Noctuary review

Noctuary for the Switch confidently combines the rich visual novel storytelling with hectic real-time combat, creating a distinctive experience that will appeal most to fans of character-driven narratives. Throughout the adventure, visual novel segments dominate. As such, you might find yourself immersed in dialogue and character motivations for long stretches of time, especially in the first half of the game.

Fortunately, the visual novel segments are rich and supported by an in-game index that helps to explain Noctuary’s involved lore. Expect about 70% of your time with the game exploring the exposition. Frequently, an hour’s worth of dialogue and decision-making will be punctuated by brief bursts of action. But the lush world-building and vibrant cast aren’t just window dressing. Instead, they deliver enough charm and intrigue to keep those who appreciate narrative invested across the 20+ hour trek.

Palpable Tensions Between Light and Darkness

Noctuary’s plotline centers on Fancia Dream and Alina Nightsong, a pair of best friends and aspiring Arborangers, who reside in luminous world of Inlixaland. Born from flowers and filled with light, the pair have trained to protect their society from creatures known as Darkritters who threaten their realm’s peaceful existence.

But Fancia and Alina’s journey of self-discovery takes an expected turn when the duo finds a mysterious girl who fell out of the sky. Upon gaining consciousness, the woman’s disjointed memories gradually reveal deeper truths. Over time, the pair of Arborangers discover that their world might be an illusion produced within someone else’s dream.

This realization forces them to determine whether to live in an artificial reality or face a tough truth to save their society. Player choices shape the story, leading to multiple endings and a story that tackles themes of friendship, hope, and sacrifice. Best of all, developer Gratesca Studio’s localization largely avoids the grammar errors and typos that seem to plague many modern translations.

Might Meets Light in Real-Time Encounters

When combat inevitably breaks out, Noctuary uses dynamic dual-protagonist system that provides a pleasing dose of variety. Interestingly, you’re able to freely swap between Fancia and Alina during real-time battles, harnessing each character’s distinct skillsets.

Both protagonists have access to three combat styles, each with their own combos and special attacks. Additionally, well-timed character changes can trigger powerful synergy moves, providing some tactical depth. Bullet hell elements and diverse enemy types contribute to the challenge, demanding attentive dodging and quick reflexes.

The Intermittent Flicker Doesn’t Detract from Radiance

Admittedly, combat isn’t without its flaws. AI for your party members can be underwhelming, so you’re responsible for the bulk of the work. The action ramps up in the second half. And some might find the difficulty spikes and intermittent pacing of battles to be frustrating at times.

On the upside, you can freely switch between two difficulty settings, which can alleviate some of the aggravation. Likewise, the ability to customize your playstyle through strategic skill loadouts and Blessing Petals can inject additional assistance, while providing a bit of autonomy.

Smooth Performance and Striking Visuals

Pleasingly, performance on the Switch is generally smooth, with the game’s sumptuous art style and striking character designs elevating the game. Thankfully, load times are reasonable, and battles run at a largely stable frame rate, upholding the intensity of the game’s real-time encounters. Character portraits in visual novel segments might not have a wealth of expressions, but the anime-styled artistry is impressive. Meanwhile, the game’s CGs are opulent masterpieces, that necessitate revisiting.

Noctuary is a visually stunning, story-driven title that backs its battles with a wealth of motivation. Undoubtedly, the game emphasizes character development and narrative richness over the thrills of action. This design decision makes the game a compelling choice for those seeking the delight of a heartfelt journey. While not perfect, Noctuary dispenses a remarkable blend of genres that is sure to resonate with fans of pulpy prose.

Noctuary was played on Switch with review code provided by the publisher.