NightCry developed by NudeMaker, and published by Playism Games was released in 2016. It was originally made for the mobile game the PlayStation Vita and the PC. It is one of those survival horror games that has an interesting concept but failed to impress some survival horror fans. Some hated it, and some enjoyed it. I am one of those who love it! After all, it’s all about introspection.
The story takes place on a luxurious cruise ship. There are three playable characters in this game. They are all well-designed and serve their role effectively. Monica’s determined persona, Leonard’s mysterious allure, and Rooney’s relatable charm added depth to the story and gave it a powerful ending. Like it or not, Rooney is a character that lives inside most of us. Some of us only come to life when our lives are threatened. The game developer might have wanted to express this concept by turning the story into a dark comedy. Depending on where you stand, you might find this sort of indirect bullying to be off-putting because you play as Rooney, a depressed college student who becomes stronger and stronger over time as she learns to fight for her life. Is the developer trying to say something about its audience? You see, there’s no “L” sound in the Japanese language so her name is Loony but is pronounced Rooney. Pun intended or not, it’s clear that the developer thinks poorly of Rooney. Her somber, docile nature proves it. You can read an article from Polygon that supports this statement. Now I wonder is that why the game takes place on a cruise ship. The cruise ship may very well be an allegory about rich people who have no reason to be depressed when there are less fortunate people out there who have no time to contemplate death because they are too busy trying to survive. Take Monica for instance, she is the stronger character compared to Rooney. Unlike Rooney, she is a college student with two part-time jobs and a parent to her younger siblings. Death is not a choice; it’s a luxury.
Now let’s talk about the gameplay. The gameplay itself is straightforward, featuring light puzzles, running, and hiding. However, you can’t rely on hiding in the same spot twice and failing to hold your breath properly by pressing the button on the screen can lead you to an early death. There are countless times I laughed at my failings and yet I didn’t find Scissorwalker the antagonist to be menacing. Instead, I think it is humorous. It likes to play peek-a-boo, catching players off guard when they least expect it. Carelessly examining every nook and cranny would trigger its appearance. Nevertheless, it is a necessary risk to take. The constant threat of the Scissorwalker, combined with the character’s limited stamina, forced me to be strategic and always be aware of my surroundings. And this is where some players find it frustrating. It is a point-and-click horror game. I remember struggling to get away from the Scissorwalker in the hallway by repetitively clicking the mouse to run and often dying because it failed to register my command. Yet, it isn’t a huge glaring problem for me as I am more interested in the game’s concept than the experience. In horror games, there should be some struggles–intentional or not. It’s not a horror game if it’s just a walking simulator with pixelated monsters. It becomes a digital, interactive art.
Overall, the concept of the game reminds me of a maze puzzle because the story follows a flowchart. Depending on your choices in the game, you can end up in a bad situation, which leads you to a dead end. There are many terrible shocking ways to die. If you have a morbid sense of humor like me, you will enjoy the game. For instance, I made a mistake entering a dark room without turning on my flashlight. I got killed. I laughed. Game over. You know what they say about laughter: It’s the greatest medicine. I’m so glad I didn’t let some negative reviews hinder me from playing it. It’s not going to vibe with everyone who is looking for a straight-forward horror experience but if you are looking for a game with some depth, this game deserves another chance. To me, a good game needs good art direction. It’s the overall package that triumphs over the small imperfections because I could say the very same thing about Yume Nikki, a popular indie horror game. As long as the players find value in a game that’s all it matters.
Note: This article is a response to tangomushi’s video game essay on NightCry.
Originally published January 22, 2017 9:53 pm; Revised October 10, 2023
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I’ve really wanted to play this game for a while now, but I’ve been waiting for a half off sale. I can kind of relate to how scary games can be dark comedy, especially in games where death can come out of nowhere. I remember laughing a lot while playing Limbo because of the many colorful deaths that would surprise the player. Someone once told me it was because horror and comedy are both based on the element of surprise and that’s why our brains often get those two feelings mixed together.
I agree with that statement! But I laugh a lot with horror games typically, but this one is definitely most funny. When you do play it, let me know what you think. I really like your blog.