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I was browsing STOVE store as usual, and as a gamer I tend to gravitate towards indíe titles. That is why when I saw the listing for Nocturnal, I got curious by the swirls of fire against the dark background, and immediately had to try it out.

ABOUT NOCTURNAL

Nocturnal is an Action-Platformer game by Sunnyside Games and published by Dear Villages. You are a traveller, Ardeshir, who recently returned home to see it wrecked by a cloud of black fog, you swing your sword (that can carry fire, which, what the kids call aura farming), and light your way through the darkness.

 MY FIRST IMPRESSIONS

This game is extremely good at setting the tone. The artstyle is dark, bleak, and the white and yellow on your clothes constrasts but still fits in with the gloom and doom around you. The only thing that truly stands out is in fact your sword. 

This game lets you have a sword that can catch on fire, which is the main mechanic. You are much more powerful, much brighter with a glowing piece of steel in hand. 

Personally, the tutorial was intuitive and wonderful to play through, which is great because I got to the meat of the game immediately.

With this flaming weapon, you slash enemies, solve puzzles and return home with a goal in mind. Ardeshir, the character you play as, seems very set in getting to that goal, as he mentions it again and again to everyone he meets.

(No spoilers, obviously!)

This game is not story heavy, however every once in a while, you will meet someone who is not hostile, and willing to have a chat with you. Most of them seem to know you, and comment on how you look, as well as ask how you are. (Newsflash, you (me) are doing terrible, after missing the third jump)

Speaking of jumping, this game has a lot of platforming elements, and you can attack with your flaming swords in some sections, burning up torches and use that to light through the mysterious black cloud. And boy does it get really dark. You can only spend so much in it before it consumes you.

So far, the game has done quite a good job in creating unique and fun puzzles for me to go through. I am. Not good at platforming, however. I keep missing a jump and the fire has already burnt out.

!!!!Now, what do I think now that I have had some time to try out the game?

THE ARTSTYLE:

It is absolutely gorgeous. The lighting, the way the flames draws your attention and how easy it is to spot the flickering flame. Sometimes the whole screen goes black just to show how dangerous it is, and you are the bright contrast running through the darkness.

The effects when you find a flame feels instantly satisfying, and as the flame trails behind you, your scarf flows which allow for a lot of dynamic movement as you traverse the world.

This world looks dull and bleak, and the color scheme is silvery and muted. Even the checkpoints only brighten for a second before leaving you with ash and embers. Whenever there is color, it comes from a light source or close to one, like the light from the torches left for you or the lush tree under the rare light from somewhere unknown. Light turns into a safe space, a beacon, something you run towards and follow.

The player will naturally follow light, which creates really impressive environments. I loved just running around and seeing how the world changes as you light each torch one by one.

THE SOUND DESIGN:

I LOVE THE SOUND DESIGN. THE SOUND DESIGN SLAPS. WHO IS THE CHEF. BECAUSE IT IS COOKING. The sound of your footsteps, the way the flame hits as you swipe, how you jump, how the music works, everything!! Everything is amazing. The sound makes it Very Satisfying to traverse the land you are trying to save.

The combat is very quippy and fast paced, but not too complicated. You get to Slash Dodge and Special. Fire makes you more powerful, and most enemies are dark. Sometimes literally. Enemies hide in the dark, which once again encourages you to infuse your sword with the fire the torches provided. They are plentiful, and very rarely I need to backtrack too far to find one. 

I love the fire as a mechanic, because it symbolizes light and it shows you the way. When in doubt, light a torch. Sometimes the torch explodes. I am still early in the game and I love how creative the puzzles surround the fire so far.

You also get upgrades. There are currency, I am unsure what they are called, but slashing pots and enemies and you get to upgrade under a Phoenix Statue. Hmm. Fire bird of reborn. Interesting.

If you stand under the statue, you get a few different upgrades, all of which makes you increasingly more powerful.

THE STORY:

The story is scattered by gentle talking in beautiful environments all around the world, as well as pages with exposition. So far, I enjoy the little bit of mystery, as the main character is vague enough about his goals but also just clear enough for me to go. Yes, this is a valid and normal reason to run into danger. 

Much left to be answered, though, and I can not wait to find out why everything is the way it is.

All in all, Great Experience so far, and it delivers everything in an absolutely enjoyable way. I love this game so much, and if you are further into the game, feel free to tell me how you feel!