Nocturnal
Side-scrolling action adventure where a flaming sword repels mist
Sunnyside Games · Published by Dear Villagers · Released Jun 7, 2023
- Reviews
- Very Positive
- 94% of 5,156
- Recent reviews
- Very Positive
- 95% of 21 in 30 days
- Playing now
- 26
- peak 24h 37
- Steam Deck
- Verified
- Last update
- 11 months ago
- Oct 10, 2025
Metacritic: 81/100 (critic reviews)
What is Nocturnal?
Ardeshir returns to his island homeland after a mysterious Mist throws it into chaos. In this linear, side-scrolling action adventure, you fight creatures, cross platforming sections, and use a flaming sword to push back the Mist, ignite objects, and activate mechanisms. Exploration and combat yield ash you can spend at Phoenix statues on skills and bonuses.
For you if...
- +you prefer short, linear side-scrolling adventures
- +you enjoy combat built around managing a flame
- +you value hand-drawn visuals and a moody atmosphere
Not for you if...
- −you want a long adventure with open-ended exploration
- −you dislike repeatedly lighting torches to keep moving
- −you want varied combat and extensive skill progression
What players say
94% of 5,156 reviews are positive · 95% of 21 in the last 30 days
Players praise the art, flame effects, and responsive combat. They criticize repetitive torch lighting, basic combat, and the short length for the asking price. Some also report hard-to-read routes and screen shake they cannot disable.
Screenshots and trailer
Nocturnal system requirements
As published by the developer.
Minimum
- OS
- Windows 7 64-bit
- Processor
- Intel Core i7-3610QM or AMD Ryzen 5 3500U
- Graphics
- GeForce GT 650M or Radeon HD 4870 X2
- Memory
- 8 GB RAM
- Storage
- 2 GB available space
PC version details
DRM, required accounts, controller support and Steam features.
- DRM
- None declared on Steam
- Controller
- Full controller support
- Platforms
- Windows
- Achievements
- 11
- Steam features
- Cloud saves, Family Sharing
Steam Deck: Verified
- All functionality is accessible with the default controller configuration
- Shows Steam Deck controller icons
- In-game text is legible on Steam Deck
- Default graphics settings perform well on Steam Deck
Multiplayer and co-op
Languages
Text only: English, French, German, Spanish - Spain, Simplified Chinese, Portuguese - Brazil, Traditional Chinese, Japanese.
Tags
- Side Scroller
- Action-Adventure
- Exploration
- Linear
- Action
- 2D Platformer
- Platformer
- Hand-drawn
- Mystery
- Indie
- Combat
- 2D
- Dark
- Singleplayer
- Soundtrack
- Adventure
Recent updates
- Oct 10, 2025 · Important Security Update Available ✅
2 DLC available.
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