$16.99Nocturnal Carve through the Mist with fire
Fight through a fog-choked island, spending your flame on every swing, light and healing before it runs dry.
Is Nocturnal worth it?
Nocturnal is worth it if…
- you want a tight action-platformer you can finish in an evening
- you like one strong mechanic explored thoroughly rather than many shallow ones
- you enjoy atmospheric 2D worlds with hand-drawn art and a dark, moody tone
- you are new to the genre and want a welcoming place to start
- you like hunting collectibles and lore across short, replayable levels
Screenshots
One flame against the Mist
The whole game hangs on a single idea: your sword's fire is the only thing the Mist fears. Step into the dark with a cold blade and you do not last long, so you sprint between torches, re-ignite your steel and push on before the flame gutters out. The Mist is not a static wall either, it creeps and reacts to your fire. That pressure shapes everything: where you go, when you fight, when you rush. The same fire that keeps you alive also lights braziers, triggers old mechanisms and sets the environment alight. It even heals you, but healing means letting the flame die for a moment, your only shield against the dark. Mid-fight, that trade stings in the best way.
Combat, skills and ash
Fighting is quick and fluid: a flaming blade deals burn damage, and parries, combos and charged attacks keep encounters moving. Enemies fall to ash, which you offer at Phoenix statues for new skills and bonuses, including moves like parry and counterattack. The skill tree is small enough to max out in one run, which fits a game this length. Difficulty is approachable rather than punishing: liberal checkpoints mean a death costs you seconds, not progress, and if the pace is too hot you can slow enemies down in the settings. The standout moments are the chase sequences, where the Mist hunts you through dangerous terrain while you juggle limited fire, enemies and a puzzle all at once. Those sections are where everything the game teaches clicks together.
What should you know before playing?
Is it hard for someone new to action-platformers?
It leans accessible. Checkpoints are generous, healing is available even mid-combat, and the settings let you slow enemies down if the default pace is too much. You can still die if you get careless, especially in chase sections, but the game rarely spikes into frustration. Skilled players can chase faster times instead.
Is there anything to do after beating it?
Yes. The short levels are built for replay: you can revisit them to hunt collectibles and hidden lore pages, and the game offers speedrun modes for players who want to race their own best times. Since a full run is so brief, cleaning up secrets never turns into a chore.
