Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Night Watch blends real-time exploration with tactical, turn-based combat to create a robust RPG experience. As you guide Stas and his party of Light Others through the streets of modern Moscow—then into the radiant Twilight realm—the game encourages careful planning. In real-time mode you’ll talk to NPCs, investigate crime scenes and scavenge for magical reagents, while in combat you’ll switch to a hex-based battlefield where positioning and ability management truly matter.

The progression system is split into three specializations—Sorcerer, Mage and Changer—each unlocking unique spells, enchantments and shapeshifting powers. You choose your primary path during character creation, but as Stas levels up, you’re free to dabble in other schools, blending magical item use, raw elemental magic and transformation skills. This versatility means each playthrough can feel fresh, as you experiment with different skill synergies and equipment loadouts.

Battles themselves hinge on the interplay of Action Points (AP), Energy Points (EP) and Vitality Points (VP), as well as core attributes like Strength, Dexterity and Intellect. The game rewards thoughtful tactics—ambushing foes in Twilight or exploiting elemental weaknesses—as much as brute force. Boss fights against Dark Others or allied Vampires can be punishing, but mastering cooldowns and crowd-control spells elevates every encounter into a satisfying puzzle.

Graphics

Powered by a modified Silent Storm engine, Night Watch delivers detailed environments both in the gritty urban sprawl of Moscow and the hyper-saturated vistas of the Twilight world. Streets, back alleys and soviet-era apartments are rendered with weathered textures and ambient lighting that evoke midnight conspiracies. Switch to the Twilight and you’re greeted by a luminous color palette—neon blues, surreal pinks and glowing runes—that reinforces the supernatural atmosphere.

Character models are intricately designed, with flowing coats, glowing eyes and animated spell effects that showcase each specialization’s flair. While some animations—particularly shapeshifting sequences—can feel slightly stiff by modern standards, the weight and impact of magical attacks remain impressive. Camera controls allow free rotation and zoom, which helps you appreciate environmental details or plan your next tactical move in combat.

The game’s sole use of actual movie clips in the introductory sequence adds an authentic tie-in to the film, though in-game cutscenes rely on engine animations. Voice acting varies from solid performances—especially from Stas’s commanding mentor, Geser—to occasional one-liner deliveries in side quests. Overall, Night Watch strikes a fine balance between cinematic flair and gameplay clarity, with occasional frame-rate dips on underpowered hardware.

Story

Drawing directly from Sergey Lukyanenko’s original tetralogy and the first part of the film trilogy, Night Watch weaves an engaging continuation that picks up after the events of the inaugural novel. You assume the role of Stas, an uninitiated Light Other thrust into the murky world of ancient treaties and supernatural politics. Reporting to Moscow’s Night Watch chief, Great Mage Geser, you’ll uncover Dark conspiracies that threaten the tenuous peace between Light and Dark Others.

The narrative balances grand, world-shaping stakes with personal character dramas. As Stas, you’ll forge bonds with party members, navigate moral gray areas and decide whether to uphold the Great Armistice Treaty or pursue your own sense of justice. Side quests—ranging from rescuing kidnapped humans to investigating rogue sorcerers—add depth to the main storyline and flesh out the Cold War–style paranoia that defines the Others’ war.

While fans of the books and films will appreciate the faithful portrayal of key characters and lore, newcomers may find some references obscure. However, the game provides enough exposition through journals, dialogue and lore books to bring you up to speed. The pacing remains taut, interspersing investigative beats with climactic combat encounters, ensuring that the plot never stalls even during extensive exploration segments.

Overall Experience

Night Watch delivers a compelling RPG that will resonate most with aficionados of Russian urban fantasy and tactical combat. Its dual-mode gameplay keeps exploration fresh and encourages strategic thinking in battles, while the branching skill trees allow for creative builds. The faithful adaptation of Lukyanenko’s lore—combined with the film’s visual elements—immerses you in a secret war waged under the cover of night.

However, the game isn’t without rough edges. The user interface can feel dated, with inventory management and skill menus that require frequent scrolling. Save points are sometimes sparse, resulting in punishing retries if you’re overwhelmed by a powerful boss or encounter. Occasional performance hiccups and variable voice acting quality may pull you out of the moment, though these issues seldom derail the overall experience.

For those looking to step into the shoes of a Light Other, Night Watch offers hours of magic-laden exploration, tactical turn-based battles and a deep storyline rooted in a well-established universe. While it may demand patience and tactical savvy, the end result is a richly detailed world where every spell cast and moral decision echoes through the balance of Light and Dark.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10