Keep the Lights On

About

Keep the Lights On is an atmospheric horror game where you step in the shoes of Edmund Rosental, a private detective, who is tasked with investigating an old abbey and the mystery surrounding it. Will he be able to keep the lights on or will he succumb to the darkness

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

89%

Audience ScoreBased on 36 reviews

story4 positive mentions

stability2 negative mentions

The game features a compelling story with themes of depression and loss, effectively conveyed through notes and character interactions.
The pixel art style and atmospheric sound design create a spooky and immersive experience, enhancing the horror elements.
The puzzles are engaging and provide a good mix of challenge, making the gameplay enjoyable, especially for a free title.

There are several game-breaking bugs that can hinder progress, such as issues with item interactions and soft-locking during puzzles.
Controls and movement can feel clunky, which detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
The font used in the game is often difficult to read, making it challenging to follow the story and instructions.

story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The story in "Keep the Lights On" is delivered through immersive notes and clues, allowing players to piece together a narrative filled with themes of depression and loss. While the plot features familiar elements, such as an alcoholic detective and a grieving nun, the execution is engaging, enhancing the atmospheric horror experience. Overall, the story serves as a compelling backdrop to the gameplay, though some players felt certain plot elements were less integrated.
- “In addition to that, the way it delivered the game's story through notes, letters, and some clues made it easy to be immersed in this atmospheric horror game.”
- “I especially liked that you're putting the lore together as you progress through the story like it's a huge jigsaw puzzle.”
- “The story was absolutely saddening and added to the overall feeling of the game.”
- “Though I didn’t particularly connect with the story myself, I do find the character motivations to be quite understandable.”
- “Also, the wife story seemed a bit shoehorned in; not that it wasn't good or anything, I just feel it was out of place and didn't add much.”
- “The story revolves around us investigating a castle owned by a mysterious sort all while staying out of the darkness.”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
17%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its effective blend of creepy elements and cozy pixel art, creating an immersive horror experience. Reviewers highlight the strong sound design, including ambient noises and music that enhance the spooky vibe, while the use of notes and clues deepens the narrative engagement. Overall, the game successfully captures a dark yet inviting atmosphere that resonates well with players.
- “Coupled with the creepy atmosphere and the cozy vibes of the pixel art, it makes for a perfect little game to kick off fall!”
- “In addition to that, the way it delivered the game's story through notes, letters, and some clues made it easy to be immersed in this atmospheric horror game.”
- “Creaky doors and the pattering of footsteps add to the atmospheric part of the horror, as does the instrumental music in the background which is very lowkey but conveys the mood well.”
- “The atmosphere/sound design is pretty solid too, the rain and water sounds when you’re outside towards the bridge sound amazing.”
- “As for the atmosphere and graphics, graphically this is definitely more in the line of those 8-16 bit titles of old but with that distinct indie flair that feels like an adaptation that one can tell the difference but not describe it well.”
- “The atmosphere in the game is solid.”
gameplay
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The gameplay is generally well-received, featuring enjoyable mechanics and puzzles that evoke a simplified Resident Evil experience. Players appreciate the blend of combat and puzzle-solving in a side-scrolling format, although some feel there is room for improvement. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and effectively supports the game's atmosphere and story.
- “Sweet, short, straight-to-the-point, it had some fun mechanics, and I really enjoyed the puzzles.”
- “The gameplay aspects could be a tad bit better; it’s a side scroller where you choose to go into different rooms and solve puzzles while also engaging in combat with evil spirits.”
- “That was good, I really enjoyed the gameplay and dark atmosphere, definitely recommend.”
- “The gameplay is okay; it's a bit like a more simplified version of Resident Evil where you're stuck in this big place, fighting monsters and solving puzzles.”
- “The gameplay aspects could be a tad bit better; it’s a side scroller where you choose to go into different rooms, solve puzzles, and engage in combat with evil spirits.”
- “Mechanics are fine, puzzles are fine, story is fine.”
graphics
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
17%
33%
The graphics of the game are praised for their nostalgic 8-16 bit style, featuring well-executed pixel art, vibrant colors, and detailed environments, particularly noted in the church scene. Reviewers appreciate the indie flair that distinguishes it from classic titles while maintaining a strong atmospheric presence that complements the gameplay. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's horror adventure experience.
- “The pixel graphics are very good with a good use of color and scenery and some very nice details, especially when it came to the church.”
- “Now with that all said, Keep the Lights On is a pretty good horror adventure game, with a very good story, very good pixel graphics, and very good enemies/monsters.”
- “As for the atmosphere and graphics, this is definitely more in line with those 8-16 bit titles of old but with a distinct indie flair that feels like an adaptation that one can tell the difference but not describe well.”
- “As for the atmosphere and graphics, graphically this is definitely more in the line of those 8-16 bit titles of old but with that distinct indie flair that feels like an adaptation that one can tell the difference but not describe it well.”
- “As for the atmosphere and graphics, graphically this is definitely more in the line of those 8-16 bit titles of old but with that distinct indie flair that feels like an adaptation that one can tell the difference but not describe it well.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The music in the game is highly praised for enhancing the spooky atmosphere, with instrumental tracks that effectively convey the mood and fit the game's setting. Users appreciate the ambient sounds, such as creaky doors and footsteps, which further contribute to the overall experience. However, some technical issues, like bugs affecting inventory items, were noted but did not detract significantly from the music's impact.
- “The atmosphere was good, definitely pretty spooky at times. The music was pretty good and fits the game very well.”
- “The art style, in-game puzzles, story, music, and object interactions were all very nicely made.”
- “Creaky doors and the pattering of footsteps add to the atmospheric part of the horror, as does the instrumental music in the background, which is very low-key but conveys the mood well.”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short period of gameplay.”
- “While the sound effects are decent, the music feels out of place and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
- “The background music is often too quiet, making it easy to miss important audio cues that are crucial for gameplay.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a deep sense of despair and vulnerability, particularly through the character of Edmund, whose bleak future resonates with players. Despite some tropey elements, the heartfelt themes and creepy atmosphere effectively evoke strong emotional responses, making the experience impactful.
- “You’re in shambles emotionally and financially, and for Edmund, the future is looking bleak.”
- “While I don’t remember all the lines much, and as tropey as it kind of was, I’m weak for emotional themes, and that was really nice.”
- “The game has a creepy atmosphere and an interesting concept with some heartfelt themes that I can plainly say work out.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game exhibits some stability issues, including frustrating glitches that can hinder gameplay, such as problems with interactions and inventory management. However, players note that these bugs are somewhat manageable given the game's short length and free availability.
- “There are some frustrating glitches. I didn't know how to do the first ritual and wasn't able to interact with it afterward. I also noticed that if you try creating a new game, you still have everything in your inventory, and the first nun-ghost can't attack you, nor can you interact with anything.”