Nocturnal 2 Review: A Sub-Nine-Euro Metroidvania That Burns Bright

Nocturnal 2 came out on Steam on 10 November 2026, the same day as a pile of much louder releases. That is a shame, because this little sequel from Swiss studio Sunnyside Games is exactly the kind of game the big sites tend to skip.

What it is

The first Nocturnal was a linear side-scrolling platformer. The sequel is a full 2D Metroidvania set in Ytash, a city on a forgotten island that has been swallowed by darkness. You explore its interconnected depths and rooftops, pick up abilities that open routes you walked past earlier, and chase the city's hidden endings.

It costs €8.99 on Steam (€8.09 until 19 November, thanks to a 10% launch discount). For now it is Windows only on Steam. A Nintendo Switch version was announced back in 2024, but at launch it has no date and the studio has not confirmed it again.

The flame is the game

Everything hangs on one mechanic. Hit a fire source and your sword ignites. A burning blade pushes back the dark and unlocks your flashier abilities - but enemies can snuff it out. So you are never just fighting or just platforming; you are always managing the flame, planning the route from brazier to brazier.

It is a simple idea, and I love how much it does. It gives exploration a rhythm and gives combat stakes without a single extra meter cluttering the screen.

Combat itself is fast and fluid: strike, reposition, stay moving. It rewards flow over button mashing, and it fits a hero who is clearly built for speed.

Looks and sound

The hand-drawn art, inspired by Persian architecture, is the other star. Arches, domes and tiled halls against deep darkness, lit by your own blade - it is minimalist, and all the stronger for it. Full English voice acting and the arcana and poems you gather along the way add texture without drowning you in lore.

The lows

- Modest scope. This is a compact, low-priced game, not a rival to the genre's giants. If you want a sprawling map to live in for weeks, look elsewhere. - PC only at launch. A game this suited to handheld play really wants that Switch version. - The flame can frustrate. Losing your fire in the middle of a tricky stretch is the point of the design, but it will not be for everyone.

Who it's for

Metroidvania fans who want something tight between the big ones, and anyone who values style and feel over map size. The system requirements are tiny - a GTX 750 Ti class card and 3 GB of storage - so nearly any PC will run it. Early Steam user reviews sit at "Very Positive", and I can see why.

Verdict

Nocturnal 2 knows exactly what it is: a small, fast, beautiful Metroidvania with one great idea, sold at a price that makes it an easy recommendation.

Score: 8/10

Image: Tosiabunio / CC BY 3.0, source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gravis_pc_gamepad.jpg