Nocturnal 2 Hands-On Preview: Flame-Wielding Metroidvania Sequel Impresses with Fluid Combat & Stunning Art

I had the very welcoming pleasure to get a hands-on look at Nocturnal 2, the successor to the very positively reviewed first title on Steam, where I also played the first game. When jumping into a sequel, questions arise: can the team elevate and build upon the first title, what’s new, and is the next installment better than the last?

Don’t Fix What Isn’t Broken

The game feels great - fast, fluid motion, and beautiful art direction that is stylized enough to stand out on its own. The game is challenging with each new encounter, along with plenty of hidden secrets to uncover. It’s exactly what fans should want in a sequel. Don’t fix what isn’t broken, as they say; however, a new game should entice new experiences.

Though I was able to get a quick look into the world of Ytash, very little has changed from what I recall from playing the first title and now jumping into my time with the sequel. Perhaps the full game will reveal new and exciting changes, but from what I have experienced, rather little has changed and it very much reminded me of the first game.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In fact, I loved the little time I had with the game and certainly look forward to the full release. But I can’t help but wonder…what else do Sunnyside Games have in store for us?

Our Journey Burns Within

Nocturnal 2 may have you start in the dark, but the journey to bring Ytash to a brighter ending is only the beginning. Ardeshir, our main protagonist, bears with him the Enduring Flame - our lifeline, if you will. Ytash, our homeland, has been cursed, and after finding a note left behind our journey within the towering city walls of this Metroidvania forgotten land begins. We work in the dark to serve the light - wait, wrong game, but you get the idea. Our homeland has been consumed in darkness, and we set out to traverse these platforms, find hidden pathways, and return to old locations with new powers to survive the evils within and bring forth the light.

Moving Forward, Not Backwards

Though Nocturnal 2 is a Metroidvania game, I felt my progression moving forward - a sense of reward when finding a hidden room, unlocking new abilities that would help me in battle against foes, or traveling where I was once unable to continue my journey. Some encounters would snuff out my flame and have me returning later once I respawned from the checkpoint. I do wish the checkpoints had better locations; traveling back to where I just lost in a boss fight became a minor gripe, but it was something I noticed I would continue doing after each failed boss encounter.

Although the boss may have set me back slightly, I was able to move on and move forward, allowing a sense of reward and not defeat. Metroidvania level design is always a key component to an enjoyable experience, which was exactly the case with Nocturnal 2. Levels are meant to be explored and returned to later with newfound excitement, knowing that I couldn’t reach previous areas soon became my challenge, and it felt excellent.

Light It Up!

The use of light is an excellent gameplay mechanic. From the darkness, peaks of color emerge until the Enduring Flame lights the bright path forward. With darkness come those who wait within the shadows. Enemies are varied, each with their own unique encounters and challenges. The outstanding visuals when enraged with new abilities or using your powers to fend off enemies are impressive. Nocturnal 2 lights a bright path that should have you igniting your way throughout Ytash. Nocturnal 2 has a demo out right now that you can try for yourself with the full release coming later 2026.