Review: Mists of Noyah for PS5

There are way too many games out there where the initial concept shines bright but when you actually play it, the magic just isn’t there. In the gaming sphere, it’s crucial that developers follow through on their promises, and we’ve all seen what happens when they don’t. Take No Man’s Sky for instance; when it first came out, it didn’t live up to all the hype, and I was quite let down. However, I must admit, it’s turned into something fantastic now, and credit goes where credit’s due for Hello Games powering through. This brings us to a game on the PS5 today, Mists of Noyah. On paper, it sounds groundbreaking, but as we’ll explore, the execution just doesn’t hold up to expectations.

Now, imagine a game that combines crafting mechanics like Terraria’s with a roguelike Metroidvania vibe. Sounds intriguing, right? A world that’s new with each playthrough, where exploration is vital and crafting immersive—many of us would be eager to dive in. If Mists of Noyah felt complete, it would likely be a hit. Sadly, it ends up feeling neglected, leaving players yearning for more.

When I launched Mists of Noyah and landed on the character selection screen, I was pumped to see what adventures awaited. This game promised the thrill of defending a village from night-time monsters, gathering resources by day to prepare. I imagined moments of high tension, where overextending could mean doom for me and the villagers. But then, I started in a forest, and things felt off from the get-go.

A major drawback of Mists of Noyah is its lack of a tutorial. The game seemingly expects you to work things out independently, which can work if done right. I don’t mind figuring things out with a simple control guide and a vague goal. Uncovering a narrative piece by piece can build intrigue, but here, it feels more like an oversight than a clever design choice.

While I soon managed to grasp the basic controls, navigating the game involved a lot of button mashing through menus without a clear sense of direction. Completing a quest to craft wooden armor came more from luck than knowledge. Dying and restarting without learning much only added to the confusion, especially come nightfall when tougher enemies appeared.

My character’s bow proved almost useless against the stronger nighttime foes, leading me to simply avoid them rather than confront them. It felt pointless to explore, despite feeling certain a village was nearby. After multiple tries and some frustrating deaths, I finally stumbled upon the village, only to face more bewilderment.

The village seemed half-baked. Vendors were silent, offering items whose purposes were unclear, making it tricky to spend my hard-earned gold wisely. A fairy offered dungeon runs, but without guidance, I picked an easy one only to be swiftly obliterated by the first enemy. I ventured into different biomes, hoping for a better experience.

Unfortunately, these biomes were basically just variations of the forest setting, albeit with desert and icy themes. The transitions felt abrupt and random, and with no clear mission in sight, the game felt aimless. Combat was okay, and levels well-constructed, but I struggled to stay invested without a clear sense of purpose.

The game’s concept of real-time day and night cycles was intriguing in theory. As the clock ticked towards the next monster raid, the pressure should have been exhilarating. Yet, in a game lacking direction where menus and interfaces require close attention, a constantly running clock became a hindrance.

I finally managed to purchase a scroll in the village, revealing a part of the storyline. But this small victory was short-lived as the clock kept ticking while I tried to read the lengthy twelve-page narrative. In a game where piecing together the story is key, the chance of being attacked mid-read suggests a design flaw or oversight.

Mists of Noyah presents itself as a game missing essential components. It barely offers a narrative to engage with and thrusts you into a world that feels incomplete. Attempting to play feels more like a test of patience than a journey through an exciting universe. The appealing visuals can’t mask the half-hearted development effort. The old saying “all style and no substance” rings true here.

If Mists of Noyah were in Early Access, this might be forgivable. However, asking players to spend around £8.00 on the console version is frustrating, and charging nearly double that on Steam, unchanged over several years, feels like exploitation.

Ultimately, Mists of Noyah is easily skipped. It had potential but ended up being a confusing and unfinished experience. It doesn’t seem fit for final release, lacking the polish expected nowadays, particularly for a game essentially ported from an older PC version. Save your money and invest it in something deserving of your time.