Bahnsen Knights
- December 14, 2023
- LCB Game Studio
A harsh yet engaging narrative drives Bahnsen Knights down the streets of hell, flanked by vivid violence and stomach-churning scenarios. It’s short, but it packs a punch all the same.
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Bahnsen Knights" is a pixel art game where you play as Boulder, an undercover agent investigating the mysterious disappearance of a friend while infiltrating the Bahnsen Knights, a cult known for their fast cars and religious fanaticism. The cult, led by the enigmatic Toni, is said to perform "route exorcisms" and holds a paranormal investigator captive. Uncover the cult's secrets and stay alive in this dangerous world.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features an amazing protagonist and a visually stunning aesthetic with an aggressive color palette.
- It offers compelling dialogue and a unique narrative experience that immerses players in its intriguing story.
- The mini-games add a fun challenge and enhance the overall gameplay, making it a memorable experience.
- Some players found the game less polished compared to previous entries in the series.
- The abrupt ending left some players feeling unsatisfied, lacking a sense of closure.
- Menu-based mini-games were criticized for being frustrating and clunky, especially those requiring precision timing.
- story21 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story is set in a unique 1980s world where players investigate a cult amidst extreme tornadoes, blending elements of pulp storytelling with a standard undercover cop narrative. While some found the plot to be fairly conventional, others praised the depth of character development and the engaging, atmospheric writing, enhanced by visually stunning pixel art and music. The inclusion of mini-games adds an interactive layer to the narrative, making it a compelling experience despite some players feeling the story concluded abruptly.
“This is a fictional story of investigating a cult in the 80s in a weird world where extreme tornadoes are frequent, though society seems to be carrying on.”
“The art work is an absolute feast for the eyes, the story had me hooked the whole way through.”
“A moody, atmospheric and intriguing story enhanced by the art and some great chip tune music.”
“I thought the story was fine and the cult had some interesting car-inspired rituals, but it mostly felt like a decent but fairly standard undercover cop storyline.”
“Granted, I haven't done multiple playthroughs and looking at achievements alone, there are many things I could go back and do, but the way I played ended the story very abruptly and without much real closure.”
“[quote] Bahnsen Knights is magic in general, whether it's the plot that is so light-handed at pencilling in its themes, leaving the player to do the crucial part of writing that ties the narrative together, to the way that the action finds interesting gaps for you, whether you're maneuvering a car on a busy road or realizing that you have run out of interesting things to say to a vital contact, or whether you're using a tarot card system to organize the case you're making against the enemies who you've had to pretend to be pals with.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in the latest entry of the pixel pulps series are highly praised for their vibrant aesthetics and captivating color palette, reminiscent of 1960s-1980s America. Reviewers highlight the top-notch artwork and immersive visuals that enhance the interactive narrative experience, creating an unmatched atmosphere that draws players in. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to its appeal.
“The third in the Pixel Pulps series, sharing the same world as the previous ones (although this one feels more independent), might be the most fascinating and intriguing of the bunch, especially due to the amazing protagonist and the aggressive aesthetics and color palette.”
“The artwork in this series is top notch!”
“The artwork is an absolute feast for the eyes; the story had me hooked the whole way through.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its brilliant design, moody storytelling, and captivating visuals, enhanced by a fitting chip tune soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to create a deeply immersive and intriguing environment, with a unique use of color and art that elevates the overall experience. Overall, the atmosphere is described as unmatched and engrossing, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
“Brilliantly designed, atmospheric, beautiful, and engrossing.”
“A moody, atmospheric, and intriguing story enhanced by the art and some great chiptune music.”
“The use of color in this game (plus the 10/10 writing) creates a mood and atmosphere that few games manage to achieve.”
“The atmosphere is as heavy as ever!”
“Loving the moody atmosphere so far.”
“Art, storytelling, atmosphere - all better than ever so far.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is characterized as moody and atmospheric, effectively complementing the intriguing story and enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of great chip tune music and appealing pixel art, which together create a captivating ambiance.
“A moody, atmospheric, and intriguing story enhanced by the art and some great chiptune music.”
“The game features nice pixel art, music, and an interesting story.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players indicate that there is potential for replayability, suggesting that the game offers elements that encourage multiple playthroughs.
“On my first playthrough, but it sounds like there's a lot of replay value.”
“The game offers multiple endings and choices that make me want to play again.”
“Each playthrough feels unique due to the different character builds and strategies.”
“On my first playthrough, but it sounds like there's replay value.”
“The game lacks significant changes in subsequent playthroughs, making it feel repetitive.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to replay it.”
Critic Reviews
Bahnsen Knights Review (PS5)
Bahnsen Knights is an interesting visual novel that leans heavily on pulp fiction storytelling while giving players the illusion of choice. While the game is quite short, it’s a good recommendation for a player wanting a gripping narrative set within a late 80s aesthetic.
78%Bahnsen Knights (Nintendo Switch)
Bahnsen Knights does a great job at keeping fans of visual novel adventures involved. It’s fun and unique story, visuals, and occasional minigames make it hard to put down, and it never feels repetitive or slow across the few hours it takes to complete it.
80%Bahnsen Knights (Switch) Review
Bahnsen Knights lead to Bahnsen Days and on and on
55%
