NOX: Chapter 1

About

NOX: Chapter 1 is a single player puzzle game with horror, drama and mystery themes. It was developed by The Buua Studio and was released on December 23, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

NOX: Chapter 1 is a first-person puzzle game, where the player has to make use of gravity changes, gravity shifts and portals to explore the dreams and nightmares of a child. All this, in a world inspired by the work of Escher.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 38 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

monetization3 negative mentions

The game features unique and interesting puzzle mechanics, with a visually stunning and trippy atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.
It's free to play, making it accessible to a wide audience, and many players appreciate the artistic design and sound effects.
The narrative, while abstract, adds to the mystery and charm of the game, providing a thrilling experience for horror enthusiasts.

Gameplay can be confusing at times, with unclear objectives and some frustrating mechanics that may lead to repeated attempts at certain sections.
There are significant user experience issues, such as the lack of an invert mouse option and other bugs that can disrupt gameplay.
The game feels more like a demo or prologue rather than a complete experience, leaving players wanting more content and polish.

gameplay
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
31%
19%
The gameplay is characterized by simple mechanics that, while not overly complex, maintain player interest through unique features like a psychological horror setting and innovative perspective shifts. Although some players find the gameplay lacking in depth and excitement, others appreciate the clever puzzle mechanics and artistic presentation, suggesting a mix of enjoyment and confusion in the overall experience.
- “The mechanics are really simple, but the game is still not boring.”
- “So many cool puzzle mechanics, and it's beautiful!”
- “I think the game is good overall; the game mechanics are very interesting, and the game's art looks good.”
- “So it feels lacking in actual gameplay.”
- “There isn't much gameplay in this, and the first excitement fades.”
- “The gameplay is simple: in the role of a non-binary person, we have to go into the child's subconscious through his nightmares.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
20%
30%
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews; while some players find them passable and in need of optimization, others praise the visuals for their artistic design and atmospheric impact. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a significant aspect, but they are not enough to compensate for shortcomings in gameplay.
- “This game is fantastic; the visuals, the puzzles, the trippy geometry, and particularly the atmosphere.”
- “All the artistic, aesthetic, and sound design is wonderful, creating a truly terrifying atmosphere at times.”
- “The graphics in this game are passable, but could be better.”
- “Despite some bugs and graphics optimization required, this game is amazing!”
- “In addition to the screen resolution, you can change other graphics settings here.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
The game's story is described as abstract and mysterious, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. While some find it simple, others appreciate its dramatic background and how well it integrates with the game's artistic and sound design. Overall, the narrative is seen as a compelling element that contributes to the game's immersive qualities.
- “The story is not totally clear, which is good because it really adds to the mystery of this game.”
- “All the artistic, aesthetic, and sound design is wonderful, creating a truly terrifying atmosphere at times; in addition to the story and narrative itself with a powerful dramatic background.”
- “The story was very well put together as well!”
- “☐ no story”
- “The story is a bit abstract as intended but really cool.”
- “All the artistic, aesthetic and sound design is wonderful, creating a truly terrifying atmosphere at times; in addition to the story and narrative itself with a powerful dramatic background.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of "nox: chapter 1" is criticized as it feels more like a prologue or advertisement for an unfinished game rather than a complete product, leading to a perception of mediocrity in its execution. Players may feel that the game is an incomplete experience, which detracts from its value.
- “The monetization model feels exploitative, pushing players to spend money to enjoy the game fully.”
- “It's frustrating that essential features are locked behind paywalls, making it hard to progress without spending real money.”
- “The game constantly bombards you with ads and offers, which detracts from the overall experience.”
optimization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some users report excellent performance, others note the presence of bugs and a need for further graphics optimization.
- “Excellent optimization.”
- “Despite some bugs and graphics optimization required, this game is amazing!”
- “The game suffers from severe performance issues, making it frustrating to play.”
- “Optimization is lacking, resulting in frequent frame drops and long loading times.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively time-consuming, suggesting that it requires an almost unrealistic commitment to achieve progress.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
- “I spent hours grinding, and it still feels like I'm nowhere.”
atmosphere
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its unique perspective, captivating visuals, and intricate puzzles that enhance its charm and creepiness. The combination of artistic design, soundscapes, and a compelling narrative contributes to a truly immersive and sometimes terrifying experience.
- “It has such a unique perspective, interesting puzzles, and a twisty-turning atmosphere that adds to the charm and creepiness of it!”
- “This game is fantastic; the visuals, the puzzles, the trippy geometry, and particularly the atmosphere.”
- “All the artistic, aesthetic, and sound design is wonderful, creating a truly terrifying atmosphere at times, in addition to the story and narrative itself with a powerful dramatic background.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised for its seamless integration with the story and ambient sound effects, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of visuals and music, highlighting its effectiveness in creating an immersive atmosphere.
- “The story, ambient sounds, sound effects, and music are all really well combined.”
- “I really like the visuals and the music.”