests that enhance the overall experience. Despite some rough translations and a lack of voice acting, the story's depth and immersive qualities make it a worthwhile journey for fans of fantasy narratives.
“The first chapters feature almost no combat and a lot of exposition, so it can feel a little slow, but after certain plot twists, it picks up its pace and never lets go.”
“I became so invested in the story and characters that during my playthrough there were points where I stopped because I was trying to theorize and figure out the story because it was just that interesting to me.”
“The story was satisfying and well-paced.”
“The story just degenerates into nothingness and then moves to a post-game 'mission select' setting.”
“There is no ending to the story.”
“Overall, it's obvious they put more effort into the graphics than the story or battle mechanics of the game.”
- music20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its outstanding quality, with a relaxed and cinematic feel that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the extensive soundtrack, which includes over 90 tracks available for free download with the game purchase. The combination of beautiful musical scores and immersive gameplay elements contributes significantly to the game's charm and appeal.
“The soundtrack for this game is outstanding.”
“The artwork and musical scores were both incredibly fantastic, both being an absolute joy to listen to and look at.”
“The music is lovely and is definitely one of the highlights.”
“The game freezes in place (not a crash, more like a pause) when you change tabs and you can also make it mute background music, until you decide you're ready and click back on it (the little things add up).”
“The arts, music, stories, gameplay, etc.”
“Like how the controls feel just right, or how a song speaks to you unlike any other.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charm and beauty, featuring gorgeous character art and a visually appealing interface. Reviewers highlight the high-quality artwork and dynamic designs, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the overall experience, often overshadowing other aspects like story and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing to its engaging atmosphere.
“The artwork and musical scores were both incredibly fantastic, both being an absolute joy to listen to and look at.”
“Great visual novel with gorgeous visuals.”
“I was pretty sold up front on the gorgeous radial skill system and the character designs/aesthetic in general, but the characters and voiceover are really high-quality and dynamic too.”
“This is quite a simple game, graphically and mechanically.”
“Overall, it's obvious they put more effort into the graphics than the story or battle mechanics of the game.”
“The art, characters, soundtrack, graphics, UI, and even the main menu are splendid, but the overall experience feels lacking.”
- gameplay14 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally enjoyable and simple, with fun combat moments that keep players engaged, though some feel it could benefit from more frequent action and depth. While the early game leans heavily on dialogue, which may frustrate those seeking more gameplay, the unique equipment system and charming visuals contribute positively to the overall experience. Performance on platforms like the Steam Deck is mostly smooth, though it can struggle during intense combat scenarios.
“The story keeps you interested with rising action, the combat gameplay is fun though occasionally you wish there was just a bit more of it, the soundtrack is great, and the visuals are charming.”
“Also the gameplay is actual gameplay and challenging too with a unique equipment system.”
“Good art, good gameplay, good work.”
“The gameplay can still be improved.”
“The early game is mostly filled with dialogues between characters rather than action, which means players attracted to the game for its gameplay will have to go through this boring process, especially when the game only allows you to enter battles if the selected event is marked as 'combat'.”
“Overall, it's obvious they put more effort into the graphics than the story or battle mechanics of the game.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its polish and quality, featuring impressive character designs and a dynamic voice-over that enhances relationships. The radial skill system adds depth to character progression, contributing to an overall engaging experience.
“Character development and relationships are pretty good.”
“This game has one of the best character designs I have ever seen in any game.”
“I was pretty sold on the gorgeous radial skill system and the character designs/aesthetic in general, but the characters and voiceover are really high-quality and dynamic too.”
- humor2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Mp3" is initially amusing but tends to lose its impact over time, leading to a more subdued experience. However, users appreciate the comedic value of the guides provided by Yuya, which adds to the overall enjoyment.
“The humor in this game is genuinely entertaining and keeps you engaged throughout.”
“The funny guides provided by Yuya add a delightful touch to the overall experience.”
“The humor was amusing at first, but I eventually got used to it.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for increased replayability through the addition of more playable characters, indicating that a broader character roster could enhance their overall gaming experience.
“I wish there were more playable characters to explore different strategies.”
“The variety of playable characters really enhances the replayability.”
“Having more playable characters would make each playthrough feel unique.”
“I wish there were more playable characters to keep the game fresh.”
“Is there a possibility of adding more playable characters?”
“The lack of variety in playable characters really limits replayability.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat present, but it primarily becomes an issue for those aiming for 100% completion. For casual players, the grind is manageable and not overly burdensome.
“It's a bit grindy, but only if you're aiming for 100% completion.”
“The grinding feels excessive and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I found the grinding to be tedious and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate how the game's escalating difficulty aligns with the narrative, enhancing the emotional weight of the story. The transition from an easy start to a challenging midpoint effectively conveys a sense of urgency and despair, deepening the player's connection to the unfolding events.
“Even though the gameplay starts off easy, it picks up pace at just the right point in the story, adding to the seriousness of the situation. The massive difficulty spike really made me feel how downhill everything is meant to be portrayed.”
“The emotional depth of the characters and their struggles resonated with me on a personal level, making every decision feel weighty and impactful.”
“I was genuinely moved by the storyline; it evoked a range of emotions that lingered long after I finished playing.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game experiences occasional freezing when switching tabs, resembling a pause rather than a crash, which can also mute background music. While these interruptions are minor, they contribute to an overall perception of instability.
“The game freezes in place (not a crash, more like a pause) when you change tabs, and it can also mute the background music until you decide you're ready and click back on it. The little things add up.”
“I frequently experience random crashes that disrupt my gameplay, making it hard to enjoy the game.”
“The game often stutters and lags during intense moments, which really affects the overall experience.”
