Nocturnals
- September 13, 2024
- Cowboy Toad Games
- 3h median play time
Get on SteamThis game was created as my version of a love letter to my partner. Follow the story of Ted as he navigates the abandoned town of Ruddleside amidst the post apocalypse, finding a solitary companion in Diego. Your choices determine whether Diego will bond with Ted and help him continue his search for surviving communities, or whether the pair will face difficulties and challenges that put th…
Reviews
- The game features a compelling story with relatable characters and emotional depth.
- The art style and soundtrack enhance the overall experience, creating an immersive atmosphere.
- Multiple endings encourage replayability, allowing players to explore different choices and outcomes.
- The game is very short, with a typical playtime of around an hour, which may leave players wanting more content.
- There are issues with cutscene skipping, making it tedious to replay for different endings.
- Some players found the voice acting and character decisions to be lacking in depth and realism.
- story175 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally praised for its engaging and relatable narrative, featuring well-developed characters and emotional depth, particularly in the context of a post-apocalyptic setting. However, many reviewers note that the story is quite short, often completing in under an hour, which leaves players wanting more content and exploration of the characters' backstories. Despite its brevity, the storytelling is complemented by a unique art style and impactful choices that influence the outcome, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
“The storytelling is great, accompanied with an amazing soundtrack that puts you into the game.”
“The story is short but captivating.”
“I love all the characters as they all have deep backstories, with the plot and storyline driving the game to heights I never expected.”
“The story and scale of this game is very small though so there isn't much that is explored.”
“The story is half decent with each story being relatively short which wouldn't be a problem if you could skip the same replaying of cut scenes.”
“Overall kind of disappointed with it, it's a lot shorter than I thought it would be and the story just reads like a bad fanfic written by a teenager.”
- graphics50 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique art style that blends 2D and 3D elements, creating a visually appealing experience. However, some players noted graphical glitches and inconsistencies that detracted from the overall immersion. Despite these issues, the art style is often described as charming and original, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere and storytelling.
“Great story and creative graphics.”
“The art style is unique, and I enjoyed the combination of 2D and 3D aspects, and I enjoy how much can change in the story based on one simple decision.”
“Graphics: the best part of the game, very beautiful, and really original as well.”
“The visuals are simple, and the game does have a nice art style.”
“There are a lot of graphical mishaps though, and places where you can see something strange, such as looking out the train cart window to see an empty void with a wall, or having half of a bridge/tunnel disappear when you walk too far away.”
“Graphics made this look like a classic 3D game, and it's so good.”
- gameplay25 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of Telltale's style, combining storytelling with basic mechanics that allow for some exploration and decision-making. While many players appreciate the immersive narrative and replayability for different endings, there are concerns about the game's short length and simplicity, with some feeling it lacks depth and interactive challenges. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of narrative-driven games, but may leave others wanting more substantial gameplay.
“I love this game; it's very storytelling, and I love the mechanics. It mostly reminds me of Until Dawn and The Quarry.”
“Short, sweet, shocking; genuinely startled me at times and was all-around a really nice story, decently replayable and an interesting combination of mechanics and storytelling in a way that partially scratched my itch for more Telltale-style games, more visual novels/interactive fictions, and more apocalyptic media.”
“The story is amazing, and the gameplay makes it so much more immersive.”
“Ngl this shit was lokey ass, it was like way too short ik it was only 8 dollars but damn they could've given us more gameplay and maybe another chapter.”
“$8 for less than 2 hours of gameplay isn't good.”
“Gameplay: it's really really basic, I'm talking an 8-year-old could figure these things out and would find it boring as well.”
- emotional19 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, featuring a touching narrative that evokes strong feelings, including moments that made players cry. It combines wholesome themes with elements of horror, creating a unique experience that resonates with players, particularly through its genuine character relationships and heartfelt storytelling. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a heartwarming yet impactful gaming experience.
“I cried at least twice, and I think I could say I'm this game's biggest fan.”
“It's such a touching game, where choices will lead to some really nasty outcomes.”
“Nocturnals is a truly beautiful and heartfelt game.”
- music13 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the storytelling and atmosphere, with many reviewers describing the soundtrack as divine and chill, effectively setting a lonely, ominous tone. While some noted a lack of audio adjustment options, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's emotional depth and immersive experience. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, complementing the game's art and design.
“The storytelling is great, accompanied by an amazing soundtrack that puts you into the game.”
“First off, I love the soundtrack of this game along with the artwork. It really sets the atmosphere of a lonely, ominous post-apocalyptic world. The story, albeit short, was one of the best I have seen and brings out emotions for these characters.”
“Awesome style and graphics, especially considering it was made by a very small team. Great game overall with awesome music.”
“Short, less than an hour game, bad voice acting feels like a browser game. It has no character depth, no lore, and the action scene music feels stolen and misplaced.”
“That being said, the only complaint I have for this game is the fact there is no setting to adjust audio in the game, only the option to turn off the music. An option for this in the future for other possible games would be great.”
“The music is fine.”
- replayability13 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability with multiple endings—reportedly six to eight—encouraging players to experience different outcomes based on their choices. However, many reviewers noted that the endings are quite similar, and the inability to skip cutscenes can make repeated playthroughs feel tedious. Overall, while the game is short and engaging, the replay value is somewhat diminished by its repetitive elements.
“The six endings also make the game very replayable.”
“This game has multiple endings which expect you to go through multiple playthroughs for its replay value.”
“It's a very short, very sweet, and quite replayable game that scratches that Telltale itch I've had lately.”
“It gives the game replayability with it having several endings, but the endings are very similar to each other and you can't skip the cutscenes or do much to speedrun through the game.”
“A short narrative game that's about an hour (tops) for a playthrough and has six endings to find to encourage replayability (there's no options to skip stuff you've seen so it can get a bit stale seeing the similar scenes again and again).”
“Replayability: there are supposedly 8 different endings to the game but I only really bothered to get one, so I can't say much on them, but from what the game shows, it does seem like all the choices you make do have a pretty big impact on exactly which ending you get, which does suggest the replayability is pretty big.”
- stability6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant bugs early on, while others report minor issues like camera warping. Overall, it runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, and despite the bugs, many users still find the game enjoyable and promising for future updates.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“The game got stuck less than 10 minutes in. I tried reloading multiple times; I can only assume the rest of the game is a buggy mess as well.”
“It was good, but a bit buggy.”
“Just a little buggy with the camera warping while moving around, but thankfully not a big deal and I'm sure it'll be fixed soon.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its unorthodox voice acting and quirky art style, which many players find engaging and entertaining rather than unprofessional. The combination of dark humor and absurd situations, such as exaggerated reactions to gore and witty dialogue, adds a unique charm that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the dry British humor, which contrasts effectively with the game's intense moments, making it both funny and memorable.
“I saw a few videos reviewing this game saying how the voice acting was unprofessional or the transitions weren't very clean, but honestly I didn't find that to be a problem at all - anytime the voice acting wasn't 'realistic' it was simply funny and more engaging.”
“The gore was detailed enough to provide that initial shock, but still fun enough to not have to balk at it - like watching Ted get decapitated and just hearing Mia go, 'oh sh!t.' It's hilarious, much better than hearing some ugly shriek which is what would be considered 'realistic.'”
“And the voice actors are spot-on...the dry British humor while we're running for our lives is everything <3”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect tedious due to the inability to skip cutscenes or dialogue, making repeated playthroughs feel lengthy and cumbersome. Many suggest that extensive grinding may require significant time investment, likening it to needing a "second life" to manage.
“There doesn't seem to be a way to skip cutscenes or dialogue, so playing through multiple times can get tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the character development for its charm and cuteness, often highlighting the appealing art style and character designs as a significant aspect of their enjoyment.
“I'm in love with the art style and character designs; they're going to be my hyperfixation for a while.”
“The graphics were great, and the character development was so cute.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its haunting soundtrack and striking artwork, effectively creating a lonely and ominous post-apocalyptic world. The emotional depth of the characters and their evolving relationships adds significant meaning to the experience, making the short but impactful story resonate with players.
“I love the soundtrack of this game along with the artwork; it really sets the atmosphere of a lonely, ominous post-apocalyptic world. The characters and their relationships, as they progress or regress, give the game deep meaning as you venture into an empty world. The story, albeit short, is one of the best I have seen and evokes strong emotions for these characters. What has been achieved in this short game is truly impactful; I would definitely recommend it.”
“The atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, with every detail contributing to the sense of isolation and despair. The combination of sound design and visual elements creates an immersive experience that pulls you into the world.”
“From the moment you start playing, the atmosphere envelops you. The eerie silence, punctuated by the occasional sound, makes you feel the weight of the world around you. It's a perfect blend of tension and beauty.”
“The atmosphere feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to immerse myself in the game world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich setting, the atmosphere is flat and fails to evoke any real emotion.”
“The game tries to create a dark and eerie atmosphere, but it ends up feeling more tedious than tense.”
