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.
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 puzzle-solving mechanics are engaging and well-balanced, providing just the right amount of challenge without becoming frustrating.
- The game features clever references and Easter eggs that delight fans of the genre, enhancing the overall experience.
- The game is quite short, lasting only about 1-2 hours, which may leave some players wanting more content.
- Some players may find the tank controls and fixed camera angles disorienting or frustrating, especially if they are not accustomed to this style of gameplay.
- There are instances of backtracking that can feel tedious, as players may need to revisit the same areas multiple times to progress.
- atmosphere87 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and eerie qualities, drawing strong comparisons to classic titles like Silent Hill and Twin Peaks. Reviewers highlight the effective use of sound design, music, and environmental storytelling to create a thick tension that enhances the overall experience, despite limited combat elements. The nostalgic PS1 graphics and well-crafted puzzles further contribute to a haunting and memorable atmosphere that resonates with fans of the genre.
“The developers nailed the atmosphere; it is an auditory treat from the music to the satisfying UI sounds.”
“The atmosphere, camera angles, sound design, and pacing are just top notch!”
“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 film grain, the dithered fog and shaders, the affine texture warping... the perfectly minimalistic, near impressionistic environmental construction - it's all perfect, both in terms of evoking the PS1 era and in delivering a mysterious, clammy, mildew-infested, ivy-wreathed atmosphere of decay.”
“This short game keeps its dreadful atmosphere from beginning to the end.”
- story52 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story is characterized by a thick atmosphere and engaging environmental storytelling, with players piecing together a narrative through diary entries and subtle clues. While it draws heavily on influences from classic horror like Silent Hill and Twin Peaks, some reviewers feel it lacks originality and can be overly cryptic. Overall, the narrative is intriguing and well-written, leaving players eager for more, despite its brevity and reliance on text-based storytelling.
“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, with 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.”
- graphics51 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Lake Haven: Chrysalis" are widely praised for their nostalgic homage to the PlayStation 1 era, effectively capturing the eerie atmosphere reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. Reviewers appreciate the game's chunky, retro visuals and minimalist aesthetic, which enhance the overall experience and evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. The art style, combined with atmospheric sound design, successfully immerses players in a familiar yet unsettling world, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
“The graphics, sound, and atmosphere are on point.”
“This game absolutely nails the survival horror aesthetic of the PS1 era with a compelling short story and moody environments.”
“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.”
“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.”
“It's unfortunate - I'm usually very comfortable with NPR/representational visuals on more 'realistic' backgrounds, but I found it jarring here.”
“The graphics have their charms, felt indie and it grows on you, especially if you have played a lot of the PS1 90s games.”
- gameplay29 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 66 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay is a nostalgic homage to classic survival horror, drawing inspiration from titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil, with a strong emphasis on exploration and puzzle-solving. While some players appreciate the smooth mechanics and engaging atmosphere, others find the reliance on traditional puzzle styles and item interactions somewhat repetitive and lacking in variety. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience for fans of the genre, though it may benefit from deeper mechanics and fresh narrative elements in future iterations.
“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.”
“The gameplay and the puzzles are well crafted and feel like a combination of Resident Evil and Silent Hill.”
“All of the elements of Lake Haven Chrysalis—the music, the art, the sound effects, the narrative, the gameplay—collude to transport you back in time to the foggy landscapes, dank corridors, body horror, and conspiratorial aesthetics that characterized 1990's horror.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's on the weak side for my taste because I didn't like 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.”
- music28 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 11 % 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 ambient and unsettling tracks that effectively build tension. While most of the soundtrack is lauded for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, some users noted occasional mismatches between the music and the mood of specific scenes. Overall, the audio design, including sound effects and UI sounds, contributes significantly to the game's eerie and engaging experience.
“The developers nailed the atmosphere; it is an auditory treat from the music to the satisfying UI sounds.”
“The music, much like classic Silent Hill, adds a ton of atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, puzzles, and map design are all well crafted, but the audio design and music is what steals the show.”
“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.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Lake Haven - Chrysalis" is a mixed bag; while some players find the protagonist's jokes and clever references enjoyable and a nice distraction from the game's tense atmosphere, others feel that the humor can be overdone and detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game strikes a balance between lightheartedness and horror, with some players appreciating the dry humor and clever writing.
“Lake Haven - Chrysalis is an effective vertical slice and intriguing teaser, simulating oblique horror with a nerve-inducing atmosphere and surprisingly chipper humor.”
“There is a fine line between making too many dumb jokes and having no humor at all, and to me this game handled it well.”
“The humor and references were clever and a nice touch for fans of the genre.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The audio in the game effectively creates a tense atmosphere, enhancing the emotional experience for players.
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game has been reported to have some stability issues, with users experiencing bugs that hinder gameplay, such as difficulties in using certain features like the clock hands.
“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.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
“I encountered several glitches that disrupted my gameplay experience.”
