Lake Haven: Chrysalis
- January 18, 2023
- Encrypt Games
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"Lake Haven: Chrysalis" is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a small town with a dark secret. As the new therapist in town, you'll build relationships with the townsfolk and unravel the mysteries of Lake Haven. With multiple endings based on your choices and actions, every playthrough is a unique experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Lake Haven: Chrysalis captures the nostalgic atmosphere of classic PS1 survival horror games, particularly Silent Hill, with its eerie visuals and sound design.
- The game features engaging puzzles that require thoughtful exploration and item interaction, providing a satisfying gameplay experience.
- The homage to iconic horror franchises like Silent Hill and Twin Peaks is well-executed, with numerous clever references and Easter eggs that fans will appreciate.
- The game is quite short, lasting only about 1-2 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some players found the tank controls and fixed camera angles to be frustrating, making navigation challenging at times.
- There are instances of backtracking and repetitive tasks that can detract from the overall pacing and enjoyment of the game.
- atmosphere174 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Lake Haven - Chrysalis" is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, effectively evoking nostalgia for classic PS1 horror games like Silent Hill and Twin Peaks. Reviewers highlight the game's meticulous attention to sound design, environmental storytelling, and visual aesthetics, which collectively create a thick, suspenseful ambiance that enhances the overall experience. While the gameplay leans more towards atmospheric exploration and puzzle-solving rather than traditional survival horror elements, the tension and mood are consistently noted as standout features that keep players engaged.
“The developers nailed the atmosphere; it is an auditory treat from the music to the satisfying UI sounds.”
“The atmosphere is perfect for a horror game; 5/5.”
“The atmosphere is thick - there's only one instance of combat and it comes quite late, leaving the tension to build as you try to work out what exactly has happened here through environmental storytelling and the classic found diary entries that victims and perpetrators love to scatter around their homes for enterprising detectives to find.”
“He keeps making stupid little jokes and they are never funny in any way, ruining the atmosphere.”
“This short game keeps its dreadful atmosphere from beginning to the end.”
- story104 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The story is a compelling blend of environmental storytelling and psychological horror, drawing heavy inspiration from classics like Silent Hill and Twin Peaks. While it is relatively short, the narrative effectively builds tension and intrigue through diary entries and atmospheric design, leaving players eager for more. However, some reviewers noted an over-reliance on familiar themes and cryptic elements that may detract from its originality.
“The atmosphere is thick - there's only one instance of combat and it comes quite late, leaving the tension to build as you try to work out what exactly has happened here through environmental storytelling and the classic found diary entries that victims and perpetrators love to scatter around their homes for enterprising detectives to find.”
“The story was very well written and I wanted to know more of what happened even after the game was over.”
“The story has a nice mix of a standard Silent Hill dreamlike vibe and a down-to-earth investigation story a la the X-Files influence, though the story also did give me hints of some really weird Lovecraftian vibes that I am so down for.”
“Over-reliance on text to tell the story.”
“I feel like they could not have told the story in a more cryptic way. I get it that this is going to continue in a future game, but it makes it so that this game feels more like a demo than an actual game with a beginning, middle, and ending.”
“Without that context, the story in this game can seem like a very vague experience.”
- graphics102 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Lake Haven: Chrysalis" are widely praised for their nostalgic homage to the PlayStation 1 era, effectively capturing the aesthetic and atmosphere of classic survival horror games like "Silent Hill." Reviewers appreciate the game's charmingly blocky visuals and minimalist design, which evoke a sense of eerie familiarity and enhance the overall experience. The deliberate use of retro graphics, including options for 4:3 format and CRT filters, further immerses players in a hauntingly atmospheric world reminiscent of 90s horror.
“The visuals are absolutely lovely too - this is how you remember PS1/PS2 games looking rather than how they actually were.”
“Overall, I love me an indie horror game with chunky PlayStation 1 graphics and a reverence for Silent Hill, Twin Peaks, and overall atmospheric vibes.”
“This game absolutely nails the survival horror aesthetic of the PS1 era with a compelling short story and moody environments.”
“It's unfortunate - I'm usually very comfortable with NPR/representational visuals on more 'realistic' backgrounds, but I found it jarring here.”
“The deliberately old-fashioned trembling graphics, which can (should?!) be played in 4:3 format, CRT filter and 24 fps mode, reflect exactly the horror of the PS1 era.”
“The graphics have their charms, felt indie and it grows on you, especially if you have played a lot of the PS1 90s games.”
- gameplay58 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror, particularly reminiscent of Silent Hill and Resident Evil, featuring a strong emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving rather than combat. While many players appreciate the smooth mechanics and engaging puzzles, some critique the reliance on traditional gameplay elements, expressing a desire for more variety and depth, especially in inventory management. Overall, the experience is described as enjoyable but brief, with a runtime of about 90 minutes, making it a compelling yet familiar journey through a horror-themed narrative.
“A wonderful introduction to the world of Lake Haven, a love letter to Silent Hill and Twin Peaks, with a lot of its own charm and a fantastic flow to its puzzles and mechanics.”
“All of the elements of Lake Haven Chrysalis--the music, the art, the sound effects, the narrative, the gameplay--all of it colludes to transport you back in time to the foggy landscapes, dank corridors, body horror, and conspiratorial aesthetics that characterized 1990's horror.”
“The gameplay and the puzzles are well crafted and feel like a combination of Resident Evil and Silent Hill.”
“Gameplay-wise it's on the weak side for my taste, as I didn't enjoy this style of puzzles where you need to read a book with a riddle, use random items on other random items, and get some key to open a strange door.”
“Even in this one-hour preview, I started to get bored with the 'pick this up & take it here' gameplay loop.”
“Overall, a great concept but needs way more variety in the gameplay in the final game to keep my attention.”
- music56 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, drawing strong comparisons to classic horror titles like Silent Hill, with a mix of eerie and nostalgic tones that effectively heighten tension. While most tracks are well-received, some players noted that certain pieces occasionally clash with the game's mood. Overall, the audio design, including subtle sound effects and UI sounds, contributes significantly to the immersive experience, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The developers nailed the atmosphere; it is an auditory treat from the music to the satisfying UI sounds.”
“The atmosphere, puzzles, and map design are all well crafted, but the audio design and music is what steals the show.”
“Just finished Lake Haven - Chrysalis, and I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience. The PS1 art style gave me a dose of nostalgia, while the eerie atmosphere and subtle music added an extra layer of suspense.”
“Oh, one thing, I did not like the effects in the song when you are outside; it sounds like something is walking toward you, but it takes away from the mood once you know it's just part of the music.”
“When you make an atmospheric game, so much of it is just making the correct choices with the sound effects and music, so if there is one thing this game did really well that would be it (except for the stomps in the yard music, that was a bit random).”
“The soundtrack has that Yamaoka signature but feels a lot more Angelo Badalamenti than it does Trent Reznor.”
- humor16 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Lake Haven - Chrysalis" receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the clever and chipper humor that complements the game's tense atmosphere, others find the jokes to be unfunny and disruptive. The protagonist's humor is likened to that of Heather Mason, striking a balance between lightheartedness and the game's horror elements, though some feel that the references to other games can be excessive. Overall, the humor serves as a mild distraction, enhancing the experience for fans of the genre.
“Lake Haven - Chrysalis is an effective vertical slice and intriguing teaser, simulating oblique horror with nerve-inducing atmosphere, and surprisingly chipper humor.”
“The humor and references were clever and a nice touch for fans of the genre.”
“Tank controls, lapel-mounted flashlight, dry humor when you press the investigation button on mundane items, and some really good audio work elevate this one above most other attempts at the genre.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users report that the audio in the game effectively creates a tense emotional atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience.
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have stability issues, with users experiencing bugs that hinder gameplay, such as problems with using certain features like the clock hands. Overall, these glitches have led to some confusion and frustration among players.
“It seemed to be a bit buggy in places; at first, it wouldn't let me use the clock hands, so I thought I needed to do something else.”
