Developer: Pxyserailia
Platforms: Linux, macOS, PC (Reviewed), PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Action, RPG, Survival
Publisher: Pxyserailia, QUByte Interactive
Mists of Noyah is a survival game with RPG elements. This game was developed by Pyxeralia. Mists of Noyah is published by Pxyserailia and QUByte Interactive. Mists of Noyah is similar to other games like Abathor, Magicite and more. This review was done for the PC, but the game is also available for Xbox, Switch, PlayStation and Linux.
Mists of Noyah is a single-player/multiplayer game. The multiplayer game allows up to 20 players in a server, but the game currently has five playable characters. As we played this game, we played in a party of five/three where each player was a different character. The multiplayer servers do not lag much: they work almost similarly to Terraria, where character save files can transfer between worlds. This is quite a nice feature, meaning you can level up your character in your own world and then join your friend’s world afterwards. Multiplayer can be done through Steam, where you share an invite code with friends or through IP. There is a disclaimer in the game that the Steam multiplayer in certain regions is unstable, but we had no issues with this (we played with people in Europe and Asia). The game does not differ in multiplayer or single-player but is rather the same, just that one allows you to play with others. The game is only online multiplayer and does not have local co-op.
The controls for Mists of Noyah are decent to work around. The game has no tutorial or tips throughout the gameplay, which can be a bit annoying for new players. Mists of Noyah is a game that features several mechanics, and with there being no tips or proper information for some of the mechanics, it can be a bit annoying to work around. Most controls are simple enough: like, movement, interaction and the power keys/shortcuts are shown at the bottom of the screen. The main issue was that there did not seem to be any guidance: for example, when I interacted with the enchanting table, I was confused about what item needed to be added in order to enchant weapons/tools, so I had left it for the meantime. Besides some mechanics, others come quite easily, and the inference can be done easily as well, so you can actually tell what needs to be done. For example, after completing a certain number of quests, you can unlock chests, similar to ridding of corruption.
The art style of this game is vibrant and aesthetically pleasing. It has a pixelated look with a retro vibe to it. The visuals are definitely unique, as they seem to resemble something out of a fantasy book. The 2D 16-bit visuals make it resemble the game Castlevania, with daunting enemies and bright animations. One of my favourite animations are the character dashes, where you see an aura shadow that follows the character. The visuals are well-drawn, and the music is enjoyable. Different colour blocks on the map represent a different ‘biome’ that has enemies designed to fit the landscape and atmosphere. For example, in the ice biome, you would find a Mammoth or ice bats. The music also matches the vibes of the areas, which is something I quite liked. The visuals are tied together with dynamic lighting, colour, and detailed background/foreground that add to each landscape.
I quite enjoyed the game because it throws you into this world where you have to figure things out by yourself and progress in a way that seems fit to you. The grinding is a requirement, but it’s not boring grinding but rather fun. Being able to kill enemies that vary in level to gain XP and coins is a great way to level up that lets you unlock talent/perk points. All these can be used to unlock additional attacks and abilities that can help you fight mobs/bosses even better. Perks include increasing damage, shield, mana, health and more. Mist of Noyah does feature five playable characters, and each has a different skill set from the other. One is heavily focused on magic, another relies on its attack, and stats and descriptions can be found in the character selection, where you can read upon the character to fit your liking. Something I have done is create a character profile for each so I can switch between who I want to play for each run. The premise of the game is to collect resources, build up equipment, trek through platforming levels, build up your village and much more. The game has so much to offer and even comes with surprises the more you play. At first, I was so confused as to why there was a day/night cycle in the game, only to find out that certain mobs spawn at a certain time and tower defence can be initiated every seven days. These features make the game so much more interactive and fun. Not only that, but the game includes fishing, dungeons, cooking, building, farming, trading, exploring and boss fights. Mists of Noyah definitely has a lot of gameplay to offer, which is perfect for the price you are playing, not to mention it’s quite fun.
Three of the other people we played this game with had the following comments to say about Mists of Noyah. First, Randomnamez said the following, “Mists of Noyah is a survival game that borrows elements from multiple gaming styles, such as RPGs, Metroidvania, dungeon crawlers, and platformers. It is a retro-looking 2D pixelated and highly stylised game that looks great. It also boasts a co-op mode, which can support up to 20 players, but 5 is probably the maximum for the best experience of the game. I played in a group of 3 players, and the co-op was great fun. I found the gaming experience engaging despite a few issues.
The first part of the game tells you very little about what you need to do and how to use every mechanic in the game, from levelling up to making items. I enjoy finding these mechanics out through playing the game and learning from my teammates as opposed to being spoon-fed everything. It was a frustration that members of my group experienced early on; the ability to have a tutorial mode would make the game appeal to many more players and make it more accessible. Some quests and events were spelt out to the player; however, there is an assumption that you will figure out the crafting mechanics and levelling up mechanics yourself, which needs to be clarified.
The map and visual representation could use some enhancement. They are super basic, and you can’t see where your fellow co-op players are, which makes the map a bit useless when you die in the game. Trying to find your teammates can be a pain. The portals to the world aren’t particularly intuitive, either. Another issue is that if there is a storyline, I may have missed it.
I love the mix of crafting, gathering, fighting, puzzle, and platform game mechanics. The game is rich in gameplay mechanics, and I found the combat and levelling enjoyable once I got the hang of it. The combat is fun, and the ability to unlock more combat elements and magic for your character helped me to progress through each stage and collect as many power-ups as possible. Levelling up and crafting weapons was a small element of the gameplay, but it helped make farming feel less like a grind when I could upgrade my tools. Each character has its strengths and weaknesses, and having a balanced team in co-op enhanced the game experience and made it much more fun and engaging.
Apart from the map, the levels, and the characters, the presentation is fantastic pixel art. I can’t fault the majority of the gameplay, which involves enemies randomly spawning at times and strange difficulty settings; it goes from easy to difficult in the blink of an eye.”
Second, Genno said the following, “Mists of Noyah is a game that portrays the nostalgic charm of classic Metroidvania adventures and cohesive gameplay. The freedom to explore and uncover the world’s mysteries makes mastering the controls and abilities both rewarding and essential, which kept me deeply engaged. The simplicity of the gameplay, combined with stunning animation and beautifully crafted pixel art, provides a great challenge to embark on. Each stage feels original, and the meticulously illustrated bosses add a unique flair, while the smooth gameplay, especially when switching between characters, enhances the overall experience.
While the open-world design encourages exploration, the lack of initial guidance left me somewhat disoriented. A brief introduction to the crafting system or level mechanics, perhaps delivered through an in-game character, would help players find their footing without compromising the open-ended nature of the game. Additionally, the NPCs in the village, though functional, feel underdeveloped. If these characters were more interactive, offering missions or deeper dialogue, it would make the world feel more immersive and engaging.
The co-op mode is particularly enjoyable, surpassing the single-player experience in terms of fun and interaction. While solo play allows for focused character development and item collection, it can feel isolating. In contrast, teaming up with friends to defeat the final boss brings a sense of shared achievement that’s deeply satisfying. Although the game’s fantasy elements and adventurous spirit are appealing, adding more personality to the NPCs and expanding the character roster would enhance the experience, making Mists of Noyah even more memorable and engaging.”
Lastly, Vroggo said the following, “Features I liked about Mist of Noyah were the many familiar RPG elements in the game. Namely, the skill tree, monster fights, item/food crafting, and the dungeon raiding. I also liked the manoeuvrability (dashing + double jumps) in-game that can be incorporated while fighting monsters or moving around between platforms.
However, what I didn’t like was that the map did not outline structures/platforms in the “room”, which would be a nice quality-of-life update since players can get confused trying to remember the layouts of each “room”. I also thought that manoeuvring underwater was irritating, specifically how slow it is for the characters to sink in. And lastly, the game just forces the player to figure out all the in-game mechanics without much of a tutorial during their first run of the game.
The game itself is fun, especially with friends. Since the monsters can get more difficult to fight and would require some grinding to increase your level, playing with friends alleviates some of the difficulty of the game and makes the game more fun to play. Especially for me since I gained Ninn, who lacked damage and defence but made up for it with her support skills. My game did lag quite a few times throughout our session, enough to be noticed but not quite as frequently to affect the gaming experience.
Just some additional information: I believe I found a bug on floor “S2”. I somehow got stuck between a ladder and a wall without being able to get out. I eventually had to wait for some monsters to get to me so that I could respawn and move around again.”
If you’re looking for a fun survival game with many RPG elements, then this game might interest you. It allows you to play with a number of friends who can choose from five intriguing playable characters. The game features boss fights, crafting, cooking, exploring, levelling up, and even taking on dungeons. The game has striking 2D visuals that are well-rounded with a thrilling and calming soundtrack. This game features an endless amount of gameplay that you can enjoy with friends or yourself. So be sure to check out Mists of Noyah.
Overall: 9/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
