Nocturnal is a platformer from Sunnyside Games, sending the soldier Ardashir to the Mist-shrouded island of Nahran in search of his missing sister. The complete run finishes in about two hours and fifteen minutes, with level selection opening the island afterwards.
Fire is the heart of the design, with the sword igniting to burn away the Mist, light braziers and destroy otherwise-invincible enemies. The same flame heals when held, making the destructive force double as the healing resource.
The flame economy shapes every room, with the fire draining over time and water dousing it completely. One-time torches re-light the sword, and inside the Mist the choice between healing and keeping the flame for combat is constant.
The throwable dagger is a joy, with its slow-motion aiming, return-on-impact and ability to break mist bridges and shoot orb-switches. The upgrade shrines stretch the build across fire duration, fire speed, healing and health.
The empowered flame state is the highlight, with the infinite flame, air dash and screen-clearing burn turning the mid-game into a power fantasy. The prayer altars and lore pages build the island’s mythology through eleven scattered writings.
The trial-and-error rooms are the main frustration, with falling platforms and hidden traps readable only after a death. The combat stays basic, with the same three strikes carrying most fights and only the fire wave adding options.
Overall, the fire identity, the empowered state and the dagger make this a tight, enjoyable action platformer. The trial-and-error rooms and the basic combat are the main caveats.