Night Watch (Russian: «Ночной дозор») is a tactical role-playing game[2][3] developed by Russian developer Nival Interactive, and based on the Russian novel and the film of the same name. It features a group of Light Others trying to combat the schemes of Day Watch.
| Night Watch | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Nival Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | CDV Software |
| Engine | Silent Storm engine |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Tactical RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
The game was released in Russia in 2005 and in the rest of the world by CDV in 2006. A sequel, Day Watch, was released in 2007.[4] The game is powered by the Silent Storm engine.
Characters edit
- Stas — the main character from the story. He became the Light Other in the beginning of the story. He has a short temper and a gung ho attitude. Has a tendency to make wisecracks in tense situations. If the player chooses the shapeshifter class, Stas shifts into a dog.
- Vera — a recently recruited member of Night Watch. She was initiated by Geser (the leader of the Night Watch in the novels). Tends to act as a voice of reason of the group. She turns into a panther (if shapeshifter).
- Yurik — a goodhearted, but somewhat naive member of Night Watch. He was ambushed by Light Others, only to be rescued by Stas. Comes with a 'magical' credit card, which can be used in a near bank, within the same level, for some advanced equipment. If shapeshifter, changes into a wolf.
- Anna — a recently recruited member of Day Watch. Stas was supposed to kill her as part of his initiation. She does not become a playable character until the middle of the game, when she teams up with Stas to stop Zavulon's scheme.
Plot edit
Over the course of the game, it was revealed that both Day Watch and Night Watch found a way to change the potential Others' affiliation via electronic transmitters. Stas was one of its first test subjects, as he was originally supposed to be a Dark Other. Zavulon was planning to take advantage of the spell by converting all the potential Others in Russia into Dark Others.
Reception edit
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 54/100[5] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| 1Up.com | D+[6] |
| Computer Games Magazine |    [7] |
| Computer Gaming World | (unfavorable)[8] |
| Eurogamer | 5/10[9] |
| GameSpot | 5.4/10[10] |
| GameSpy | [11] |
| GameZone | 6.3/10[12] |
| IGN | 6/10[13] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 43%[14] |
| X-Play | [15] |
| The New York Times | (mixed)[16] |
The game received "mixed" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[5]
References edit
- ^ IGN staff (June 26, 2006). "Look Out for Night Watch". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Ocampo, Jason (April 13, 2006). "Night Watch Exclusive Hands-On - Combat, Classes, and Turning a Hit Russian Movie Into a Game". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Thompson, Mike (June 22, 2006). "Night Watch". Game Helper Magazine. Archived from the original on December 28, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
- ^ GamesIndustry International (May 16, 2007). "Gamers Gate launch worldwide download premiere: Day Watch". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on March 28, 2017. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ a b "Night Watch for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Coffey, Robert (July 5, 2006). "Night Watch". 1Up.com. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 5, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Review: Night Watch". Computer Games Magazine. No. 191. theGlobe.com. October 2006. p. 80.
- ^ Coffey, Robert (September 2006). "Night Watch" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 266. Ziff Davis. p. 96. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Clare, Oliver (September 12, 2006). "Night Watch". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Mueller, Greg (July 10, 2006). "Night Watch Review". GameSpot. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Harker, Carla (July 20, 2006). "GameSpy: Night Watch". GameSpy. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 12, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Aceinet (July 20, 2006). "Night Watch - PC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ McNamara, Tom (July 13, 2006). "Night Watch". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ "Night Watch". PC Gamer. Vol. 13, no. 10. Future US. October 2006. p. 88.
- ^ Coffey, Robert (August 8, 2006). "Night Watch". X-Play. G4. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved June 30, 2022.
- ^ Herold, Charles (August 3, 2006). "One Game for a Small Screen, Another for Fans of Ed Wood". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2022.(subscription required)
External links edit
- Night Watch at IMDb
- Night Watch at MobyGames
