Noxia Somnia
- January 25, 2024
- Reframe Games
- 5h median play time
Get on SteamAfter waking up in a mysterious realm, Tristan is hunted by shadows that feed on anxiety and dread. Confront and overcome his deepest fears as you search for a way out of this survival horror nightmare. Noxia Somnia is an expression of real personal struggles that allows players to confront and conquer the paralyzing dread we face in today’s world. Features Explore corrupted memories teeming wit…
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a compelling and relatable story that explores mental health issues, making it emotionally impactful for many players.
- Gameplay is engaging with simple controls, enjoyable combat sequences, and well-designed boss fights that add depth to the experience.
- The pixel art and sound design are praised for their quality, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.
- The game lacks a manual save feature and a mini-map, which can lead to frustrating navigation and repeated encounters with enemies.
- Grinding for currency and collectibles can feel tedious and may detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay.
- Higher difficulty levels can be unfair, with players taking damage just from being seen, which may frustrate those seeking a balanced challenge.
- story25 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story of the game centers around Tristan, a young man grappling with depression and relatable life struggles, making it a compelling and emotional experience for players. While some found the initial pacing slow, many noted that the narrative deepens significantly in the mid to late game, enhancing character investment and overall engagement. The game effectively balances storytelling with gameplay mechanics, appealing to those who appreciate a rich narrative intertwined with their gaming experience.
“The game's story is compelling and addresses problems that many people can relate to.”
“It is really easy to relate to Tristan's story, as a lot of us have experienced bullying at school or at work, or fallen into this spiral of hopelessness that makes you doubt your ability, or even opens the door to depression due to mental self-torture and lack of sleep.”
“The story is really well written and takes you on a very deep journey into the emotional struggles that most people often deal with.”
“The start of the story kind of bored me, and I wasn't super interested in engaging with the first part of the game. Later on, for story reasons and my overall feel, the first part of the game is more interesting in hindsight and I feel adds to the overall game. However, there was a brief moment I had considered not continuing the game because of this.”
“While I'm not the biggest fan of some of the story content, the rest of the game more than makes up for it.”
“I was slightly skeptical before playing this game, wondering how the developers would approach the balance between the seriousness of the story and the combat sequences.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "noxia somnia" is well-received for its effective blend of exploration and fast-paced combat, successfully translating survival horror mechanics into a 2D format that maintains tension and engagement. While some players find certain elements, like the luck consumable, to be more of a distraction than an enhancement, the overall experience is praised for its balance and emotional storytelling.
“The developers have done an excellent job balancing a tough subject and gameplay.”
“It transposes survival horror mechanics into 2D in a way that preserves what makes the genre so tense and rewarding.”
“Partly because I'd always forget the luck consumable, but it felt like it padded gameplay more than adding to gameplay.”
“Each level has one invincible enemy that starts chasing you when it detects you, and one of the main gameplay mechanics is to manage your detection meter by hiding in other rooms to avoid getting caught.”
“Gameplay in 'noxia somnia' is a blend of exploration and fast-paced combat.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Noxia Somnia features well-animated pixel graphics that enhance its side-scroller action-horror experience. The combination of retro pixel art with high-quality lighting and effects creates an engaging visual atmosphere, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Noxia Somnia is a side-scroller action-horror game with neat pixel graphics.”
“Good pixel artwork, and the game runs very well.”
“The pixel art combined with high quality lighting and effects is one of my favorite art styles.”
“The graphics are simple but lack detail, making the game feel outdated.”
“The retro graphics may appeal to some, but they feel too basic for modern gaming standards.”
“While the pixel art is charming, it doesn't compensate for the overall lack of visual depth.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional storytelling, effectively addressing sensitive topics like depression and bullying while maintaining a light-hearted approach that offers constructive advice. Players appreciate the well-written narrative that guides them through deep emotional struggles, making it a compelling choice for those who enjoy challenging, story-rich experiences.
“This is some emotional stuff.”
“[i]noxia somnia[/i] is a pixel-art horror game that tells an emotional story through a peculiar combination of several game mechanics.”
“The story is really well written and takes you on a very deep journey into the emotional struggles that most people often deal with.”
- music5 mentions
- 80 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its immersive soundtrack that enhances the mood of each scene, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers commend the sound design as wonderful, highlighting the developers' exceptional work in creating a charming and engaging auditory atmosphere.
“The sound design and music in the game are wonderful.”
“The game features an immersive soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the mood of each scene, adding depth to the experience so far, and I am working my way through the 2nd major area in the game.”
“The developers did a phenomenal job with the soundtrack; the color palettes used were charming, and there is humor to boot!”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is deeply immersive, with each boss symbolizing Tristan's life failures and accompanied by unique soundtracks that enhance the emotional experience. Players find a strong connection to Tristan, making the world feel relatable and engaging.
“Each boss in the game represents Tristian's life failures and features unique soundtracks during battle, enhancing the atmospheric experience.”
“The haunting visuals and immersive sound design create a truly captivating atmosphere that draws you into the game's world.”
“The game's environment is rich with detail, making every location feel alive and contributing to an unforgettable atmospheric experience.”
“The atmosphere of the game feels lifeless and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“Despite the potential, the atmosphere lacks depth and fails to create an immersive experience.”
“The world feels empty and devoid of character, which detracts from the overall atmosphere.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players have noted that grinding for currency and trophies from monsters can be a significant drawback, as it often feels tedious and detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“About the only glaring negative was grinding for currency and trophies from various monsters to trade for goodies back at the hub.”
“The constant grinding feels more like a chore than an enjoyable part of the game.”
“I found myself stuck in an endless loop of grinding, which took away from the overall experience.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is commendable, with very few glitches reported. However, one notable issue involves the flashlight and taser functionality, which can be temporarily disrupted upon returning to the game, requiring a menu navigation to resolve.
“I encountered a couple of glitches; one was particularly frustrating. When I left the game and returned, it took away my taser from the flashlight. I had to go back into the menu and select the flashlight again, which took me close to 30 minutes to figure out.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience. I've lost progress multiple times due to these stability issues.”
“There are constant frame rate drops that disrupt gameplay. It feels like the game can't handle the action, which is really disappointing.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers appreciate the humor in the game, noting that it complements the charming visuals and excellent soundtrack, enhancing the overall experience.
“The developers did a phenomenal job with the soundtrack, the color palettes used were charming, and there is humor to boot!”
