There’s nothing quite like the letdown when a game doesn’t live up to its initial promise. In the gaming world, the anticipation can sometimes set us up for disappointment. A vivid example of this is No Man’s Sky. While it’s now recognized as a solid game, I can recall the letdown on the first day—a result of all the extensive hype that wasn’t initially met. To be fair, Hello Games did a great job improving it over time, and they deserve kudos for that. However, it does serve as a lesson for all developers who fail to fulfill their initial promises. And so, we turn our attention to Mists of Noyah on the PS5. It has all the makings of a genre-defining title on paper, yet what we experience doesn’t quite meet those lofty expectations.
Imagine blending the crafting adventure of Terraria with the exploration of a roguelike Metroidvania. Now, wouldn’t that sound exciting? Unfortunately, Mists of Noyah, which has the potential to deliver such a unique experience, feels unfinished and somewhat neglected.
From the very onset, when I landed on the character selection screen, I couldn’t wait to dive in and see how my chosen hero fared. The premise—a village under threat, gathering resources by day to fend off nighttime horrors—had me curious. I envisioned frantic races against time, protecting not just myself but an entire village, only to find myself alone, confused in a forest right from the start.
The absence of a tutorial in Mists of Noyah is noteworthy. While it seems like the game aims to challenge you to figure things out solo, it doesn’t provide even the slightest bit of guidance to make this self-discovery enjoyable. Sure, I’m all for uncovering mysteries and piecing the story together, but here, it seemed more like a lack of effort than a deliberate choice to build suspense.
Quickly, I muddled through some basic controls, leaping between platforms and dispatching foes. I learned to gather wood and stone, eventually crafting a set of wooden armor. However, most accomplishments felt accidental, achieved by randomly stumbling through game menus, rather than true milestones.
A dramatic change comes with nightfall: the enemies become stronger, and I quickly realized my humble bow was woefully inadequate. The sensible strategy became avoiding combat altogether, sprinting past adversaries in a bid to finally locate the village—an experience as frustrating as it was aimless.
Once in the village, the confusion only deepened. Vendor interactions provided no clarity, with zero dialogue to indicate what each offered. It led to frustration with spending in-game currency without understanding the true value of what I was buying. Trying a seemingly simple dungeon run added to the perplexity—the first foe I encountered defeated me instantly.
Exploring different in-game biomes didn’t provide much relief either. They seemed like mere visual tweaks to the original woodland setting with icy and desert elements added in. These environments transitioned without rhyme or reason, and without a clear objective, it was hard to find the motivation to continue.
The game does include a day-night cycle that’s essential to its setup. However, the non-stop ticking clock becomes more of a nuisance than a feature. Pausing to read a twelve-page story scroll, only to find time hasn’t paused and your character is vulnerable to attacks while doing so, seems like a critical oversight rather than intentional design.
Ultimately, Mists of Noyah feels like a hollow shell of what it could have been. The screen may showcase a visually appealing landscape, but without substance, it quickly loses its appeal. It raises the question: if developers don’t complete a game, why should players invest in it?
If this release was marketed as Early Access, my perspective might be more forgiving. However, charging £8.00 (and even more on Steam) is unreasonable for an unfinished product. Truthfully, it feels more like a cash grab than a genuine desire to provide a polished gaming experience over time.
In summary, Mists of Noyah is one to skip. While the potential was there, it remains unrealized in this iteration. For the amount being asked, you’d be better off saving your money for something that delivers an enjoyable and complete gaming experience.
