Burnhouse Lane
- December 2, 2022
- Harvester Games
- 34h median play time
While the gameplay isn't hugely dynamic, Burnhouse Lane is soaked in atmosphere and intrigue, as well as being memorably disturbing.
Get on SteamIn Burnhouse Lane, play as Angie Weather, a nurse given five impossible tasks to win her life back. This horror adventure game by Harvester Games features puzzles, friends, enemies, and survival shooting mechanics reminiscent of Silent Hill and Resident Evil. Experience a dark, emotional journey centered on death, friendship, and hope.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that enhances the overall atmosphere.
- The story is engaging and emotionally impactful, with well-developed characters that resonate with players.
- The soundtrack and voice acting are top-notch, contributing to the immersive experience.
- The combat mechanics can feel clunky and frustrating, detracting from the overall gameplay experience.
- The save system is limited, requiring players to return to specific points to save progress, which can be tedious.
- Some character portrayals and dialogue may come off as insensitive or clichéd, particularly regarding body image.
- story552 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "Burnhouse Lane" is described as a dark, emotional journey that resonates with themes of hope and despair, reminiscent of previous titles in the Harvester Games series, particularly "The Cat Lady." While many players appreciate its gripping narrative and character development, some critique it for feeling rehashed or lacking originality, with a few noting inconsistencies and a rushed ending. Overall, the storytelling is praised for its depth and engagement, making it a compelling experience for fans of psychological horror.
“The story of hope and looking to a future when you feel like you have none is a theme that has always resonated in these games and it shines brightly here in Burnhouse Lane as well.”
“Burnhouse Lane tells a heavy, poignant story whilst also creating a disturbing atmosphere through its imagery and visuals.”
“The story is gripping and really pulls you in.”
“But I think what disappointed me the most was the story.”
“The story was just all over the place, lacking nuance and over the top; it often felt silly and meaningless.”
“However, Angie's story is just a copy-paste of Susan's, and not nearly as well thought out.”
- gameplay229 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Burnhouse Lane" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its intuitive controls and engaging puzzles, reminiscent of previous titles in the series. However, criticisms focus on the clunky combat mechanics and sparse save points, which detract from the overall experience. While some new gameplay elements are seen as innovative, others feel underdeveloped, leading to a blend of enjoyable and frustrating moments throughout the game.
“The gameplay is fantastic, with elements of combat, loads of puzzle-solving, and a big emphasis that your choices all have consequences, with multiple endings befitting those choices.”
“I really loved this game and how this developer constantly improves the gameplay experience and quality with each game.”
“The gameplay makes you feel nostalgic for 90's point and clicks with a modern twist, the puzzles make you think and feel accomplished when solving them, and you will want to slap yourself for making a wrong decision 3 saves ago.”
“I absolutely hated the clunky combat, and breaking down doors over and over is not fun gameplay, and the sparse save points.”
“The power definitely lies within the story because the gameplay can be clunky and is not always very logical.”
“The save system renders the trial and error gameplay not only frustrating, but offensive in how punishing it is.”
- graphics226 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and significant improvements over previous titles, showcasing a refined art style that enhances the overall atmosphere. Many players noted the unique and eerie aesthetics, with vibrant colors and detailed environments that effectively convey the game's dark narrative. While some critiques were aimed at the animations and occasional jankiness, the overall artistic direction and haunting beauty of the graphics have left a lasting impression on players.
“The graphics are really selling the game; the settings are really beautiful and breathtaking and play so well into the game's narrative.”
“The visuals of Burnhouse Lane in-game, as well as its denizens, made for some unique and eerie visuals, very Alice in Wonderland meets Constantine; love to see more, please!”
“The graphics are gorgeous, so nice to see the familiar art style in this crisp and high-quality form.”
“I didn't even like the art style!”
“When a horror game is too polished graphically, it loses the roughness that a horror media should have; though I don't say it needs to have bad graphics, it just needs a 'healthy' balance.”
“It wins only in terms of visuals, in its graphics, but it loses in everything else and it still leaves you wondering how both games could coexist in the same universe.”
- music180 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric and emotional depth, with many praising the contributions of composer micamic. While the soundtrack is generally considered fantastic and fitting for the game's tone, some users noted a few less favorable tracks, particularly a repetitive song during a party scene. Overall, the music enhances the immersive experience, complementing the visuals and narrative effectively.
“A gorgeous and atmospheric horror game with a fantastic soundtrack and great writing.”
“The music is fantastic, the themes will have me thinking for days, and the easter eggs were a special, bonus touch I appreciate from the developer.”
“The music and overall soundscape is really superb, some beautiful songs throughout the game.”
“I think I would like the full song, but the 10-15 second loop playing loud as possible over the dialogue was a choice.”
“The only thing it seems to be lacking compared to the last few games is a soundtrack; unless I'm missing something, there's no songs or pieces of long eerie music from artists such as Black Casino & The Ghost, or Maisy Kay.”
“But the soundtrack this time isn't that memorable as the others.”
- emotional110 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its touching and inspiring narrative, with many players expressing deep emotional investment in the characters and story. While some found the protagonist less relatable compared to previous games, the overall experience is described as a powerful emotional journey filled with heart-wrenching moments, dark themes, and a mix of gruesome and charming elements. The game's ability to evoke strong feelings, including tears and visceral reactions, is highlighted, making it a memorable and impactful experience for players.
“I never wanted to leave Angie's world because I was getting so emotionally invested in the things that were happening, especially on the farm and getting to know and attached to everyone there.”
“Burnhouse Lane will take you on an emotional journey and shock you with its unpredictable twists and turns.”
“The world is dark, creepy, unsettling, and while the story and dialogue often speak of death and dark themes, it is also a touching experience that kept me immersed and invested the whole time.”
- atmosphere75 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is consistently praised for its unique and immersive qualities, blending quirky animations, haunting soundtracks, and striking visuals to create a captivating experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from eerie tension to cozy nostalgia, while the art style and storytelling further enhance its atmospheric depth. Despite some minor gameplay criticisms, the overall ambiance is described as beautifully executed and integral to the game's appeal.
“A gorgeous and atmospheric horror game with a fantastic soundtrack and great writing.”
“Incredible atmosphere, good story, and it's really good looking!”
“Burnhouse Lane tells a heavy, poignant story whilst also creating a disturbing atmosphere through its imagery and visuals.”
“While the gameplay isn't hugely dynamic, Burnhouse Lane is soaked in atmosphere and intrigue, as well as being memorably disturbing.”
“The atmosphere of the game is absolutely unreal; I'd encourage players to put on a pair of headphones to really enjoy the sound team's work.”
- humor22 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is effectively balanced with its serious themes, featuring well-written, flawed characters that evoke genuine laughter amidst the dark narrative. Players appreciate the signature dark humor of the Michalski brothers, with moments of levity found in jumpscares and character quirks, making the experience both engaging and entertaining. Overall, the humor enhances the game's emotional depth without crossing into cringe territory.
“The sense of humor in the game is well-maintained despite the seriousness of these topics.”
“Flawed, endearing, human characters and of course, the Michalski brothers' signature dark humor.”
“The characters are all really well written and feel real; there were some that I really grew attached to, and some that really made me laugh out loud despite the dark and gritty story being told, which is to be expected from a Remigiusz Michalski game.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 83 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly when it comes to achieving certain milestones and dealing with poorly placed save points. Many express frustration over having to repeatedly redo sections after dying, with some even considering looking up endings online rather than enduring the grind. Overall, the experience is marred by a mix of enjoyable puzzles and frustratingly repetitive tasks.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“As with all hg games, the path to some of the achievements can be rather tedious.”
“The goddess of axe is probably one of the most tedious achievements in the list and rivals annoying achievements from other games.”
“Although I've progressed far enough, I will not finish this game because there is absolutely no way I am retrying that tedious and dead stupid chase sequence again (headless lady with a chainsaw).”
- replayability12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it features multiple endings and diverse gameplay options that encourage replay, some players find certain chapters tedious and overly drawn out, diminishing the desire to revisit the game. Overall, the unique atmosphere and character engagement contribute positively, but the lengthy segments may deter some from replaying.
“It had a large amount of gameplay to pick into, plus various ways of changing it up, i.e., replayability.”
“The characters get you into the unique atmosphere, and different endings make it a nice replayable game.”
“Also, this game has multiple endings, so it definitely holds up to its replay value.”
“There is a fine line between a challenge that makes the game have replay value and one that makes you want to put the game in a drawer and forget you ever saw it.”
“And you're a story-based game; you just have to accept that the replay value is not high.”
“I think there is little to no replayability value to this game: some chapters are just so dragged out that you wouldn't want to waste your time waddling over yet another dozen straight corridors back and forth just to get a new dialogue line or a different ending.”
- character development10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is marked by impressive new designs and a variety of likeable characters, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience with multiple endings. However, some players noted issues such as inconsistent character development and elements of fatphobia, which detracted from the overall impact. While the character designs received mixed reviews, the game's aesthetic and character variety were generally praised.
“The new character designs and color coordination were super cool; overall, the game was great, with really likable characters and a decent variety of endings to complete.”
“Very great character design.”
“There is a bit of fatphobia, inconsistent character development, and unnecessary gameplay mechanics that weigh it down, but all in all, a great experience.”
“There is a bit of fatphobia, inconsistent character development, and unnecessary gameplay mechanics that weigh it down.”
“There is a bit of fatphobia, inconsistent character development, and unnecessary gameplay mechanics that weigh it down.”
- optimization10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized as "horrible," negatively impacting the overall experience. While the voice acting showcases a range of talent and captivates players, the lack of emotional depth in performances and the rigid script further detract from the game's quality.
“All the voice actors are talented and I felt captivated by their performances; there is definitely a wide range of talents included in this game!”
“I'm only 2 hours in, but this seems to be Michalski at his peak performance.”
“The horrible optimization doesn't help this game either.”
“The horrible optimization doesn't help this game either.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with no significant bugs, glitches, or crashes reported by most users. However, some players noted minor issues with controls, particularly when switching to the cat character during platform jumps.
“Some of the controls, especially when switching to the cat while jumping between platforms, are somewhat buggy.”
“Some of the controls, especially when switching to the cat while jumping between platforms, are somewhat buggy.”
