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Battle Chasers: Nightwar

Battle Chasers: Nightwar

Airship Syndicate · released Oct 3, 2017

IndieRPGPCPlayStation 4Xbox OneNintendo SwitchiOS (iPhone/iPad)

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is an RPG inspired by the classic console greats, featuring deep dungeon diving, turn-based combat presented in a classic JRPG format, and a rich story driven by exploration of the world.

81
VGC Score
Decliningmedium confidence
83%
At launch
87%
Steam all-time
80%
Press
73%
Player sentiment
86%
Recent sentiment

Screenshots & trailers

Review sentiment over time

Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.

How this score was computed

The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.

ComponentPositiveQuality (0-100)Weight (pseudo-reviews)
Press reviews (OpenCritic)8032
Creator reviews (1 tracked)970
All-time Steam reviews87%811000
Metacritic user ratings729
Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted)86%794
Calibration prior (typical game)7250

Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 12 reviews sampled · 7 total reviews in window · weighted 7.3 up / 1.2 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →

Press & Creators reviews (108)

Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.

  • 70
    trust 78Oct 9, 2017

    Many bugs in console version and shortcomings cause a slight disappointment. But at the same time Battle Chasers: Nightwar remains an enthralling and strong RPG, which can be even better after all the fixes. In the meantime, the console version is worth playing only if you really miss turn-based battles and fabulous adventures.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76Oct 2, 2017

    If you can stomach its technical imperfections, the addictive loop of combat and exploration combined with a great roster of characters, and excellent production values make Battle Chasers: Nightwar well worth checking out. It might not be the biggest release of October but it's definitely one of the most enjoyable yet.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 76May 14, 2018

    Despite a title that suggests it came out of a name generator, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a satisfying slice of JRPG that forges a confident, colourful character of its own from formulaic ingredients. The approachable comic style, plus a couple of neat mechanics that encourage experimentation, give it a freshness that belies the age-old systems at its core, and it doesn't waste your time with filler. Depending on your skill, you'll probably spend around 30 hours on the critical path, comparatively breezy in RPG terms, though there's plenty of side content to occupy you beside the main quest, plus a trio of heroes you'll probably shun on your first playthrough. Disappointing performance dips aside, it feels at home on Switch. Ultimately, it's the same old story, numbers go up!, but it's shot through with an infectious exuberance and attention to detail that reinvigorates old tropes.

    read full review ↗
  • 70
    trust 75Oct 3, 2017

    Battle Chasers: Nightwar cast, amazing soundtrack and art direction more than makes up for its dull and often grindy combat mechanics.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 75Oct 4, 2017

    Battle Chasers is a game full of attractions that will last for more than 40 hours of fun. It’s not important whether you noticed Joe Madureira’s new game because of its jRPG heritage, its connection to a series of comic books or its extremely pretty graphics. All these reasons are good, because the game is good. Very good!

    read full review ↗
  • 90
    trust 74Oct 16, 2017

    Battle Chasers: Nightwar is an amazing effort, if anything made more impressive by virtue of being a Kickstarter-funded indie game, and is a testament to what a dedicated and talented team can accomplish. It may not lead the pack in gripping narrative, but presents its comic book license in such visually and aurally impressive ways that other games would do well to pay attention. However, its true star is its deep combat system, which offers so many ways to tinker with and improve party efficiency that it just doesn't get old, provided players are up for a traditional turn-based JRPG designed by a western team. It's a game that shouldn't be missed by any fan of the genre, and is sure to attract a whole new wave of attention to its underlying license.

    read full review ↗
  • 80
    trust 73Oct 8, 2017

    Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a very pleasant and enjoyable game. With a pleasing aesthetic, fun and quick gameplay, and an intriguing story. It is definitely a recommended turn-based RPG, for beginners and veterans alike, with a relatively simple battle system and enough hidden depth to get you hooked and planning out every battle many moves ahead.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 70May 19, 2018

    If you’re an RPG fan I’d say there’s no doubt Battle Chasers: Nightwar is well worth picking up. Even for casual JRPG fans there’s enough content, character, and beauty in the game that if you’re intrigued it should be well worth the plunge. For RPG novices it may all feel a little busy but if you’ll take the time to work through the menus and get to know all of the elements you have at your disposal it should be accessible, just a bit overwhelming. For whatever minor flaws the game may have it is well worth the ride.

    read full review ↗
  • 50
    trust 70Jun 23, 2019

    This is the type of game that should be an automatic hit for RPG players, but there is something missing in the complete package. The graphics are good, and typical genre staples are present, but ultimately it gets lost in itself. Overall this is a solid title, but in the end it lacks heart. It does everything averagely, and nothing especially rises above, or provides anything unique - unfortunate, as its ingredients definitely lend itself to what might have been a really great game.

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  • 90
    trust 69Oct 4, 2017

    Battle Chasers: Nightwar hits a few bumps along the road, but overall, Airship Syndicate’s debut title is a resounding success, thanks to its excellent combat system and gorgeous art style.

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  • 80
    trust 69Oct 20, 2017

    Gorgeous to look at and packing some seriously satisfying dungeon dust-ups, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a great RPG. Its story may struggle to surprise and its pacing is a little on the slow side, but stick with it and you'll get lost in a deep and rewarding adventure.

    read full review ↗
  • 85
    trust 69May 11, 2018

    The overworld is nicely streamlined and the dungeons, aside from being a tight fit on the Switch screen, are fun to explore. To top it off, the Joe Mad art is excellent and the overall presentation is superb. Nightwar is truly a fantastic RPG, and if you could wipe away the minor technical woes, it's one of the best available on Switch so far.

    read full review ↗

…and 96 more tracked reviews.

Patch history

  1. New Update (Build 23636) Live!
    Jan 23, 2018significant · resets scoring window
  2. New Update (Build 23636) Live!
    Jan 23, 2018significant · resets scoring window
  3. Battle Chasers Nightwar Patch #2 (v. 23172) live
    Oct 23, 2017significant · resets scoring window
  4. Battle Chasers Nightwar Patch #2 (v. 23172) live
    Oct 23, 2017significant · resets scoring window