Lake
- September 1, 2021
- Gamious
- 6h median play time
A game about delivering mail around a sleepy American town? Sounds sort of dull. Perhaps it is, but that’s what makes Lake so special.
"Lake" is a single-player, open world drama game with a 1986 small-town setting, offering a rich plot, stunning graphics, and atmospheric music. As Meredith, you deliver mail, interact with characters, and explore activities, eventually deciding between city life and small-town charm. The game is emotional, humorous, and immersive, despite occasional bugs.
Reviews
- The story is well-written and engaging, with multiple endings and choice interactions that enhance replayability.
- The game has a relaxing atmosphere, beautiful visuals, and a charming soundtrack that creates a cozy experience.
- The characters are relatable and the voice acting is good, making the interactions enjoyable.
- The gameplay can become repetitive, as the main task of delivering mail lacks variety and excitement.
- There are several bugs and technical issues, including audio cutting out and graphical glitches that can disrupt immersion.
- The game is relatively short, which may leave players wanting more content and depth in the story and character interactions.
- story1,034 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story of "Lake" is generally praised for its charming and heartwarming narrative, focusing on themes of nostalgia and personal connection in a small-town setting. While many players appreciate the character development and the ability to influence the story through choices, some feel the plot is too simplistic or linear, with a desire for more depth and length. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience, though some players wish for additional content or side quests to enhance the storytelling.
“The story is really good, and most importantly, I had a lot of fun playing it.”
“The storyline is great, the game is relaxing and has such a cozy vibe, I'm hooked!”
“The story has so much heart and I just know I will be coming back to this game again and again.”
“The story was a bit too simple and cliché, but they managed to make the final choice pretty difficult to make.”
“But for a story-driven game, it feels like the devs had a release date and weren't able to build what they were actually hoping to build.”
“The dialog and characters are cringey, the gameplay uninteresting and uninspired, the story is pretty boring and doesn't actually seem to go anywhere, at least in the first several hours of the game, which is more than I could stand.”
- music328 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its calming and nostalgic qualities, often describing it as fitting for the game's atmosphere. However, a significant number of users criticized the limited selection, noting that the same few songs play on repeat, which can become tedious over time. While some found the soundtrack charming and catchy, others felt it detracted from the overall experience due to its repetitiveness and lack of variety.
“I really love the soundtrack of this game, and have often been listening to the iconic tracks during the day :) some beautiful, uplifting, contemplative, energizing, and awesome tunes!”
“The music and the scenery were beautiful!”
“The soundtrack is incredible (last days of September being my favorite song right now), and I personally found the gameplay - while a tad repetitive - to be a nice breath of fresh air that stands out from other games.”
“The radio in the game only plays like 3 songs on a loop; it drove me crazy. Missed opportunity, music does a lot for a game like this.”
“The music on the radio is terrible.”
“In the beginning, I thought the songs were catchy...but the same few (literally three?) songs for 5+ hours is like some kind of torture.”
- gameplay254 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Lake" is characterized by its slow-paced, repetitive mechanics centered around mail delivery, which some players find relaxing while others deem it tedious and uninspired. While the game offers a charming atmosphere and engaging narrative, many reviews highlight the lack of depth in gameplay elements, with driving mechanics described as clunky and the overall experience feeling more like a narrative simulator than an interactive game. Overall, it appeals to those seeking a tranquil experience but may disappoint players looking for more dynamic gameplay.
“The gameplay is relaxing.”
“The world is inviting, the visuals are soothing, and the gameplay loop is satisfying.”
“It's a beautiful, cozy retreat that offers a pleasant gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay is entirely a chore, and while driving around you’re stuck with an incredibly limited radio station that plays the same seemingly 3 songs over and over again.”
“The gameplay was disappointing, the ending was underwhelming and despite having some good looks and a nice vibe to it, there isn't really much else to come for with the game.”
“The gameplay is minimal and mostly revolves around driving but the story felt honest and felt like my choices throughout made some difference to how things played out.”
- graphics251 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the beautiful and stylized visuals that create a charming atmosphere, reminiscent of titles like "Firewatch." However, some players report issues such as graphical glitches, low render distances, and inconsistent texture quality, which detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game's aesthetic appeal and scenic environments are frequently highlighted as standout features.
“The graphics are really beautiful.”
“The graphics are gorgeous and evocative.”
“The visuals are absolutely stunning, which have made me pull over from my daily mail route to just look around.”
“Reading the negative reviews because the game wouldn't even load the first time I opened it and then kept having weird graphical glitches on the title screen.”
“The graphics are very simple, and I agree with many others that maybe they are a bit too simple, but the style itself matches perfectly.”
“There are quite a few bugs and some graphics (like the truck cargo) seem unfinished.”
- atmosphere100 mentions
- 52 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the essence of a small American town in the 1980s. Players appreciate the charming visuals, soothing soundtrack, and the overall tranquil vibe, which create a cozy experience despite some criticisms regarding repetitive gameplay and occasional immersion-breaking elements. While the game excels in establishing a captivating environment, some reviewers noted a lack of atmospheric sound effects that could enhance the experience further.
“The atmosphere of the game perfectly captures the vibe of the 80s in an American tiny town - awkward small talks with neighbors you once knew, reuniting with a childhood friend, even a couple of romance lines.”
“The soft and melodic tunes perfectly complement the game's tranquil atmosphere, enhancing the sense of nostalgia and serenity.”
“Lake's enchanting atmosphere is further elevated by its captivating soundtrack.”
“The radio has a desperately short playlist and, while the songs are quite fitting for the atmosphere, they grate after a while.”
“Despite hitting the nail on the head in terms of atmosphere, I would never put this game in the 'choices matter' tag since literally none of your dialogue options really matter.”
“While I love the overall atmosphere of the game, I often find myself wishing I could skip through conversations.”
- stability93 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is marked by numerous bugs and glitches, including issues with dialogue synchronization, visual anomalies, and occasional freezing. While many players found these problems to be minor and not game-breaking, they nonetheless detracted from the overall experience for some. Despite the technical shortcomings, the game's charm and storytelling were often enough to keep players engaged.
“Runs great on Steam Deck.”
“Reading the negative reviews because the game wouldn't even load the first time I opened it and then kept having weird graphical glitches on the title screen.”
“The game was buggy (I at one point randomly spawned in Robert's yard without my truck, cars were appearing flying in the air or got stuck in the road so traffic backed up through the entire town, I hit random invisible walls, people vanished mid-cutscene, etc.) and ultimately just felt so super unfinished.”
“The other main piece of the game is the social interactions, and they were so buggy that it seemed to skip chunks of dialog or not bother to play the sound for them at all.”
- emotional86 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game "Lake" is characterized by its wholesome and heartwarming narrative, which resonates with players seeking a relaxing and nostalgic experience. While many appreciate the charming characters and the cozy atmosphere, some critiques highlight a lack of emotional depth and connection among characters, leaving certain players feeling detached. Overall, it is recommended for those who enjoy simple, heartfelt stories, though it may not satisfy those looking for more intense emotional engagement.
“I’m grateful to the creators for crafting such a heartfelt experience.”
“Set in the idyllic town of Providence Oaks, this game manages to evoke a heartwarming sense of nostalgia, painting a vivid picture of a simpler time.”
“The beautiful world kept me playing, and it didn't even take one in-game day before I was completely invested - this game is not only visually stunning, but it really is an emotional journey.”
- grinding50 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 8 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game—primarily the repetitive mail delivery tasks—becomes increasingly tedious over time, especially during extended playthroughs. While the initial experience is enjoyable and the dialogue can be entertaining, many reviewers noted that the slow pace and lack of challenge lead to boredom as the game progresses. Despite these criticisms, some players appreciated the game's relaxing nature and charming aesthetics, which helped mitigate the tedium.
“The pace is slow but not tedious.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Delivering mail in this game was fun at the start, but as it drags on, it becomes more and more boring and tedious towards the end.”
“However, towards the end of the game, delivering mail became more and more tedious and just kind of seemed like filler to make the game last longer.”
“When I started, the concept seemed cute and fun, but unfortunately as things went further, I found this game to be exceptionally tedious and boring.”
- humor42 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its charming and quirky interactions, often enhanced by well-voiced characters and amusing glitches that add to the overall experience. Players find the dialogue witty and engaging, with many moments eliciting genuine laughter, despite some trivial story elements. The combination of relaxing gameplay and humorous scenarios creates a delightful atmosphere, making it a fun and memorable experience.
“There’s something oddly funny about it, and it often makes for great conversation starters with friends and coworkers.”
“The ending managed to make me burst out laughing several times in a row, mostly because of dialogue choices such as [hug her] and [don't hug her] in relation to random characters you spoke to twice, and Meredith teleporting around like a skinwalker every time there was a change in what was being said.”
“The highlight of the game is the dialogue, which often made me laugh out loud, and the voice acting was perfect.”
- replayability38 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed among users, with some appreciating the different endings and narrative choices that encourage multiple playthroughs, while others criticize the lack of significant variation in gameplay and the inability to skip lengthy cutscenes. Although some find it enjoyable enough to revisit for its atmosphere and character interactions, many feel that the overall experience is short and lacks depth, leading to limited replay value.
“It has good replay value if you want to see alternative endings or storylines.”
“I will come back to the game, though, since not only is there replayability due to the narrative choices and different endings, but for the atmosphere and feel of the game itself.”
“I love the storylines and it's very replayable to see the different endings.”
“My biggest concern with the game is that it's short and not really replayable.”
“Aside from the three potential endings to the game, there’s not much that changes throughout the course of the playthrough, so there’s not much on offer in terms of replayability.”
“There's no replay value to speak of.”
- optimization25 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant performance issues such as stuttering, glitches, and high CPU usage, particularly on lower-end consoles. While some found the experience enjoyable despite these flaws, others felt that the lack of polish and optimization detracted from the overall gameplay, making it difficult to recommend. Overall, the consensus is that the game could benefit from further optimization to enhance performance and stability.
“Performance or gameplay surpasses the passing mark and stands out from the average.”
“Pretty well optimized thus far for me.”
“For starters, I really think that this game could've been polished and optimized a bit more.”
“Optimization isn't great and there are some glitchy issues, but nothing that killed the experience.”
“Badly optimized stutter-fest.”
“In addition, it's poorly optimized and uses about 40% of my CPU when running - I have a high-end system.”
- character development21 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with many praising the depth and charm of the characters and their designs, as well as the engaging storylines. However, some players feel that character development is lacking, with criticisms about flat personalities and minimal emotional expression. Overall, while there are notable strengths in character design and narrative engagement, there is a consensus that further development could enhance the experience.
“Beautiful story, good character development.”
“Relaxing, peaceful game with a really great plot line and in-depth character development.”
“Quaint, relaxing, soundtrack was charming and the character development was deep enough to enjoy the nuances they each add to the overall story.”
“Really basic character development.”
“Almost every character is flat and completely unlikable, and there is pretty much zero character development in any of them.”
“The character development could have been improved; facial expressions aren't a thing in the game, so no matter if a character is happy, mad, etc., they have a blank expression.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The monetization model primarily relies on microtransactions for in-game purchases, which some players appreciate for enhancing the gameplay experience, including the ability to influence a love story element.
“Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
“The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the monetization model allows for fair play without forcing players to spend money.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
“Microtransactions - in-game purchases.”
Critic Reviews
Lake Review
An interesting idea marred by a subpar execution, Lake is more tedious than it is relaxing and immersive. The atmosphere is neat, and the whole process of taking it easy and just enjoying the simple act of delivering the mail is surprisingly cathartic, but it's not enough to keep you here for more than an hour. There is some talking to be done with a number of characters as well, but this is sadly the least exciting thing here. The townsfolk are so boring that driving the empty roads and simply delivering the mail is more preferable.
50%Lake Review - A Relaxing Experience With Fantastic Writing And Charming Visuals
I loved my time in Lake and wished it lasted a bit longer. Though mail delivery doesn't sound so appealing, it was nice and relaxing to drive around a small town and take in the sights. Providence Oaks' town is full of people with big personalities that you can interact with however you want. It has some issues with pop-in issues and repetitive musical score, but it's easy to overlook these issues when the people of Providence Oaks are so delightful to talk to.
80%Lake Review
While the concept of Lake is simple and sweet, the repetitive gameplay can take away from the story and its interesting characters, making the daily delivery tasks more of a chore than something more.
65%