Aeterna Noctis Reviews
Aeterna Noctis has a lot of potential; however, it feels like the developer got a bit too ambitious. A game that was shorter and had more focus has the potential to be something fantastic. but it ends up being a bit of a slog for a lot of its runtime due to its sometimes-tedious difficulty, despite some great platforming segments. Long loads and some frustrating design choices mean Aeterna Noctis is a derivative but sporadically satisfying game that some players may absolutely fall in love with. It has clearly had a lot of love put into it, but we didn't quite vibe with it.
Aeterna Noctis is not just another metroidvania, its firm commitment to platforming and its lack of scruples when it comes to being demanding give shape to a video game with character that also stands out for its production values, its progression system, for displaying a world as beautiful as it is enormous and for a soundtrack of those that can be listened to over and over again.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Although it drags some defects and the port is not as perfect as we would like, we have enjoyed Aeterna Noctis on Nintendo Switch. In fact, it has hooked us more than the original, thanks to fantastic additions such as the Aeternal mode. If you have not played it or abandoned it because of its difficulty, now is the best time.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
A metroidvania mixed with a bit of soulsvania that doesn't know what it wants to be and tries a bit of everything, without really succeeding in any particular aspect.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aeterna Noctis is everything expected of a metroidvania: extensive, demanding, cryptic and, above all, ready for mastery. Although multiple design decisions tarnish what would otherwise be a masterpiece without hesitation, it is pleasing and recommended for every fan of the genre, especially given its impressive artistic work and wonderful mythology.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Huge and difficult to say enough, Aeterna Noctis proposes a metroidvania experience only suitable for the most skilled. Its difficulty can be a problem if platform games are not your thing, but if you like great challenges you will not be able to let go of the controller.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If the only console you own is a Switch, then Aeterna Noctis is a very good Metroidvania. I’d put it a tier lower than the best of the best in the genre, but still better than most, because of its excellent gameplay. If you own a PS5, Xbox, or PC, then the Switch should be the last version you play. The camera is too zoomed-out for handheld mode, and the framerate is very choppy compared to the other smooth versions. I wish I could also report on how the PS4 and Xbox One versions compared to the next gen versions. They were all planned for the same release day, and ended up taking another year to become available, so I would assume they are all downgrades that had to be quality compromised.
Ultimately, although there’s a distinct feeling of déjà vu when playing Aeterna Noctis thanks to its unmistakable similarities to Hollow Knight, it thankfully manages to nail the most important elements in a Metroidvania: exploration and combat.
Overall, Aeterna Noctis is a solid experience with some notable flaws that aren't deal-breakers, but could definitely benefit from a bit more refinement. What it does do quite well is find where its two genres intersect and craft a world and gameplay loop that highlight them quite well. For fans of these kinds of games, Aeterna Noctis is definitely worth picking up.
Aeterna Noctis is a stunning Metroidvania that incorporates the many assets of the genre into one magnificent experience. Combining systematic combat and accurate platforming, the game is varied and challenging.
Aeterna Noctis is a product all in all enjoyable, but that wastes the potential in the useless attempt to chase Hollow Knight too closely. The good artistic direction, the excellent combat system and the well-conceived boss fights end up being suffocated by a linear and tedious progression, victim in turn of the desire to want to fill the game with content even when you do not feel any need.
Review in Italian | Read full review
If you have to play just one metroidvania this 2021, then it definitely has to be Aeterna Noctis, an indie title that can fight hand in hand with any production that is not a debutant. Creative ideas on an already established and proven basis, proof that effort and perseverance in this genre, as in other fields of life, is profitable.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Aeterna Noctis is a delightfully difficult Metroidvania that pushes the boundaries of difficult platforming and combat in a way that keeps the game fun and exhilarating. This hand-drawn action platformer is perfect for those who wanted just a bit more from similar games in the Metroidvania genre, albeit less charming. If you're looking for a solid indie GOTY that effectively utilizes your PS5, look no further than Aeterna Noctis. Good luck, you'll most definitely need it.
Aeterna Noctis is an amazing example of how a developer can mix together gameplay elements from many popular platformers of the past few years to construct something greater than the sum of its parts. While it owes a gameplay debt to games like Hollow Knight, Dark Souls, and Castlevania, Aeterna Noctis’ fascinating setting and enjoyable gameplay make it easy to appreciate on its own. Its beautiful world and gorgeous soundtrack make exploring Aeterna is a joy, even when its high difficulty is knocking you down over and over. If you’ve been seeking your next Metroidvania fix, Aeterna Noctis is definitely worth diving into.
If a challenge is what you’re after, you’ll find it within Aeterna Noctis. There’s still plenty to appreciate and enjoy if that’s up your alley, but it doesn’t do enough to allow its concept to stand out from the competition.
Aeterna Noctis is a clone of the biggest games in the genre, with few good gameplay mechanics and too many issues caused by an imperfect polishing.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Aeterna Noctis does deliver a satisfying metroidvania experience, but that is all it does. It won’t stay with you or leave a lasting impression other than fatigue. It might have been a better game if it were 25 hours instead of 60; that way it could condense its best aspects into a reasonable package.
Pit of the Damned adds a good amount of content and fixes some of the main issues found in Aeterna Noctis, making it a great choice for new and returning players.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Although Aeternum Noctis is a solid production, some design decisions prevented the game from reaching its potential.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
If you've played any other Metroidvania, just think about hitting a load screen for every single screen transition and you can quickly realize why that can be a real downer. The visuals also feel like they have too much motion blur on them or some kind of video compression effect that just leads to a muddy look. Maybe someone out there can find some enjoyment here and have fun with its edgelord protagonist and odd design choices, but this was just not a game for me.