Nyctophobia
- January 16, 2015
- Lightning Man Media
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreNyctophobia is a 3D game that offers a tense and challenging experience as players navigate through the dark woods, relying on a flashlight to see and stay away from their fears. The game features an expansive map with various environments, and the goal is to collect key items to bring back light, while fighting off the darkness by managing battery power. With numerous challenges and chilling surprises, Nyctophobia provides a fresh and visually compelling experience for players to face their fears.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game has a spooky atmosphere that can be immersive at times.
- Some players found it enjoyable and fun to explore, especially when played with friends.
- There are moments of suspense and a few jump scares that can provide a thrill.
- The graphics are extremely poor, reminiscent of outdated technology, which detracts from the experience.
- Gameplay is frustrating with clunky controls and unclear objectives, making it tedious to play.
- Many players felt the game was a waste of time and money, with no redeeming qualities.
- graphics7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics have been widely criticized for being outdated and poorly executed, with many reviewers noting a lack of detail and clarity that detracts from the overall experience. While some players find the visuals acceptable for an indie game, the general consensus is that the graphics are subpar, reminiscent of early 2000s designs, which undermines the game's potential for immersion and enjoyment.
“The graphics aren't amazing or anything, but it's definitely fun.”
“It's an indie game, but I thought the graphics were nice looking in-game.”
“The graphics are too poor to be scary (but the game tries anyway), the goals are not entirely clear, and gathering batteries is more annoying than it is suspenseful.”
“2D sprites and circa 2000 graphics in a 3D game written in 2015 represent laziness, poor design decisions, or a simple lack of competence that treads dangerously close to designer maleficence.”
“I knew from the trailer that the graphics weren't exactly next-gen, but this is really bad.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The gameplay is criticized for being simplistic and lacking immersion, with controls that detract from the overall experience. While some find it playable, the absence of engaging mechanics and atmosphere leaves much to be desired.
“I could look past that if it had good atmosphere or gameplay or was actually scary.”
“It is just a dumb game mechanic.”
“This game, on the other hand, plays just fine...as long as you don't go extrapolating the word 'play' into 'gameplay'.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized as bleak and oppressive, effectively immersing players in a sense of isolation and helplessness. Many reviewers noted its ability to evoke fear, contributing to a deeply immersive experience, though some felt that the overall gameplay needed improvement to match the atmospheric quality.
“It scared me a few times, and I thought the atmosphere was really immersive.”
“I could look past that if it had good atmosphere or gameplay or was actually scary.”
“The atmosphere is bleak and oppressive, making you really feel alone and helpless.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the scary and exciting themes, others feel that the use of Kevin MacLeod's compositions is underutilized and not properly credited. Additionally, the inclusion of ambient sounds, like crunching leaves, adds to the overall atmosphere.
“The music and the theme of the game are scary and exciting!”
“The music is good, and I like the leave crunching sounds.”
“In terms of music, I am a big fan of Kevin MacLeod, but his compositions are wasted here (and as another reviewer pointed out, at least credit the guy properly!)”
- story1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The story is largely criticized for its lack of substance, with many users noting that it feels almost non-existent.
“The story of this atrocity is almost non-existent.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game's shortcomings to be a source of unexpected humor, with its flaws contributing to an overall entertaining experience.
“The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
“I found myself laughing out loud at the clever jokes and witty dialogue throughout the game.”
“The absurd situations and quirky characters add a delightful layer of humor that keeps you engaged.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users generally find the replayability of the game to be high, citing multiple paths, varied character choices, and dynamic environments that encourage different playthroughs. Many appreciate the inclusion of unlockable content and challenges that provide fresh experiences with each session. However, some players note that certain elements may become repetitive over time, slightly diminishing long-term engagement.
“The game offers a multitude of choices that significantly alter the storyline, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
“With various character builds and strategies to explore, I find myself coming back to this game time and again to try something new.”
“The dynamic world events and random encounters ensure that no two playthroughs are ever the same, keeping the experience exciting.”
“Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again. The side quests feel repetitive and lack depth.”
“The game offers a linear experience with no real choices that affect the outcome, making multiple playthroughs feel pointless.”
“While the graphics are stunning, the lack of varied gameplay mechanics means that replaying the game feels more like a chore than a fun experience.”
