Nightingale is \"Too Open World\" According to Ex-Mass Effect Devs

Inflexion Games, the studio behind the crafting survival game Nightingale, is implementing substantial changes based on player feedback and the developers' own assessment. This follows the game's early access launch and a period focused on bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements.

Former BioWare leaders acknowledge shortcomings

Summer Update Promises Significant Overhaul

A recent YouTube video featuring Inflexion Games' Aaryn Flynn and Neil Thomson revealed dissatisfaction with Nightingale's current state, including player numbers and overall reception. A major update slated for the end of summer aims to address these concerns. The developers specifically cited a lack of player satisfaction and low player counts as key drivers for the upcoming changes. While an offline mode was recently added, the team now focuses on refining the core gameplay loop.

A core issue identified is the game's open-world design. Thomson described the current experience as "almost too open world," lacking sufficient structure and clear progression. The update will introduce more defined goals, improved realm design to address repetitiveness, and clearer indicators for player advancement. The aim is to enhance the sense of progression and differentiate the various Fae Realms.

Further refinements are planned

Inflexion Games is also reassessing core mechanics and considering adjustments to improve overall gameplay. The update will include increased build limits, enabling players to construct larger and more complex structures. Previews of the upcoming content are anticipated in the coming weeks.

Despite currently holding "Mixed" reviews on Steam, Nightingale is seeing an increase in positive reviews, with approximately 68% of recent reviews being positive. The developers expressed gratitude for player feedback and support. Flynn concluded by stating that while more work remains, the new version shows significant improvement.

Game8's review echoes similar sentiments regarding the game's lack of guidance and unnecessarily complex mechanics, particularly in crafting. For a detailed perspective, check out our full review of Nightingale.