An afterlife that keeps running long after humanity has disappeared is an intriguing starting point for an RPG. That is the world of Nocturne, where making friends and exploring a deteriorating digital realm go hand in hand with musical battles.
Note that this is a rhythm RPG, so combat tests your timing instead of following traditional turn-based combat, but I thought it was relevant anyway.
The story follows Karma, who arrives in this artificial afterlife and begins searching for their brother. A sentient AI oversees the world, corruption is spreading, and the people you meet raise questions about identity and what it means to remain alive inside a computer.
During combat, notes travel down a track, and pressing the corresponding buttons fills an attack meter. Attacking is a separate input that spends the accumulated charge, with more stored energy increasing the damage dealt. There is also a reason to watch your opponent: timing a strike during an enemy’s attack window produces a critical hit.
You therefore need to follow the music while deciding when to spend that energy. Surviving until the song ends can also secure victory, giving you another way through an encounter when you cannot defeat the enemy outright.
The RPG progression includes levels, stats, equipment, items, and shops, alongside secrets to discover during exploration. Combat remains skill-based, but six difficulty settings accommodate different levels of rhythm-game experience. Missing too many notes allows enemies to retaliate, so keeping pace with the music matters for survival as well as offense.
Pracy Studios lists a campaign lasting more than ten hours and 101 playable tracks. Defeated enemies become available in Arcade Mode, where their musical encounters can be replayed for higher scores. The boss soundtrack also deserves a mention: those pieces were recorded live by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra.
Developed and self-published by Pracy Studios, Nocturne launched on September 22, 2026, for Windows PC via Steam. A free demo is available to try its combat before committing to the full adventure. Below are more details from the Steam page and launch trailer.
About ThE Game
A Classic Story RPG
Humanity is gone. Only the Digital Afterlife remains, silent for a thousand years.
Until now.
Nocturne’s rich narrative will leave you questioning what it means to be alive, while you traverse a beautiful world that’s falling apart around you.
- 100,000+ word story.
- 101 playable tracks.
- 10+ hour campaign.
Rhythm Combat for all Skill Levels
Nocturne features an entirely skill based rhythm combat system.
With six difficulty options, Nocturne is suitable for beginners and veterans of the rhythm genre.Battle a huge variety of enemies and bosses with unique mechanics and unexpected twists.
Time your attacks to land critical hits, but miss too many notes and enemies will attack you back.
Full RPG Mechanics
Nocturne features all the traditional RPG systems, from leveling and stats, to items, equipment, shops, cutscenes, bosses, exploration, and secrets.
Arcade Mode
Beat enemies to unlock them in Arcade Mode, where you can replay any of Nocturne’s 101 original tracks, and go for new highscores.
Live Orchestral Boss Fights
All boss music was recorded live by the Slovak National Symphony Orchestra.
Features
- Master an entirely skill based rhythm combat system with 101 playable tracks.
- Meet a cast of unusual characters who’ll challenge what it means to be alive.
- Explore a vast and beautiful pixel art world.
- Select from six difficulty modes suitable for beginners and veterans of the rhythm genre.
- Power up from equipment, levels, shops, bosses, exploration, secrets and more.
- Immerse yourself in an original soundtrack with live orchestral performances.
- Challenge your highscores in Arcade mode.
- Befriend a giant orange fish.
