Nights of Azure

Gust, the brains behind the Atelier series, returns with Nights of Azure representing a new, darker direction for Gust. While the Atelier series mostly embodies a very light-hearted, happy-go-lucky, and innocent ambience, for Gust to present a game that boasts to be darker and grittier is quite intriguing to say the least. It also helps that the game was under the direction of Keisuke Kikuchi who’s worked on the Fatal Frame and Deception series. Nonetheless, as I’ve had my fair share of Gust’s works through their Atelier series, I was sure that Nights of Azure wasn’t going to be nearly as dark...

Gust may be best known for their turn-based RPGs, but Nights of Azure is one action-oriented entry to their library most JRPG fans could enjoy.

It may not be the best hack ‘n’ slash game on the market, but Nights of Azure does enough right to warrant checking it out.

Gust has some pretty good ideas with the Servan system, and the gameplay is pretty smooth once you get yourself properly kitted out, but Nights of Azure has a few boring aspects that really make it a chore to play.

Nights of Azure was the first game developed by Gust where the developer of the Atelier series tried branching out with a different setting and a story that promised to be extremely touching. The game didn't deliver in full, despite good character development and interaction and some interesting ideas, and it was up to the sequel to make Nights of Azure a franchise that could stand up to other established JRPG series. Sadly. Nights of Azure 2 doesn't improve much what was wrong with the original game, taking a few step backs in the process which make the experience slightly worse.

Nights of Azure is a game that has the potential to be a legitimately enjoyable experience, but unfortunately, most of that potential goes to waste.

Fumbling between technical issues and stilted writing, this action RPG has the potential to be great... in future installments.

Taking everything into consideration, Nights of Azure isn’t particularly a bad game, far from it in fact; it’s just not so much of a good one either. The visuals are a mixed bag, the combat is inoffensive but not entirely satisfying, and the story, whilst doing a decent job of keeping your attention, never has you on the edge of your seat. It’s a game that seems to be entirely content with just being mediocre, which is what it would be if weren’t for its few unique concepts and kick-ass soundtrack. For fans of the genre, there’s no doubt that Nights of Azure will still be a somewhat enjoyable ...

Nights of Azure is a Japanese role-playing game set in a world where demons are taking over the night. As with any JRPG, there's a lot of lore to get your head around – so buckle in. The game is set after the defeat of the Ruler of the Night, who, once beaten, showered the world in his blue blood. Those who came into contact with the blood turned into demons, and are stealing the night from the humans. The game centres around protagonist Arnice, who somehow resisted the blood, and as a result is half-demon, half-human, and she's been tasked by a mysterious organisation, Curia, to reclaim the n...

Nights of Azure feels like a guilty pleasure, but it’s the gameplay that’s the star here. The boring story is filled with forgettable, two dimensional characters, and while there is passion between the main characters, it feels forced rather than natural. The gameplay isn’t ground-breaking either, but it is at least competent at delivering a mindless hack ‘n’ slash that is fun to play and worth a look.

While the opening hours do nothing to rid your mouth of a slowly growing taste of disappointment, Nights of Azure eventually manages to claw you back once some of its more interesting combat mechanics begin to shine through. It’s relatively short length aids the process, but also comes under fire when you consider the bare-bones storytelling. It’s a difficult sell, but one I hope GUST can rehabilitate with the upcoming sequel.

Nights of Azure 2 attempts to add new gameplay elements to the tragic Gothic romance of the ARPG franchise but things like puzzles, map exploration and a larger party to master work against the timing mechanic that is central to the game's design. Add that to a trite plot and pandering fan service and there isn't much to praise.