NosTale

About

"NosTale is a free-to-play, massively multiplayer online anime role-playing game that can be played in a web browser. Embark on a journey with friends, engage in combat, tame wild animals, and complete perilous quests in this immersive game. Join the NosTale community today for an unforgettable adventure."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

63%

Audience ScoreBased on 648 reviews

story12 positive mentions

grinding44 negative mentions

Nostale offers a charming anime aesthetic and nostalgic appeal, making it enjoyable for long-time players.
The game has a friendly community, with opportunities for social interaction and teamwork through families (guilds).
Despite its age, the game still provides a variety of content and gameplay mechanics that can be fun, especially when played with friends.

The game is heavily pay-to-win, with many essential items locked behind a cash shop, making it difficult for free-to-play players to compete.
Gameplay can feel grindy and repetitive, especially at higher levels, with quests that often require excessive backtracking and item gathering.
The user interface and controls are outdated, leading to a frustrating experience for new players who may find it hard to navigate.

story
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
77%
9%
The story in Nostale is described as a mixed bag, with some players finding it captivating and well-developed, particularly in the early acts, while others criticize it as dull and repetitive, often bogged down by tedious fetch quests and poor quest design. Many reviewers express frustration with the lack of guidance and clarity in missions, leading to confusion and wasted time. Overall, while there are moments of intrigue, the execution leaves much to be desired, resulting in a generally average narrative experience.
- “The storyline is captivating, and the graphics are stunning.”
- “It also has a very nice and well-developed story that lasted until about act 6.”
- “During this act, the player meets Winslet and Rect Ract, both mere figures in the plans of angels and demons. As the story progresses, we learn what the angels are planning, and we have to stop them.”
- “The early quests constantly send you back and forth across long distances, but in a way that adds nothing to the gameplay.”
- “The story lines are average and boring.”
- “Missions suck in general; it is either go there and kill that, pick that up, give it to XYZ, go back, do the time spaces and repeat. The story is not that interesting either, nothing to be added.”
gameplay
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
73%
5%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by smooth mechanics but is often criticized for being outdated, repetitive, and grind-heavy, with many players finding it tedious and lacking innovation compared to genre giants. While the game features a charming aesthetic and some interesting late-game mechanics, it suffers from poor explanations of its complex systems, unbalanced PvP, and a steep learning curve that can deter newcomers. Overall, the gameplay experience is mixed, with some players enjoying the nostalgic elements while others find it frustrating and unengaging.
- “The gameplay mechanics are smooth and enjoyable.”
- “This is a very fun free-to-play, pay-to-win game with iconic graphics, nostalgic mechanics, cool events, and a very kind and non-toxic community.”
- “Some late-game mechanics in raids are interesting (for Nostale standards) and hard even, so I recommend checking them out (the newer ones being better).”
- “The early quests constantly send you back and forth across long distances, but in a way that adds nothing to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are brutally outdated now.”
- “A generic MMO, with outdated combat and gameplay mechanics (very grindy, repetitive, overall just tedious), dated graphics (the art style is somewhat charming, but also simplistic), and a very expensive cash shop full of pay-to-win elements.”
grinding
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
96%
The grinding aspect of the game is heavily criticized, with many players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and excessively time-consuming, particularly in the endgame where significant progress can take hundreds of hours. While some players find enjoyment in the grind and nostalgia, the overwhelming sentiment is that the game leans towards a pay-to-win model, making it difficult for free-to-play users to compete or enjoy the full experience without investing substantial time or money. Overall, the grinding is seen as a core but frustrating element of the gameplay.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “It is incredibly grindy, especially in the end game, where you would spend several hours to get one level.”
- “The late game will never really be reached by the majority of the player base, and unless you are willing to put in thousands of hours grinding, you will miss most of what this game has to offer.”
- “Quests are few and far between, and you will be spending most of your time grinding creatures and enemies in the open world.”
graphics
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
55%
11%
The graphics of the game evoke mixed feelings among users, with many acknowledging a nostalgic charm in its anime aesthetic despite its dated appearance. While some appreciate the visuals as iconic and fitting for its time, others criticize them as simplistic and unappealing by modern standards. Overall, the art style is seen as a highlight for fans, but it struggles to compete with contemporary graphics in the genre.
- “The storyline is captivating, and the graphics are stunning.”
- “Despite being from 2006, the art style still holds up today.”
- “It's a great game with great graphics, pretty addictive, easy to play, overall it's nice.”
- “The graphics and gameplay are dated... there's just a handful of addicts playing it, presumably because of some serious Stockholm syndrome.”
- “New updates look like graphics from another game... if you compare the look of the first items with the last items, you will notice the difference and how not pleasing to the eye it is.”
- “The first time I looked at this game I said, 'Wow, the graphics are so bad, I wouldn't want to play that,' but give it a try!”
monetization
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
23%
44%
The monetization in the game has been heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel have turned it into a pay-to-win experience. While the game was once enjoyable, the influx of monetization after the server migration and the release of new content has made it increasingly off-putting, leading to a perception of it as a cash grab. Overall, players express disappointment that the game's original charm has been overshadowed by aggressive monetization practices.
- “Played since 2007 and all I can say is this - good game, but too much microtransactions.”
- “As I remember back in 2007, the game was amazing to be honest. Sure, it had microtransactions, but it was only about 1% of what we have now. Shame though.”
- “Too many microtransactions to even start playing the game, and even worse later in the adventure. It's a highly off-putting part of the game; without the need to spend money, everything else is bearable/manageable and can be enjoyable.”
- “This isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
- “It's really good, but it's intensely pay-to-win; a real cash grab!”
- “Too many microtransactions to even start playing the game, and it gets worse later in the adventure. It's a highly off-putting part of the game; without spending money, everything else is bearable/manageable and can be enjoyable.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The music in the game is generally praised as its standout feature, described as calming and lovely, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players note that the music can become repetitive, with the same tracks playing throughout, and there are criticisms regarding the opening track's mismatch with the environment. Additionally, a mistranslation in the opening movie sets a negative tone for the game.
- “Music is the best part of Nostale, hands down the best part of the whole game, no issues here.”
- “It has quaint settings and lovely music.”
- “The only good thing about this game is the music, very calming.”
- “The localization in the opening movie is mistranslated, setting the tone for the game; and the opening track of the music doesn't fit the environment.”
- “The music is always the same.”
- “If you don't, well, the first few levels will tell you most of what you will experience and also get the music stuck in your head.”
humor
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is often appreciated for its nostalgic value and quirky anime-style graphics, providing a lighthearted experience. However, some players feel that while it can be amusing, it may not be worth investing significant time in compared to other options. The comedic elements, such as the absurdity of in-game currency transactions, add to its charm as an old-school MMO.
- “I'm playing this game since beta; it's a pretty funny game! ;)”
- “Funny anime-style graphics.”
- “It's a funny old school MMO.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is polarizing; while some players appreciate its nostalgic charm and cute graphics, others find it unwelcoming and off-putting, particularly for newcomers. This dichotomy suggests that the game's ambiance can significantly impact player engagement and enjoyment.
- “Playing it now when I'm twenty-one, all I can say is this game gives me a very nostalgic atmosphere.”
- “Cute graphics and a cool atmosphere.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The game's replayability has received mixed reviews, with some players feeling that nostalgia may not translate into lasting enjoyment for those with prior experience. This suggests that while it may appeal to newcomers, seasoned players might find its replay value lacking as they age.
- “The replay value of this game is impressive, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
- “I love how every run feels different, making me want to dive back in time and time again.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps the game fresh, ensuring I can replay it without getting bored.”
- “Not really sure of the negative reviews, but it seems to be from people with experience of this game. It's understandable that not all nostalgic games can have the same replay value as we get older.”

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