Nocturnal, developed by Sunnyside Games and published by Dear Villagers, gives us a side-scrolling action platformer with a unique twist. As Ardeshir, a soldier of the Enduring Flame, players embark on a perilous journey to uncover the mysteries hidden beneath the suffocating Mist shrouding the island of Nahran. But while Nocturnal showcases a strong core mechanic with intriguing puzzles and impressive visuals, it falls a little short some areas that could have used a little more polish.
The premise of Nocturnal revolves around Ardeshir’s quest to liberate his home island of Nahran from the clutches of the enigmatic Mist. However, the narrative lacks the depth needed to truly engage players beyond this interesting core premise. NPCs are presented without voiced dialogue, leaving them forgettable and the story feeling somewhat skeletal. Despite this, the game features texts and victims of the Mist that help shed light on the island’s secrets, but although they offer lore elements to those who are interested they never really stuck with us.
Nocturnal’s core mechanic sets it apart from other action platformers. Ardeshir wields a flaming sword, using fire as both a means of combating enemies and dispelling the Mist. The sword’s flame has a timer, necessitating frequent re-ignition from the torches scattered throughout the island. Lighting torches also serves as a mechanism to open doors and reveal hidden paths, introducing interesting puzzles into the gameplay. Combined with the excellent aesthetic, this was one of our favorite parts of the game.
Unlockable abilities and upgrades add depth to the experience, allowing for an extended duration of the flame or increased health. However, the platforming aspects can be frustrating due to imprecise jumping mechanics, which become problematic in situations requiring precise timing. And while the combat is decent, it lacks the innovation and inspiration that could have made it stand out from other games in the genre.
Nocturnal adopts an attractive hand-painted art style, departing from the common retro pixel art seen in many indie Metroidvania games. The environments, inspired by Arabic and Mediterranean themes, contribute to the game’s overall atmosphere, as do the lighting and aforementioned fire effects. Together, they effectively convey the ominous nature of the Mist, bring Nocturnal to life. However, the absence of a good in-game map makes navigation challenging, leading to unnecessary backtracking that could have been avoided.
The sound design and music in Nocturnal are understated, focusing on evoking an exotic ambiance through subtle melodies and Middle Eastern rhythms. While this minimalist approach complements the game’s visuals, it falls short of creating a truly memorable audio experience and we wish the game had a soundtrack to match the lovely visuals. With a bit more polish, this could have been a real standout action platformer. Right now, it’s just a good one worth checking out.
Score: 7.3/10
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