Review: Mists of Noyah on PS5

There are countless games out there with captivating premises that, unfortunately, don’t quite hit the mark in execution. While the old adage advises against judging a book by its cover, in the gaming sphere, it’s crucial to fulfill promises. We’ve seen too many times where developers hype us with the promise of an extraordinary experience, only to fall short. No Man’s Sky is perhaps the most famous instance of this. Now, don’t get me wrong—it’s evolved into an excellent game, and I wholeheartedly agree. However, I played it on the first day, swept up by the excitement, and found myself let down. This isn’t a bash on Hello Games; they’ve done an impressive turnaround and deserve every accolade. But consider it a cautionary tale for other developers who fail to follow through. This brings us to our game on the PS5 today, Mists of Noyah. On paper, it promises to redefine genres, but as we delve deeper, we’ll see how it fails to live up to expectations.

Imagine a game that merges the crafting aspects of Terraria with rogue-like Metroidvania elements, promising a world of exploration that changes with every playthrough. A game with incredible crafting and exploration elements seems like an adventure many would eagerly dive into. If only Mists of Noyah felt complete, it might have been just that. Sadly, it feels like what could have been a fantastic game now seems somewhat neglected.

Upon starting up Mists of Noyah, arriving at the character select screen had me eager to explore what my chosen hero could achieve. The concept was thrilling: protect your village from night-time terrors while foraging and building during daylight for survival. The stakes were clear—stray too far for resources, and not only would I be in danger, but so would the villagers I was meant to safeguard. Yet, the excitement was short-lived when I found myself suddenly wandering aimlessly in a forest.

Mists of Noyah lacks any form of tutorial. The expectation appears to be for players to dive in and figure things out themselves, which isn’t necessarily a negative. I enjoy being presented with basic controls and allowed to uncover the rest through gameplay. I don’t even expect a dense story right from the start; I appreciate a narrative puzzle to solve. These elements build suspense and mystery. However, this time it seemed like someone couldn’t be bothered to include the necessary guidance.

I quickly picked up the basics—jumping across platforms, vanquishing foes, and harvesting resources like trees and rocks. I managed to complete my initial task of crafting a set of wooden armor but not without fumbling through menus. It felt like I was pressing buttons randomly to see what would happen—a less than desirable way to play a game. When I inevitably died, I was thrown back to the start, left to attempt the level again under the cover of night, still bewildered by what I was truly meant to accomplish.

Nighttime in the game introduces formidable enemies, and my flimsy bow barely made a dent. I was forced into evasion, merely leaping over threats to progress, just attempting to find the village I assumed I should have begun in. After multiple setbacks and repeated areas, I finally stumbled upon the village, only to be met with yet another layer of confusion.

The village aspect felt as unfinished as the game’s start. Vendors were present, yet they had no dialogue. I had the task of determining what they sold on my own. Many items held little significance because I had no idea of their purpose. Spending my hard-earned gold became a guessing game, unsure if my purchases would benefit me or not at this juncture. There was even a fairy offering dungeon excursions. Intrigued, I selected an easy run, only to be eliminated nearly immediately by the first creature.

Determined to give Mists of Noyah a fair shot, I ventured into various biomes. However, these zones were merely rehashed woodland settings with altered landscapes. Transitioning from tundra to desert and back without an understanding of my goals was frustrating. Despite decent combat and acceptable level design, I lacked motivation. The day-to-night cycle concept could have added challenge and intrigue, but it only compounded my confusion.

There’s a clock perpetually ticking in one corner—a mechanic designed to measure time till nightfall and the consequential village raids. This nuance could be clever, instilling a sense of urgency. However, it inadvertently punishes players in a title that reveals little. Imagine discovering a twelve-page scroll of game lore, only to find the world’s clock continues without pause—as you attempt to absorb the narrative, you’re vulnerable to death. Perhaps this was intentional by the developers, yet it feels more like an oversight. The game cries out for an auto-pause function that simply isn’t there.

Mists of Noyah is like an incomplete fragment of a potentially decent game. The story is sparse, leaving you disconnected without knowing the objective. It appears the developers launched it prematurely, perhaps eager to move on. It’s tough to invest in a game the creators seemingly released unfinished, so why should we invest our money and time? The visual appeal might entice some, but as the British say, it’s "all fur coat and no knickers." With the right foundations and depth, this review could have been markedly different.

If Mists of Noyah was still in Early Access, expectations would allow for some flexibility in critique. However, charging £8.00 for such an incomplete experience feels almost insulting—and that’s just for the PS4/5 edition. The Steam version asks nearly double and, given the years between releases, it seems like little more than a cash grab. It’s disappointing to see no significant improvements despite the possibility.

In conclusion, Mists of Noyah is one game you can easily skip. It had the potential to be something great, but what we have is a disorienting shell of a game. It doesn’t feel ready for final release on any platform, let alone a port from an old PC edition. Save your money for something more polished and rewarding.

Lost in the mists

Look and feel: 7/10
Story: 3/10
UI: 4/10
Value for money: 3/10

Overall Score: 4.3/10

Wasted potential

Mists of Noyah seems like a game better suited for Early Access. The vision is apparent, but the execution isn’t there. Key elements that could have made it enjoyable and coherent are missing. What remains is a visually appealing sandbox filled with potential but lacking effective implementation. You’re better off investing your time and money elsewhere.