Lamentum

About

Lamentum is a single player survival role playing game with horror, fantasy, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Obscure Tales and was released on August 27, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

"Lamentum" is a single-player Horror Role Playing game set in a pixel art survival-horror universe, featuring an intriguing story and awesome gameplay. Immerse yourself in a nightmarish world inspired by classics like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, as you uncover the dark secrets of Grau Hill Mansion to save your beloved wife. Every decision you make may alter the course of the story, and the unique atmosphere, amazing graphics, and exceptional music will keep you on the edge of your seat. Will you survive the horrors that await you?

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 245 reviews

story46 positive mentions

grinding12 negative mentions

Engaging story with good pacing and progression, featuring multiple endings and a secret ending.
Unique visual style with well-crafted pixel art and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere.
Smooth inventory management and enjoyable puzzles that encourage exploration.

Combat can feel clunky and repetitive, with some enemies lacking depth in mechanics.
Certain puzzles and areas can be confusing without clear guidance, leading to frustrating backtracking.
Some players may find the game too easy due to plentiful resources like medication and ammo.

story
136 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The story of *Lamentum* is a compelling blend of classic survival horror tropes, featuring a young aristocrat's desperate quest to save his sick wife amidst a backdrop of cosmic horror and gothic elements. While some reviewers noted its predictability and derivative nature, many praised its engaging narrative, atmospheric visuals, and the depth provided by multiple endings and environmental storytelling. Overall, the game offers a rich, immersive experience that resonates with fans of the genre, despite some criticisms regarding pacing and clarity in the plot's resolution.
- “Lamentum delivers a compelling survival horror experience, combining great sound effects that perfectly complement the game's visual style with a story that, while somewhat cliché and inspired by familiar horror media, is presented through a unique and engaging perspective.”
- “The story is alive, captivating, and keeps up a sense of creepiness and tension at all times, an absolute rarity these days.”
- “Rich and immersive storytelling: the game's narrative is steeped in mystery and psychological horror, with a well-crafted plot that keeps players engaged and curious about the dark secrets that unfold.”
- “The plot and endings are clearly inspired by Silent Hill 2, and the tiny amount of difference from these two games is just using Amnesia: The Dark Descent to fill in the cracks.”
- “The story is also painfully predictable, layered in every trope of the genre you can think of.”
- “I had hoped that the story would kind of make sense in the end, but after playing it I know as much as I knew after 2 hours of playtime.”
gameplay
75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
32%
55%
13%
The gameplay of "Lamentum" is a blend of classic survival horror mechanics reminiscent of titles like Resident Evil and Silent Hill, featuring exploration, resource management, and puzzle-solving within a pixel-art aesthetic. While many players appreciate the nostalgic feel and engaging atmosphere, some criticize the combat mechanics as clunky and the gameplay as occasionally tedious, with a steep difficulty curve and frustrating instant-death traps. Overall, it offers a solid experience for fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to those seeking deeper mechanics or a more casual playstyle.
- “The gameplay is very good; it feels like Resident Evil meets Silent Hill. You're stuck in a big mansion with limited ammo like Resident Evil, but you also have melee weapons like Silent Hill while the whole mansion is crawling with monsters and puzzles you need to solve. It was a good balance of both franchises mixed into one.”
- “Lamentum is an awesome top-down, 2D style survival horror largely inspired by the pace and gameplay of the first Resident Evil and Silent Hill games. It does most things right and gameplay is tight.”
- “The atmosphere and environment are incredibly well thought out and designed, the story is engaging and interesting, and the gameplay itself is brilliant.”
- “The gameplay is okay most of the time and extremely annoying in some moments.”
- “Well, there are instant-death traps that you wouldn't know until you trip them, and that sets you back 30+ minutes of gameplay.”
- “The mechanics for fighting and the experience itself were terrible, and led to frustration a few times.”
graphics
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
42%
5%
The graphics of the game are characterized by a beautifully crafted pixel art style that effectively enhances the atmospheric horror experience, drawing inspiration from classic survival horror titles. Players appreciate the intricate details and unique creature designs, which contribute to a haunting and immersive world, despite some critiques regarding the quality of cutscenes. Overall, the art style is a standout feature, successfully blending gothic aesthetics with a retro vibe that resonates well with fans of the genre.
- “The pixel graphic art style is really good with very good detail, designs, and backgrounds, and its good use of colors, especially how it used the color red.”
- “With its haunting art style and well-crafted narrative, it immerses players in a nightmarish world where terror lurks at every turn.”
- “Graphically, the game looks great with its well-done pixel style of art.”
- “My only complaint about the graphics is the cut scenes and character pictures which don't have the same quality as the rest of the game.”
- “I think if the same game was made with modern graphics, it would be kind of gross at moments.”
- “Visually there's a plethora of enemies, but in many cases the variety is merely aesthetic.”
atmosphere
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
32%
5%
The atmosphere of "Lamentum" is widely praised for its thick sense of mystery and emotional resonance, enhanced by haunting soundtracks, evocative pixel art, and well-crafted dialogue. Players appreciate the game's ability to instill fear and tension without relying on jump scares, creating a chilling and immersive experience reminiscent of classic survival horror titles like Silent Hill. While some may find the pacing slow and certain gameplay elements tedious, the overall atmosphere is considered a standout feature that effectively draws players into its unsettling world.
- “Lamentum is a chilling and atmospheric horror adventure that plunges players into a nightmarish and macabre world filled with dark secrets and unfathomable horrors.”
- “The art, music, sound design, and overall atmosphere are superb: dark and spooky, but without the continual 'nope!' factor that prevents me from getting into Amnesia: Dark Descent.”
- “The atmosphere is thick with mystery, supported by a haunting soundtrack, well-written (though unvoiced) dialogue, and an overall tone that gives the game a strong, distinctive identity.”
- “Its this dreary atmosphere of hopelessness throughout that really rounds this game out.”
- “Another thing that the game manages to nail down surprisingly well is atmosphere which it achieves via music, sounds, the feeling of isolation as well as uncertainty as you never quite know what to expect around the next corner.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
36%
9%
The music in the game is widely praised for its ability to enhance the atmosphere, with haunting soundtracks and well-composed tracks that fit the game's tone perfectly. Reviewers highlight the effective use of minimalistic melodies, particularly in safe rooms, which evoke feelings of isolation and despair. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's distinctive identity and immersive experience, making it a standout feature.
- “The atmosphere is thick with mystery, supported by a haunting soundtrack, well-written (though unvoiced) dialogue, and an overall tone that gives the game a strong, distinctive identity.”
- “The environments are beautifully detailed, and the music sets the game's tone well; the save room theme is particularly haunting!”
- “It's a very distinctive indie horror game, charming visuals and foreboding atmosphere, excellent creature design, and the music is especially great.”
- “On the other side, music that does not seem as such and just haphazard noise.”
- “I can't really remember any music from the game other than the sad piano music.”
- “Though there is no voice acting, the ambience invokes despair through music and sound design, the dark heart of the game.”
replayability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
50%
21%
The game's replayability is enhanced by multiple endings and branching choices, allowing players to explore different outcomes and secrets. However, some reviewers noted that the fundamental gameplay lacks variety, making repeated playthroughs feel less engaging despite the presence of various puzzles and endings. Overall, while there is significant replay value for those seeking to uncover all content, the experience may not be compelling enough for everyone to return.
- “There are a wide variety of puzzles including pictograph/cipher puzzles, item combination puzzles, memory puzzles, and even some items that can be used exclusively for specific solutions, giving the game some replay value to see all there is to see.”
- “Multiple endings and choices: players' decisions throughout the game influence the outcome, offering replayability and a sense of agency in shaping the narrative.”
- “Tons of replayability due to branching quest lines, obscure secrets, and multiple endings.”
- “Multiple missable endings probably don't belong in a game with no replay value.”
- “I don't quite understand the reason for having so many endings when the replayability of the game is so low; as far as I could tell, dialogue choices changed nothing with regards to where items, puzzles, or enemies were found, so you would be playing the exact same game with no variation for a repeat playthrough.”
- “Though the game is not replayable in the traditional sense that different dialogue options offer different outcomes, there are four different endings you can achieve based on your decisions nearing the end of the game, including a true secret ending.”
grinding
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
92%
Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and time-consuming, particularly due to excessive backtracking, cumbersome inventory management, and a lack of effective map navigation. While some appreciate the atmosphere it creates, many feel that these elements detract from the overall experience, especially in the later stages of the game. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant flaw that can hinder enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “There are also moments where backtracking feels tedious, especially if you're short on resources and have to navigate long stretches of already cleared areas.”
- “Apart from that, the inventory mechanics are tedious and utterly time-wasting; you also can't rebind keys.”
- “Lamentum is a ¾ full, ¼ empty experience that takes some wrong lessons from its genre roots, like overly tedious inventory management, bad map, and braindead characters while showing some development faux pas as you play along, hinting at the inexperience of its creators.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Lamentum effectively captivates players with its tragic tone and emotional stakes, creating a deeply atmospheric horror experience that resonates on both psychological and emotional levels. The game respects its influences while carving out its own identity, emphasizing the emotional toll alongside physical challenges.
- “It begins with a tragic tone, drawing players in with emotional stakes rather than action.”
- “Ultimately, Lamentum succeeds in delivering a deeply atmospheric and emotionally resonant horror game that respects its influences while establishing its own identity.”
- “And it goes beyond merely physical health; it takes as much an emotional toll as it is psychological in nature.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely perceived as lacking, with comparisons made to a more serious version of "Yuppie Psycho." Players express frustration over the inclusion of backer signatures, which detracts from the intended atmosphere of the game.
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users have reported stability issues, particularly noting that the game frequently freezes for a few seconds when attempting to shoot with the pistol, which detracts from the overall experience.
- “The art style is cool and I think the story is interesting, but my only problem with the game is that every time I go to shoot with the pistol, the game freezes for a couple of seconds.”