Aeterna Noctis

 PlayStation 5
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. Digital Chumps
    Feb 3, 2022
    90
    Aeterna Noctis is a delightfully difficult Metroidvania that pushes the boundaries of difficult platforming and combat in a way that keeps the game fun and exhilarating. This hand-drawn action platformer is perfect for those who wanted just a bit more from similar games in the Metroidvania genre, albeit less charming. If you’re looking for a solid indie GOTY that effectively utilizes your PS5, look no further than Aeterna Noctis. Good luck, you’ll most definitely need it.
  2. COGconnected
    Dec 14, 2021
    88
    Aeterna Noctis is a stunning Metroidvania that incorporates the many assets of the genre into one magnificent experience. Combining systematic combat and accurate platforming, the game is varied and challenging. The beautiful artwork makes each area unique helping to make this a truly memorable experience.
  3. Movies Games and Tech
    Jan 29, 2022
    75
    Aeterna Noctis is great. A game that’s sure to impress and delight its audience, the people who are looking for a very hard, huge metroidvania. It needed more polish to truly shine, but even as it stands it’s quite surprising, incredibly big, hauntingly beautiful, atmospheric and fun in a specific, agonizing way. If that’s what you want, you can’t get wrong with Aeterna Noctis.
  5. WellPlayed
    Jan 6, 2022
    70
    If a challenge is what you’re after, you’ll find it within Aeterna Noctis. There’s still plenty to appreciate and enjoy if that’s up your alley, but it doesn’t do enough to allow its concept to stand out from the competition.
  6. PlayStation Country
    Dec 23, 2021
    70
    Aeterna Noctis is a very tough metroidvania with incredibly intricate platforming sections. The fair checkpoints even out the challenge a little but plenty of design decisions work against the player in ways that are harder to overcome than the difficulty.
  7. Push Square
    Dec 14, 2021
    70
    Ultimately, although there’s a distinct feeling of déjà vu when playing Aeterna Noctis thanks to its unmistakable similarities to Hollow Knight, it thankfully manages to nail the most important elements in a Metroidvania: exploration and combat.
  8. GameCritics
    Feb 25, 2022
    60
    It’s a shame that Aeterna Noctis stumbles in both difficulty and design because it feels like it comes so close to greatness. Unfortunately, the demanding challenge and an obnoxious amount of backtracking overshadow what it gets right.
  9. Finger Guns
    Feb 21, 2023
    50
    A beautifully dark throwback to the classics, Aeterna Noctis revels in its classic charm. The difficulty also apes that of its forebears, which for some they might enjoy, others it might be too much. For those impartial, it’s another in a massive catalogue of Metroidvania titles.
  10. IGN Italia
    Dec 21, 2021
    50
    A metroidvania mixed with a bit of soulsvania that doesn't know what it wants to be and tries a bit of everything, without really succeeding in any particular aspect.

Awards & Rankings

95
#95 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2021
69
#69 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 34 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 34
  3. Negative: 7 out of 34
  1. MrEBE
    Sep 5, 2023
    10
    Thank you devs !!

    You just produced my 47y old best metroidvania/platformer game ever !! It's really rare that I am really sad    Thank you devs !!

    You just produced my 47y old best metroidvania/platformer game ever !!

    It's really rare that I am really sad finishing/platinuming a game..

    I did it on Noctis Difficulty and, of course, without using the DLC cheating gems you had to create for the whining players..

    This game should be GOTY and in every mouths.. but today the hype is for games like starfield from bugthesda..

    I just wish all good gamers to discover your gem once a time..

    Concerning the Crashes : yes the game can crash. The solution : DELETE and REINSTALL the game. Otherwise the game will become totally unstable. Also, don't use any additional SSD ! use the ps5 built-in SSD. No more crashes since I did that.

    Thank you Devs !

    I would add :

    Dear devs,

    You should make the DLC Gems, which remove 2/3 of the difficulties, an optional option, so to preserve the game how you mean it to be..

    It really ruin the whole point ..    … Full Review »
  2. Vomitpoop
    Jul 30, 2023
    10
    One of the best Metroidvanias ever made. Very similar to Hollow Knight, but with super stylish combat. Castlevania fans will love this, it’sOne of the best Metroidvanias ever made. Very similar to Hollow Knight, but with super stylish combat. Castlevania fans will love this, it’s the closest thing to Symphony of the Night.… Full Review »
  3. tcholeaway666
    May 15, 2023
    0
    One of the best metroidvania game I've ever played, truly... Very Difficult, but fair... But when you're 50h+, are late in the game (10th doorOne of the best metroidvania game I've ever played, truly... Very Difficult, but fair... But when you're 50h+, are late in the game (10th door finished) beat one of the hardest boss of the game and that the save is just not syncing, losing your 5 hardest hours... No way, it's a shame... I HATE THIS! Was going to write a french guide for trophy hunting, you can just forget it, I'm selling this ... You just ruined 50h+ of my gaming time… Full Review »
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