Skip to main content

Noctuary

Noctuary Game Cover
94%Game Brain Score
story, music
atmosphere, stability
94% User Score Based on 130 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
Buy Nowfrom $9.48
Buy NowGet on Steam €17.39Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store
Noctuary Game Cover

About

Noctuary is a single player casual role playing game. It was developed by Gratesca and was released on November 28, 2023. It received very positive reviews from players.

"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."

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
Noctuary screenshot
+10
Skip User Reviews

94%
Audience ScoreBased on 130 reviews
story48 positive mentions
atmosphere3 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a beautiful art style that enhances the overall experience.
  • The story is engaging with well-developed characters, offering emotional depth and unexpected twists.
  • The combat system, while not the main focus, is enjoyable and adds a fun dynamic to the gameplay.
  • The pacing is slow, especially in the beginning, with excessive dialogue that can detract from the overall enjoyment.
  • The English translation has noticeable errors and awkward phrasing that can disrupt immersion.
  • The game is heavily skewed towards visual novel elements, which may disappoint players looking for more action-oriented gameplay.
  • story
    218 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is a mixed bag, with many players appreciating its depth, character development, and emotional weight, particularly in the latter half where significant twists and themes of loss and acceptance emerge. However, some reviewers criticized the pacing, especially in the early chapters, where the plot can feel slow and filled with unnecessary dialogue, leading to frustration. Overall, while the narrative is engaging and immersive, it may require patience to fully appreciate its complexities and emotional impact.

    • “The story delivers plenty of happy and sad moments, and it’s easy to become invested in the main characters' journey.”
    • “Noctuary is a striking fusion of narrative-driven storytelling and light action gameplay that demonstrates how artistry and emotion can coexist within a single cohesive experience.”
    • “The episodic storytelling gives the game room to fully develop all the main and side casts, along with exquisite world-building rarely seen in any visual novel.”
    • “The game has main quests and side quests, so knowing this, tell me: why am I playing the main quest and the plotline does not move forward?”
    • “Since the visual novel part takes about 80% of the game, losing interest in the plot was fatal.”
    • “Even after finishing the game, I feel more disappointed than satisfied with the story.”
  • music
    61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its high quality and emotional depth, effectively enhancing both the narrative and gameplay experiences. The soundtrack is extensive, featuring a variety of tracks that cater to different moments, from serene interludes to intense combat, and is available for free on Steam, adding significant value for players. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing to its immersive atmosphere and artistic presentation.

    • “The music, the voice actors, the sound effects this game has to offer is extraordinary.”
    • “Accompanying this is an evocative soundtrack that shifts seamlessly between haunting piano melodies and sweeping orchestral pieces, perfectly complementing both the quieter narrative interludes and the adrenaline-fueled combat encounters.”
    • “The soundtrack is huge; there's a different song or a variant of a song for just about everything, and they're all very well orchestrated, setting the scenes both joyful and serious perfectly.”
    • “The maps, the quest selections, the menus, even the music is different in almost every menu you press, as if they were trying too hard for it.”
    • “The soundtrack is huge, first of all. There's a different song or a variant of a song for just about everything, and they're all very well orchestrated, setting the scenes both joyful and serious perfectly, and for that reason, the tone of this game is done very well.”
    • “The music is satisfactory, with Mildia's theme being a standout and particularly good to me.”
  • gameplay
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Noctuary is a blend of visual novel storytelling and light action RPG elements, featuring a reading-to-gameplay ratio that leans heavily towards narrative. While the combat segments are enjoyable and well-executed, they are often brief and may feel underutilized, with some players wishing for deeper mechanics and more challenging encounters. Overall, the game successfully integrates its narrative and gameplay, providing a satisfying experience for those who appreciate emotional storytelling alongside engaging action.

    • “The gameplay segments are enjoyable and do a great job of breaking up the narrative, keeping the pacing fresh so you’re not reading for hours on end.”
    • “Noctuary is a striking fusion of narrative-driven storytelling and light action gameplay that demonstrates how artistry and emotion can coexist within a single cohesive experience.”
    • “The gameplay is split between two distinct modes: the story-focused visual novel segments and real-time combat sequences.”
    • “45 minutes reading → 5 minutes gameplay → repeat.”
    • “I'd also say that a lot of the basic fights overstay their welcome because they don't really have much story impact (fight x enemies on your way from a to b), and the only gameplay reward for beating the enemies is that you get to continue the story.”
    • “The action is almost top-notch, but the filler destroys the game: even if you skip everything, the visual novel would take more of your time than the actual gameplay.”
  • graphics
    29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals, charming art style, and exceptional attention to detail in both character designs and user interface. Reviewers highlight the breathtaking backgrounds and overall aesthetic, noting that the visuals significantly enhance the immersive experience of the game. While the graphics are praised as top-notch, some critics feel that the same level of care could have been applied to the narrative and gameplay mechanics.

    • “The visuals are out of this world; the CGs and everything Noctuary offers is just simply the best I've seen, and it is truly heartbreaking that a game like this doesn't receive enough attention.”
    • “The graphics, atmosphere, and world-building are honestly amazing, and the setting constantly keeps you guessing in a really good way.”
    • “With its exquisite visuals, heartfelt writing, and captivating score, it captures the rare feeling of playing through a moving, living dream.”
    • “Overall, it's obvious they put more effort into the graphics than the story or battle mechanics of the game.”
    • “The characters are written with care, plus the anime art style?”
    • “I was pretty sold up front on the gorgeous radial skill system and the character designs/aesthetic in general, but the characters and canto/trad cn voice over are really high-quality and dynamic too.”
  • emotional
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Noctuary" is highlighted by its profound storytelling, rich character development, and stunning visuals that create a deeply immersive experience. Players are taken on an emotional journey that explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the balance between despair and hope, with moments that evoke a wide range of feelings, from joy to sorrow. While some plot points may lack impact, the overall design and emotional cohesion leave a lasting impression, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate emotional storytelling in games.

    • “What begins as a simple coming-of-age tale soon evolves into an emotionally charged odyssey exploring friendship, sacrifice, and the fragile balance between despair and hope.”
    • “With its exquisite visuals, heartfelt writing, and captivating score, it captures the rare feeling of playing through a moving, living dream.”
    • “I cried tears of sorrow, tears of joy, maybe even some tears of anger, and every drop streaking down my cheeks is proof of my love for this game.”
  • character development
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in the game is generally well-received, with players praising the depth of relationships and the quality of voice acting. The character designs are noted for their beauty and artistic direction, contributing to an immersive experience. While some find the designs a bit busy, the overall execution is considered polished and engaging, enhancing the storytelling and emotional impact.

    • “My first time playing a Chinese visual novel, but it has far exceeded my expectations from the story (development & plot twists), music, character development, Cantonese voice acting to the art illustrations.”
    • “Character development and relationships are pretty good.”
    • “I was pretty sold up front on the gorgeous radial skill system and the character designs/aesthetic in general, but the characters and Cantonese/traditional Chinese voiceover are really high-quality and dynamic too.”
    • “The character design of Fancia and Alina is somewhat busy, but I can't say that I dislike them at all, either.”
    • “My first time playing a Chinese VN, but it has far exceeded my expectations from the story (development & plot twists), music, character development, Cantonese voice acting, to the art illustrations.”
    • “It's not perfect, but incredibly polished, from the main menu, the interfaces, character design, combat, art direction, and especially the soundtrack is outstanding.”
  • atmosphere
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its stunning graphics, immersive world-building, and emotional depth, creating a lingering experience that resonates with players. The seamless integration of sound and visual artistry enhances the overall ambiance, making it a standout feature despite a focus on narrative over combat mechanics. Reviewers commend the artistic design, highlighting its aesthetic appeal and emotional cohesion.

    • “The graphics, atmosphere, and world-building are honestly amazing, and the setting constantly keeps you guessing in a really good way.”
    • “The combination of sound and visual artistry gives Noctuary an atmosphere that lingers long after the screen fades to black—a testament to its careful design and emotional cohesion.”
    • “The integration of narrative and gameplay feels organic, and while it may not satisfy those looking for deep combat mechanics or fast-paced action, it offers an experience grounded in empathy, atmosphere, and artistry.”
    • “I really need to commend the artist on their sense of aesthetics and atmosphere for several reasons.”
  • humor
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of emotionally charged and funny tracks that enhance the overall experience, with players appreciating the clever transitions and variety. While some elements, like the "Mp3" track, may lose their novelty over time, the inclusion of humorous guides adds to the enjoyment. Overall, the humor is well-received but may vary in impact as players become accustomed to it.

    • “There are emotionally charged tracks, funny tracks that seamlessly transition into flowing melodies, action-packed battle themes, and so many more in between, with alternate renditions, instrumental versions, and edits of existing tracks.”
    • “Additionally, thanks for the funny guides, Yuya.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a desire for increased replayability through the addition of more playable characters, indicating that a broader character selection could enhance their gaming experience and encourage multiple playthroughs.

    • “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 fresh and exciting.”
    • “I wish there were more playable characters.”
    • “Are there really only a few playable characters?”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users report that the game experiences occasional freezing when switching tabs, which resembles a pause rather than a crash. This issue also allows for muting background music until the player returns, indicating some minor stability concerns that could affect the overall experience.

    • “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 crashes during gameplay, which disrupts the overall experience.”
    • “The game has a tendency to lag significantly, especially during intense moments, making it frustrating to play.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, particularly in the late-game, though it is considered manageable and less of an issue for those not focused on achieving 100% completion.

    • “However, the late-game felt tedious.”
    • “It's a little grindy, but only if you care about achieving 100% completion.”
  • optimization
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game has seen consistent updates from the developers, resulting in improved performance and smoother gameplay, particularly noted on the Steam Deck, where battery efficiency has also been enhanced.

    • “The developers keep updating the game with performance improvements and quality-of-life changes.”
    • “It runs much smoother now, and even has better battery performance on Steam Deck.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy Noctuary

6h Median play time
6h Average play time
6-6h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Noctuary

Games Like Noctuary

ANNO: Mutationem Image
86%1.5kreviews

ANNO: Mutationem

2022Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchPlaystation 5Playstation 4+10
TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children Image
94%5.8kreviews

TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children

2020Casual Role Playing
PCWindows
Ori and the Will of the Wisps Image
93%55kreviews

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

2020Platformer
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+9
8-Bit Adventures 2 Image
96%364reviews

8-Bit Adventures 2

2023Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+7
BROK the InvestiGator Image
89%558reviews

BROK the InvestiGator

2023Hack and Slash
Nintendo SwitchAndroidPlaystation 5+18
More games like Noctuary
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Noctuary is a casual role playing game.

Noctuary is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 6 hours playing Noctuary.

Noctuary was released on November 28, 2023.

Noctuary was developed by Gratesca.

Noctuary has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its atmosphere.

Noctuary is a single player game.

Similar games include ANNO: Mutationem, TROUBLESHOOTER: Abandoned Children, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, 8-Bit Adventures 2, BROK the InvestiGator and others.