The game features an RPG battle system where characters fight alongside contracted demons known as Servan. These demons can be summoned during battle through the use of SP, and are categorised into attacker and support types. As they become stronger through subsequent battles, they gain new abilities. The player accepts quests and performs customisations at the Hotel, when not taking orders to progress the story or battling enemies. Arnice can also land attack chains using light, heavy and special attacks, with each chain gradually filling a transformation gauge. When full, the player can trigger a transformation which increases offensive power. Her demon form allows her to control flames, while her rabbit form focuses on speed and melee combat, and her phantom form improves her recovery capabilities. She is also able to transform her blood into different types of blood power weapons depending on the situation, such as daggers and longswords, which change her attack moveset and the abilities of summoned demons. The game also contains an optional arena where players can take on various challenges and earn rewards, and these include battles with special restrictions placed upon them and fighting against enemies within a labyrinth.
Setting
The game follows the journey of two girls within an uncharted land known as Ruswal Island, where no one sleeps at night. After humans emerged victorious from the battle against the demonic Nightlord, the blue blood from the monster scattered and polluted those who bathed in it, changing them into creatures known as fiends, which steal night-time from the people.
Characters
Arnice: The protagonist of the game, who is a holy knight serving a mysterious organization known as the "Curia." She is part human and part monster, having had contact with the blue blood of the Nightlord, and she has a bloodsucking ability which arises from her monster side, and can use her own blood to create a demon sword. Voiced by Mao Ichimichi.
Lilysse: A saint who is destined to seal what remains of the Nightlord, and is a close friend of Arnice. Voiced by Hiromi Igarashi.
Corrine: A member of the holy knights and Arnice's senior. Voiced by Ayane Sakura.
Professor Alucard: A self-declared researcher of monsters. Voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka.
Lloyd: A merchant who is a realist. He is well-informed with apparitions and the Curia, and has a hidden side. Voiced by Satoshi Hino.
Mistral: A bewitching, pure-blooded apparition who leads visitors astray with her sweet fragrance. She seemingly seeks for the soul of the Nightlord, although she is currently secluded to her palace. Voiced by Eriko Matsui.
Development
The game was developed under the leadership of development producer Keisuke Kikuchi who has previously worked on the Deception and Fatal Framegame series, while the general producer was Tadanobu Inoue. The character sprites and background art were illustrated by Yoshiku. The game, along with the other Social Gust game, Atelier Sophie, experienced delays in release citing final adjustments as the reason for delay. First-print copies of the game featured DLC codes for Gust from Hyperdimension Neptunia as a subordinate demon.
Reception
Famitsu gave the game a review score of 32/40. The game sold a total of 79,227 physical retail copies across all three platforms within its first week of release in Japan. Upon its PS4 release in the West, Nights of Azure received mixed reception.
