Norco

NORCO is a brilliant game with an incredibly high level of craft, particularly with its writing. It is one of the most entertaining and thought-provoking games in years, and everyone should play it.

94%Game Brain Score

story, music

grinding, replayability

94% User Score Based on 1,536 reviews

Critic Score 84%Based on 18 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $1.38

Buy NowGet on Steam$14.99

Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

"NORCO is a single-player Mystery Point and Click game that immerses you in the surreal and uncanny Southern Gothic world of suburban New Orleans. Unravel the mystery of your missing brother as you follow a fugitive security android through refineries, strip malls, and swamps, all brought to life through stunning pixel art, rich sound design, and a haunting electronic score. The game blends humor, atmospheric storytelling, and emotional depth for a unique and captivating experience."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+11

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,536 reviews

story378 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Beautiful artwork and atmosphere that immerses players in a surreal, dystopian Louisiana.
Engaging and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of family, loss, and capitalism.
Unique gameplay mechanics, including a mind map system that enhances storytelling and character development.

The story can feel disjointed and confusing, especially towards the end, leaving many plot threads unresolved.
Some players may find the pacing slow and the dialogue-heavy nature tedious.
Combat mechanics feel tacked on and are not particularly engaging, with options to automate them.

story
972 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
59%
2%
The story of *Norco* is widely praised for its intricate and surreal narrative, blending elements of southern gothic and cyberpunk to explore themes of family, loss, and the impact of capitalism on a decaying town. Players appreciate the depth of character development and the emotional weight of the storytelling, though some find the plot convoluted and the ending unsatisfying, with loose threads that leave questions unanswered. Overall, the game is celebrated for its unique atmosphere, beautiful pixel art, and masterful writing, making it a compelling experience for fans of narrative-driven games.
- “It has beautiful artwork, writing, and a compelling storyline that gives this game a nuanced ambiance which I am grateful to have experienced.”
- “You get a crazy, gothic and cyberpunk tragic story with well-written characters and interesting locations.”
- “The story is a poignant exploration of nature versus nurture, of technology versus natural forces, of religion and corporate interests and how they corrupt humans and ecosystems alike.”
- “The story leaves the player unsatisfied.”
- “Ultimately, the story left me annoyed and bored.”
- “The actual gameplay very rarely adds anything to the story, and both the combat and the exploration minigame are such a jarring contrast to the rest of the gameplay, it completely ended any immersion for me.”
music
257 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, effectively complementing the stunning pixel art and narrative. Reviewers highlight the haunting melodies and eclectic mix of genres, including ambient, synth, and doom metal, which enhance the game's emotional depth and unique setting. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's overall experience and leaving a lasting impression on players.
- “Tremendous music that you will be listening to long after finishing the game.”
- “The music fits the tone of the visuals beyond perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is amazing; Gewgawly and Thou create a really incredible experience.”
- “The gameplay, soundtrack, graphics, plot, mystery - everything is below average and at some point is even boring.”
- “The music was probably the weakest point.”
- “The game makes a big deal about its soundtrack but I wasn't as impressed by it.”
graphics
253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
43%
1%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art style, which effectively captures the atmosphere and themes of the narrative. Many reviewers highlight the beautiful artwork and immersive visuals that blend seamlessly with the game's surreal and melancholic storytelling, creating a unique and engaging experience. While some may find the pixel graphics less appealing at first glance, they ultimately contribute to the game's rich ambiance and emotional depth.
- “The visuals are gorgeous, the soundtrack does a great job of really immersing you into the game, and the story left me speechless for a solid hour after finishing it.”
- “This game is so gorgeous and its visuals blend with the surrealist plot to create an overwhelming sense of dissociation.”
- “The pixel art graphics are stunning and at times psychedelic, and the game overall has very strong visuals.”
- “The graphics, soundtrack, and gameplay are all very smooth.”
- “The story was good, but the graphics were very bad - barely recognizable things, 'voices' were irritating.”
- “Very promising graphics and introduction, but got bored as soon as the gameplay began.”
gameplay
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
69%
3%
The gameplay of *Norco* is primarily a point-and-click adventure, featuring simple mechanics that often serve to advance the narrative rather than challenge the player. While it incorporates unique elements like a mind map and occasional mini-games, many players find the gameplay to be straightforward and lacking in depth, with combat mechanics that feel disjointed and underdeveloped. Overall, the game is praised for its engaging story and atmosphere, but those seeking complex gameplay may be disappointed.
- “The gameplay mechanics are designed as an efficient pipeline for immersion: simple and intuitive.”
- “The gameplay is smooth, the puzzles are well-designed, the soundscape is impeccable, and the art is stunning - the use of light and texture belongs in a museum.”
- “The gameplay is largely inoffensive but doesn't shine, either.”
- “The actual gameplay very rarely adds anything to the story, and both the combat and the 'exploration' minigame are such a jarring contrast to the rest of the gameplay, it completely ended any immersion for me.”
- “Gameplay-wise, I didn't like that you don't see your character; you kind of just click through different locations, like it's almost just static images with a little bit of animation that you interact with.”
- “Do not go into this game expecting much gameplay; it's a story first and foremost.”
atmosphere
179 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
64%
34%
2%
The atmosphere of the game is universally praised for its haunting, immersive quality, enhanced by stunning pixel art and a carefully curated soundtrack. Reviewers highlight its unique blend of surrealism, emotional depth, and a rich narrative that draws players into a dystopian world filled with complex characters and themes. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a masterclass in storytelling, creating a captivating experience that resonates long after gameplay.
- “One of the very few games with a non-derivative and mature narrative; it respects your capacity to fill the voids it leaves you while you unravel the predominant mystery, till the end; phenomenal characters and atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere this game creates is excellent and really sucks you in.”
- “Norco's greatest strength is its utterly unique industrial surrealist / southern gothic atmosphere, held together by evocative pixel art, gripping prose, moody soundtrack, and singularly melancholic worldbuilding.”
- “This might be a shame as I'd probably have appreciated it more, but even so, the art design and atmosphere of this game is striking, and the story was novel, intriguing, and enjoyable.”
- “With minor adjustments to characters and macguffin, the story could happen in any other place, which really takes away from the surreal atmosphere authors try to build.”
- “What I find very interesting is that for a game that should in theory have a lot of tension, it completely ignores it and just chills all the way to the end - I mean, maybe you could interpret it as an artistic choice, that is how I choose to see it, but it has an unusually relaxing atmosphere all things considered.”
humor
155 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in the game is described as a blend of dark, absurd, and surreal elements, often providing levity amidst its heavier themes. Reviewers appreciate the sharp, witty dialogue and the ability of the writing to balance comedic moments with poignant storytelling, creating a unique atmosphere that is both funny and haunting. While some found the humor hit-or-miss, many noted that it effectively enhances the overall experience, making the game engaging and memorable.
- “The writing is superb, poetic, relatable, mysterious, humorous; it's perfect.”
- “It's a game that is both deeply gloomy and funny.”
- “The writing was very impressive, poetic in places, touching in others, and some genuinely hilarious moments made it perfectly rounded, leaving me completely invested and immersed in its outcome.”
- “When it's not funny or scary, it's a tearjerker.”
emotional
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
4%
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its poignant writing and ability to evoke a range of feelings, from laughter to deep sorrow, often intertwining humor with heart-wrenching themes. Many players found themselves deeply invested in the characters and narrative, experiencing moments of nostalgia and personal reflection, although some noted that the brevity of the story left certain emotional arcs feeling flat. Overall, the game is described as a beautifully crafted emotional journey that resonates with players long after completion.
- “Beautiful art populates this game's entire runtime, the soundtrack is super emotional and atmospheric, and the writing is so exceptional that Norco is the first game that's ever made me weep.”
- “The narrative is dramatic and intense, bringing me to tears at several different points with its heartbreaking honesty surrounding the dynamic between the protagonist Kay and her family, and filling me with frustration in reference to industry's impact on surrounding communities.”
- “Norco is the most heartfelt, bittersweet love letter to a place I can never visit.”
- “The story felt dull and lacked any meaningful choices.”
- “I didn't feel any emotional connection to the characters.”
- “The narrative was predictable and failed to evoke any real feelings.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
92%
Reviews highlight that grinding in various games often leads to a tedious experience, with players feeling that the effort invested does not yield satisfying rewards. Many describe combat and minigames as unengaging and repetitive, contributing to a sense of frustration and wasted time. Overall, the grinding mechanics detract from the enjoyment, making some games feel unnecessarily prolonged and lacking in meaningful payoff.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “This game can be rather tedious.”
- “The clicking back and forth between scenes to find a piece of dialogue or object I need to move on became too tedious.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
25%
38%
Overall, the game offers a mixed perspective on replayability. While some players find it lacking due to its short length and limited content, others appreciate the multiple endings and meaningful choices that encourage revisiting the game for different experiences. The presence of achievements and alternate dialogue branches adds to its replay value for those interested in exploring all aspects of the story.
- “The story is really well thought out; I know there's multiple endings too, so there's some replay value.”
- “The choices you have to make during the game seem to really matter and will create quite different experiences, so replayability should be good.”
- “But it has a surprising amount of replayability in it—alternate endings, alternate dialogue branches.”
- “Not a replayable game for me, but glad I experienced it.”
- “I finished it with all the achievements in 5 hours, so its brevity combined with the lack of replayability makes me categorize it as: buy it on sale.”
- “But it has a surprising amount of replayability in it--alternate endings, alternate dialogue branches.”
character development
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The character development in the game is highly praised for its depth and uniqueness, with each character distinctly designed and intricately tied to the narrative. The atmospheric environments enhance the connection to the protagonist's struggles, contributing to a compelling storytelling experience. Overall, the combination of visual artistry and character growth significantly enriches the game's emotional impact.
- “It excels in so many areas, especially its storytelling and character development and is thick with atmosphere and intrigue.”
- “Incredible visual and sound design, character development, and narrative.”
- “I also really enjoyed how different each character was and the character development.”
- “It excels in so many areas, especially its storytelling and character development, and is thick with atmosphere and intrigue.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised, particularly on M1 Apple Silicon, indicating strong performance. However, some users noted that their personal setups may not have been ideal for optimal gameplay, suggesting that performance could vary based on individual hardware configurations.
- “Performance is also amazing on M1 Apple Silicon.”
- “Part of this is that I was playing the game with a setup that wasn't particularly well optimized for fine mouse control, so it's possible that these would be less frustrating with a decent mouse.”
- “The game suffers from severe performance issues, with frequent frame drops and stuttering that make it nearly unplayable.”
- “Optimization seems to have been an afterthought; the game runs poorly even on high-end hardware.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that not only affected gameplay but also hindered my overall experience due to poor optimization.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Overall, the game is generally stable, with most users reporting a smooth experience free of major bugs or glitches. However, some players encountered minor issues, such as lingering character portraits and occasional audio glitches, along with a rare soft lock that could be resolved by reloading a save.
- “It's not buggy, and I like the art style, but as much as I would like to love this game.”
- “I did run into some minor bugs - lingering character portraits, a couple of audio glitches, and the game soft-locked once, but nothing a reload of a save or just carrying on couldn't fix.”