Night Call

Seine meditation.

Night Call is an intriguing ride through Paris full of intriguing tales and conversations. Too bad its detective elements aren't as compelling.

Night Call is interesting in ways most games aren’t. It’s a game that humanizes people that usually get mockery. It’s so good at this that it overshadows the serial killer stuff. It can lose its steam thanks to some repetitive gameplay, but its shorter length prevents it from dragging on. Its design choices will turn away action-oriented players, but it’s a pleasant surprise if you want more compassion in your crime fiction.

Night Call may draw you with its murder mysteries, but you’ll keep playing to learn about its numerous, interesting characters. It’s incredibly well written, if a bit pretentious in the best way. Unfortunately, it’s numerous glitches may frustrate players too much to keep playing.

For me, I enjoyed my overall experience. There are still characters I haven't met, and I want to get back in and try to find them. I wasn't particularly enthralled by the murder mystery, but I do want to know what happens to Janet from the future. Night Call is, at its best, a story with engaging characters that make you want to learn their secrets. If nothing else, I'm deeply interested to see what the developers at Monkey Moon and BlackMuffin Studio do next.

Night call is thick with moody atmosphere and noir style; its writing is hit and miss, but it's tough not to be entranced by the central concept.

A stylishly presented, adult-themed adventure that explores the night life of Paris in thought-provoking but agreeably quirky detail.

All in all, Night Call sets itself up with an inspired idea and premise. The concept of a man living the simple life as a city taxi driver going through regular life while trying to catch a sinister serial killer is fascinating. When the different systems are firing on all cylinders and you can see the mystery unraveling, it’s a wonder to see. On the down side, the cabbie sim gameplay gets boring and the gameplay loop grows repetitive quickly.

Night Call is a fantastic noir-esque game where you take on the role of a Parisian taxi driver who is investigating a serial killer mystery on the side. With your friendly persona and a knack for getting your passengers to pour their hearts out, your goal is to drive them to their destinations, make good money to pay your daily bills, and hopefully land some helpful clues along the way.

In this narrative mystery, a taxi driver's knowledge of his passengers is key to solving a murder.

Night Call is a game filled with good ideas, but terrible execution. Great characters and exploration are let down by superfluous mechanics and a lack of meaningful choices.

So, it's a game with two key strands that feel forced together when they don't really work in tandem. I like both ingredients in theory, but they don't coalesce successfully, like how a vinaigrette salad dressing will separate into oil and vinegar until you shake it up again. Except balsamic dressing is obviously delicious. Night Call isn't quite that. It's not bad, though. A honey-mustard, maybe?