Lakeview Valley
- July 27, 2019
- Hypnohustler
- 7h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"Lakeview Valley" is a murder mystery RPG set in a shady town where everyone has a secret. Day/night cycles and encounters with horrifying enemies add to the suspense. Your moral choices will determine one of the game's multiple endings, encouraging replayability as you uncover the unique backstories of over twenty NPCs.
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and intriguing horror story with multiple endings, providing a lot of replayability.
- The character interactions and the freedom to choose between being a good or evil character add depth to the gameplay.
- The pixel art style and atmosphere create a charming yet unsettling experience that keeps players engaged.
- The game is plagued with numerous bugs and glitches that can make it frustrating and sometimes unplayable.
- Many players find the gameplay tedious, with slow mechanics and a lack of clear direction on objectives.
- The game feels unfinished, with some mechanics and features not fully developed, leading to a sense of disappointment.
- story95 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Lakeview Valley" is described as a dark, intriguing, and often disturbing narrative that unfolds through a mix of character interactions and player choices, offering multiple endings and deep lore. While some players appreciate the depth and complexity of the storytelling, others find it convoluted and hindered by gameplay mechanics that can disrupt the narrative flow. Overall, the game is noted for its unique blend of horror and humor, though technical issues and pacing problems can detract from the experience.
“Lakeview Valley is probably Roope’s most ambitious title, ditching the side-scrolling and going for an isometric open-world RPG with things to see, people to do, and a rabbit hole story that goes so deep you may find yourself shaking hands with the devil himself, with revelations that are as shocking and disturbing as they are rewarding to discover.”
“The story is a slow burn, but the revelations help to contrast the generally laid-back facade of the setting with grisly and pretty disturbing story beats.”
“The story depth is amazing.”
“The story is incredibly vague and convoluted; keeping in mind that this is part of the Lakeview Cabin franchise, this shouldn't be a surprise, but somehow the way it's executed here, along with certain plot elements, just comes across as plain weird or extremely off-putting.”
“The pacing of the gameplay and story and how they interact is another major problem.”
“This storytelling decision is honestly not very good at all, and probably stemmed from wanting to have a lot of branching story possibilities and encourage people to try tons of different things without burdening the story with the consequences of those actions, allowing you to start fresh and try other things.”
- stability43 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly detract from the overall experience, often rendering it frustrating and unplayable. While many players appreciate the unique concept and engaging gameplay, the instability and frequent game-breaking issues have led to a consensus that it feels unfinished and in need of substantial patches. Despite ongoing updates from the developers, the current state of the game remains a major concern for potential players.
“It's nothing but a buggy mess full of soft locks and stun locks that ruin your run.”
“The game is very buggy, but it's also very fun and original.”
“It's sad that the developer didn't manage to patch all game-breaking bugs and glitches since it is such a unique experience and many aspects of it are so fascinating.”
- gameplay37 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, featuring intriguing mechanics and a unique atmosphere, but marred by significant bugs and a lack of intuitive design. Players often find themselves frustrated by the need for walkthroughs to navigate the complex systems and the tedious nature of time-based events. While there are enjoyable elements and replayability, many reviewers recommend caution due to the game's unfinished feel and problematic mechanics.
“So much fun and massively replayable, with a deep story, interesting characters, and great gameplay; Lakeview Valley is a hell of a good game!”
“The open-world mechanic is very fun because it lets you explore the village and choose exactly what activities to do and people to help.”
“The gameplay is enjoyable and killing the NPCs feels significant.”
“The fast forward mechanic outright breaks a number of events, and entire mechanics that seem important are completely nonfunctional.”
“There's a lot of tedium in this game, most of it stemming from the basic gameplay idea of having events tied to real time passing, forcing you to be in the right place at the right time or wait for certain events to trigger, combined with the time loop plot mechanic.”
“In terms of gameplay, it's not intuitive... it's hard to figure out how to play if you don't watch walkthroughs and stuff.”
- grinding20 mentions
- 15 % positive mentions
- -10 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with players expressing frustration over the need to repeatedly complete minor tasks and quests to progress. While some appreciate the game's unique twist on the farming genre, many find the experience to be bogged down by bugs and a lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of monotony. Overall, the grinding feels more like a chore than an enjoyable gameplay loop, detracting from the potential fun of the concept.
“It's like Harvest Moon with a twist, but without the farming.”
“The grinding aspect keeps me engaged and motivated to level up my character.”
“I love how the grinding feels rewarding, making each small achievement satisfying.”
“The problem is that at the same time you have to endure stuff like re-doing all of the tedious little quests to gain footing from the villagers, and even minor things like moving the garbage from your lawn each reset.”
“It seems unfinished and is incredibly tedious.”
“While I was excited about the concept of this game, I found the constant need to restart after accidentally pressing the wrong key and killing someone to be tedious and repetitive.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players highlighting the deep story, interesting characters, and numerous secrets to uncover. Multiple endings and the ability to learn new things in each playthrough contribute to its lasting appeal, making it enjoyable even after several runs. However, a few users noted that replayability may be limited for some, suggesting a mixed experience in this aspect.
“So much fun and massively replayable, with a deep story, interesting characters, and great gameplay; Lakeview Valley is a hell of a good game!”
“This game has a lot of replayability and I'm already on my third game and still can't believe all the things I'm finding to do.”
“It's not a very complicated game and has a lot of replay value (and given the length of the game, that is appreciated).”
“Must say it is right that the game has replay value, and every new game you get to learn new things about this weird village.”
“Seriously, this has crazy replayability and so many secrets to uncover.”
- graphics13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful pixel art style, which effectively evokes a nostalgic slasher horror atmosphere reminiscent of classic films from the 70s and 80s. While many players appreciate the unique visuals and overall aesthetic, some report issues with graphical glitches and bugs that detract from the experience. Overall, the art style is a highlight, though potential players should be aware of the graphic violence and sexual content.
“With its great and disarming allure of pixel graphics and a calm setting, surreal and unsettling atmosphere, and its homage to classic slasher films of the 70s and 80s, the 2D side scrollers are a must-play for any fans of the slasher genre or horror in general.”
“The pixel graphics are beautiful and add to the old school slasher horror feel.”
“The art style and themes look really fun.”
“Ok, I'd love to give this game a positive review, but I just can't. I love the art style, the feel of the game world, the story, etc., but my god, it wasn't the game I was thinking it would be when I bought it!”
“Great game (story, unique art style, etc.), but sadly, too goddamn buggy to recommend.”
“Some bugs are minor; for instance, the numerous off-putting graphical glitches and the Steam achievements that often fail to work.”
- humor11 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and twisted elements, often blending horror with comedic moments that can be both unsettling and hilarious. While some players appreciate the witty dialogue and the game's ability to create funny yet horrifying experiences, others find certain aspects, like repetitive gross sound effects, detracting from the overall humor. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of charm and unease, appealing to those who enjoy dark parodies and unexpected comedic scenarios.
“I think I may have been extra weird because I kept making hilarious, game-breaking events happen and I couldn't be happier.”
“So this is a very interesting, twisted, and fun game with lots of dark humor and some scary moments.”
“- The dialogue is witty, hilarious, and at times -- downright unsettling.”
- atmosphere10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its captivating pixel graphics, calm yet surreal setting, and homage to classic slasher films, creating a mysterious and foreboding vibe. Reviewers highlight the tension and disturbing elements, enhanced by effective music and well-crafted crime scenes, making it an engaging experience for horror fans. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's intrigue and entertainment value.
“With its great and disarming allure of pixel graphics and a calm setting, surreal and unsettling atmosphere, and its homage to classic slasher films of the 70’s and 80’s, the 2D side scrollers are a must-play for any fans of the slasher genre or horror in general.”
“Its atmosphere has a very mysterious, foreboding vibe which is what drew me in.”
“The atmosphere and horror in this game are second to none, really, and I love the setup.”
“Aside from the glitches, I enjoy everything that this game has to offer; its atmosphere and the whole plot of the story are genuinely entertaining to experience.”
- music10 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere, with standout pieces that effectively build a sense of mystery. While some players note the repetition of a limited soundtrack, they agree that the music is well-composed and sets the perfect tone, particularly in key moments like the game's opening. However, a few players find the overall experience somewhat monotonous, suggesting that the music may not fully compensate for other gameplay elements.
“The rest of the music builds the atmosphere and feeling of mystery in the best way.”
“The music you hear right as you get off the bus is some of the best opening music I've heard in a horror game.”
“Not my type of game, too much monotonous walking and trying to find things over a grating soundtrack.”
“The crime scenes, the graphics, and the music are quite on spot and atmospheric though, so I'll keep playing and may revise my review.”
“There are only a few pieces of music in the soundtrack that repeat a lot, but fortunately for the player, they are all incredibly good.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, being described as the "most wholesome game on Steam," which resonates well with players, particularly horror fans and those who enjoyed similar titles like Lakeview Cabin. Despite some areas needing improvement, it is highly recommended for its heartfelt experience.
“The most wholesome game on Steam <3”
“Although it still needs a bit of touching up, this is still a strong recommendation for horror fans, and anyone who enjoyed Lakeview Cabin.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express a desire for deeper character development, alongside resolutions to the town's mysteries and the inclusion of additional endings.
“I hope there is more character development and some solutions to the mysteries around town, as well as added endings.”
