Nocturnal

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 127 reviews

gameplay14 positive mentions

Beautifully hand-drawn art style with strong contrasts between light and dark, enhancing the overall atmosphere.
Responsive controls and smooth character movement make for an enjoyable gameplay experience.
Clever use of fire mechanics in puzzles and combat adds a unique twist to the platforming experience.

The game is quite short, typically taking around 2-3 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
Combat can feel lackluster without a fire source, and the overall challenge may be too easy for experienced players.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the reliance on darkness and limited visibility, can lead to frustrating moments.

gameplay
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
67%
6%
The gameplay in Nocturnal is fast-paced and engaging, featuring a clever fire mechanic that is integral to both combat and puzzle-solving. Players appreciate the fluid movement, responsive controls, and well-timed introduction of new mechanics, which keep the experience fresh despite the game's short runtime of about 2.5 hours. Overall, the game is polished and avoids unnecessary complexity, delivering a satisfying and enjoyable platforming experience.
- “There's not a single dull moment in the gameplay.”
- “Movement is fluid, the gameplay is fast-paced, combat is well-balanced, and the game ends after about 2 1/2 hours just before it would become repetitive.”
- “Nocturnal is a game that, despite its very short runtime, left me satisfied by the end due to the responsive controls, smooth animations, and straightforward gameplay.”
- “Gameplay is basically see thing -> do thing.”
- “The fire system feels more important for lore reasons than for gameplay reasons, but at least it's something you have to look out for.”
- “Even in the trailers, you can see this problem occur: the game relies on darkness as a mechanic.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
48%
41%
11%
The game's story has received mixed reviews, with some praising its emotional depth and potential for expansion, while others find it simplistic and serving primarily as a backdrop for gameplay. Many players appreciate the engaging narrative and beautiful art style, but feel that character development and lore could be more fleshed out. Overall, the story is seen as a strong element, yet it leaves room for improvement and deeper exploration.
- “The story was interesting; between fighting the water nation (blue-clad people) and the mist spawn (shadowy enemies) there’s enough potential here for DLC or even a sequel explaining and expanding the lore.”
- “It's a very good looking game with a touching story.”
- “But other than that, the combat was engaging, the story was engaging, and the art style was beautiful.”
- “There's a story but it doesn't really matter - more of a framing device for the action.”
- “The story is pretty bare; you learn little about the few characters you meet.”
- “[environments and story are thin, sound design and music are bland, some frustrating platforming.]”
graphics
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
69%
19%
12%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautifully hand-drawn art style, strong contrasts between light and dark, and impressive shaders and lighting effects, creating an amazing atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the charming aesthetics and overall visual appeal, contributing to a solid gaming experience despite some concerns about gameplay length. Overall, the visuals are considered a standout feature, enhancing the game's engaging story and mechanics.
- “The graphics are simply amazing, and the overall atmosphere in this game is brilliant.”
- “This is not only because of the gorgeous art style or backgrounds but also due to some very good looking shaders and lighting effects.”
- “Amazing atmosphere and visuals.”
- “Fire/smoke graphics!?”
- “Your entire game consists of avoiding the darkness; don't go play around with the concept of it willy-nilly for aesthetic reasons then.”
- “I could say the same about the graphics and music.”
music
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
39%
17%
The music in the game is generally praised for its beauty and effectiveness, with several reviewers highlighting the quality of the soundtracks and their ability to enhance the overall experience. However, some criticism is directed towards the sound effects and the soundtrack's lack of variety, with a few describing it as bland or uninspired. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's atmosphere, particularly during calm moments between intense gameplay.
- “This game has very good ideas, and an incredible art design paired with really good soundtracks.”
- “Pair that with a good soundtrack, a simple story and an appealing art style and you have a great game.”
- “After some intense platforming, it seems that the game takes you outside the dungeons, plays beautiful calm music and shows you beautiful art and vistas as an in-between treat.”
- “Passable sound effects and original soundtrack from what I have seen.”
- “Sound and music: 14/20.”
- “[Sound design and music are bland.]”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
80%
20%
The game is praised for its exceptional atmosphere, enhanced by stunning graphics and innovative gameplay elements, including a unique fire mechanic that integrates seamlessly into both puzzles and action. Reviewers consistently highlight the immersive feel and overall brilliance of the game's ambiance.
- “The graphics are simply amazing, and the overall atmosphere in this game is brilliant.”
- “Amazing atmosphere and visuals.”
- “It's an extremely atmospheric action-platformer, which is built around puzzle components, and which uses a pretty cool fire gimmick for both its puzzles and action alike.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its intricate and complex narrative that explores deep themes of family and the emotional struggles associated with leaving loved ones behind. Its visually appealing design complements a touching story that resonates with players on an emotional level.
- “It's intricate, complex, and delves into themes of familyhood and the emotional turmoil of leaving one's own behind.”
- “It's a very good-looking game with a touching story.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
150%
Users highlight that "Dead Cells" offers high replayability due to its dynamic combat system and procedurally generated levels, encouraging players to revisit the game for new experiences and challenges. The variety of weapons and upgrades further enhances the incentive to replay, making each run feel unique.
- “The replayability in Dead Cells is incredible; every run feels fresh and exciting.”
- “I love how the combat mechanics keep evolving with each playthrough, making me want to dive back in.”
- “Each time I play Dead Cells, I discover new strategies and paths, which keeps the game feeling new.”
- “The replayability of Dead Cells feels limited after a few runs; the gameplay becomes repetitive.”
- “While the combat is engaging, the lack of variety in levels makes replaying less exciting.”
- “I found that after completing the game once, there wasn't much incentive to dive back in.”