Skip to main content

Lamplight City

A great detective game, it's not for the faint-hearted. Well-written and with multiple character paths to choose from, Lamplight City isn't for puzzle seekers but will satisfy those looking for a great mystery.
Lamplight City Game Cover
83%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
grinding, stability
89% User Score Based on 632 reviews
Critic Score 78%Based on 11 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchLinuxPCMac OSPhoneiPadMobile PlatformiPhoneWindows
Buy Nowfrom $10.99
Buy NowGet on Steam $14.99Buy NowGet on Apple Store
Lamplight City Game Cover

About

Lamplight City is a single player puzzle game with mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Grundislav Games and was released on September 13, 2018. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"Lamplight City" is a detective adventure game set in a 19th-century city grappling with poverty and crime. As private investigator Miles Fordham, you must solve five cases, interrogating suspects and gathering evidence while dealing with the ghostly presence of your deceased partner. Your choices and methods will impact your reputation and relationships as you seek justice and uncover the truth.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
Lamplight City screenshot
+1
Skip User Reviews

89%
Audience ScoreBased on 632 reviews
story173 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with well-developed characters and a richly detailed steampunk setting.
  • Unique gameplay mechanics that allow players to fail cases and still progress, adding depth to the detective experience.
  • High-quality voice acting and beautiful pixel art that enhance the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • Players can easily lock themselves out of solving cases due to dialogue choices, leading to frustration.
  • Lack of traditional inventory and puzzles may disappoint those expecting classic point-and-click gameplay.
  • Some characters and plot elements feel underdeveloped, leading to a less satisfying conclusion.
  • story
    384 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Lamplight City" is a richly woven detective narrative set in a steampunk world, featuring a compelling protagonist, Miles Fordham, whose investigations intertwine personal loss with broader societal themes. While the game excels in character development and atmospheric storytelling, some players find the linear progression and reliance on specific dialogue choices can hinder the experience, potentially leading to missed content. Overall, the narrative is praised for its depth, humor, and engaging plot twists, making it a standout in the point-and-click genre despite some gameplay frustrations.

    • “What sets Lamplight City apart from other adventure titles is its strong emphasis on narrative complexity, choice-driven storytelling, and an immersive atmosphere that evokes the grit and mood of a noir thriller with a distinctive, steam-powered twist.”
    • “The story begins with Miles reluctantly taking on cases after a professional setback, which quickly escalate from seemingly straightforward assignments to conspiracies that reveal the city’s dark underbelly.”
    • “The game excels in pacing and narrative depth, offering multiple story arcs that intertwine and evolve based on player decisions.”
    • “The story is well written in a true old school detective style that reminds me of Sherlock Holmes stories.”
    • “The game mostly consists of choosing dialogue options, but not like Telltale games: it feels more like a classic point-and-click adventure game rather than blindly following an interactive story.”
    • “However, this game has no characters I care about, a boring storyline, and it is an effort to keep playing it thus far.”
  • graphics
    118 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming retro pixel art style that evokes nostalgia for classic point-and-click adventures, reminiscent of titles like *Gabriel Knight* and *Monkey Island*. While many players appreciate the atmospheric hand-drawn visuals and the detailed environments that enhance the steampunk aesthetic, some critiques mention inconsistencies in quality and a desire for more unique artistic choices. Overall, the graphics contribute significantly to the game's immersive experience, complemented by strong voice acting and a fitting soundtrack.

    • “Visually, the game impresses with its hand-drawn art style that perfectly captures the industrial yet archaic vibe of the steampunk era.”
    • “The graphics, setting (bar the steampunk side) and character remind more than fleetingly of the old Gabriel Knight (Sins of the Fathers, not the sequels).”
    • “Absolutely glorious artwork and loads of detail has been packed into every screen.”
    • “Graphics are bad, music is good, atmosphere is good.”
    • “Graphically, the game is pure 1990's despite being released in 2018.”
    • “The game graphics are fine and that is literally the only plus for this game; the storyline is exhausting and tedious, there are too many unnecessary click points and there is virtually no enjoyment.”
  • music
    79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric quality, effectively complementing the visuals and enhancing immersion throughout the experience. Composed by Mark Benis, the soundtrack features a mix of period-appropriate tunes and ambient sounds that heighten tension and mood, contributing significantly to the game's gritty, steampunk atmosphere. Overall, players appreciate the excellent integration of music with voice acting and art, creating a captivating and engaging environment.

    • “Complementing the visuals is a subtle, atmospheric soundtrack that mixes period-appropriate music with ambient sounds, heightening tension and mood throughout the investigation.”
    • “The pixel art and atmospheric music perfectly capture the mood, while the voice acting brings a warmth and realism that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is top notch (love me some steampunk, and it's alternate history to boot!), the writing's excellent, the voice acting is spot on, and the music... oh man, the music!”
    • “Voice acting tends to be good to great but the music lacks variety.”
    • “The music, the voices, sounds and graphics make you feel drawn back to the mid-nineteenth century.”
    • “The clues are fine as is the music; I just don't like the characters, maybe time will change that.”
  • gameplay
    79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in *Lamplight City* is a modern take on the classic point-and-click genre, focusing heavily on dialogue choices and character interactions rather than traditional inventory puzzles. While it offers a richly detailed narrative and multiple endings based on player decisions, some mechanics can be frustrating, such as the potential to lock oneself out of solving cases due to incorrect dialogue choices. Overall, the game provides a cozy, immersive experience that may appeal to fans of narrative-driven adventures, though it may not satisfy those seeking more traditional gameplay elements.

    • “Gameplay in Lamplight City stays true to the roots of the point-and-click genre but with modern improvements that streamline the experience.”
    • “The game’s investigation mechanics keep you on your toes, allowing for different story paths based on your choices, which makes every playthrough feel fresh and unique.”
    • “Interesting worldbuilding, engaging gameplay that straddles the line perfectly between not too easy but not so hard you become frustrated, and a fun variety in stories for each case.”
    • “Gameplay-wise, the most frustrating thing was sometimes if you clicked on an interactive object, Bill would make a snide remark like he does for non-interactive objects, then you would have to click it again to interact with it.”
    • “So the gameplay doesn't offer much of anything besides clicking on the right people and exhausting dialogue in the right order, while you open up new dialogue options with other people until you can conclude the correct, or incorrect, ending for the cases you are meant to solve.”
    • “Interesting story but heavily let down by flawed game mechanics which can essentially lock you out of solving the case correctly as a result of choosing a 'wrong' dialog option.”
  • atmosphere
    67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "Lamplight City" is widely praised for its immersive and richly crafted setting, characterized by a distinctive steampunk aesthetic and a noir-inspired mood. The combination of pixel art graphics, a well-curated color palette, and a subtle yet effective soundtrack enhances the game's narrative complexity and emotional depth, drawing players into its gritty, atmospheric world. While some players noted minor issues with dialogue and graphics, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to create a captivating and engaging detective experience.

    • “What sets Lamplight City apart from other adventure titles is its strong emphasis on narrative complexity, choice-driven storytelling, and an immersive atmosphere that evokes the grit and mood of a noir thriller with a distinctive, steam-powered twist.”
    • “The color palette leans toward muted tones punctuated by the warm glow of gas lamps, reinforcing the noir atmosphere and creating a sense of place that feels both lived-in and mysterious.”
    • “From its captivating storyline to its meticulously crafted steampunk atmosphere, this game delivers an immersive experience that kept me hooked from start to finish.”
    • “Compared to the above-mentioned Unavowed, which truly excelled in moody pixel-art goodness, Lamplight City at times feels a bit amateurish and rushed in its backgrounds and character portraits, with the latter also having its share of uncanny valley moments, detracting from the overall atmosphere.”
    • “While the steampunk atmosphere is present, it's light and provides some interest and amusement.”
    • “The first half an hour of this game I was absolutely engrossed with the eye-drowning atmosphere.”
  • humor
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever writing, witty dialogue, and engaging character interactions, often blending lighthearted moments with darker themes. Players appreciate the unique comedic style, which includes both charming and annoying elements, and the effective use of voice acting that enhances the overall experience. While some found certain characters' humor hit-or-miss, the general consensus is that the game successfully balances humor with its narrative, making it an enjoyable and immersive adventure.

    • “Such a unique game with so much life, attention to detail, humor, fantastic voice acting, incredible background pixel art, stunning animations and absolutely fun and enjoyable developer's commentary.”
    • “The humor here is awesome, the fact that it brings up some genre-specific nuances (interracial relationships, class disparity, and even women being smarter than men in some instances) just made me happy.”
    • “The voice acting is superb, the dialogues are funny and original, the visuals are beautiful, the music is delightful, and the story kept me going.”
    • “Your partner Bill is briefly a highly annoying physical presence at the start of the game, making stupid, unfunny, annoying, and badly voice-acted comments on everything.”
    • “It's not funny and charming; it just makes him seem like a complete tool.”
  • replayability
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability due to its branching dialogue, multiple endings, and various approaches to investigations, allowing players to explore different outcomes based on their choices. While some reviews note a lack of variety in dialogue options, the ability to "fail" cases and the impact of decisions on the story contribute to a compelling experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. Overall, players can expect a rich narrative with high replay value, driven by well-crafted characters and engaging puzzles.

    • “The various different dialogue branches, scenes, and achievements mean there's some replayability there too to fully experience everything the game has to offer.”
    • “Unlike some adventure games where progress can feel linear or rigid, Lamplight City allows for different approaches to investigations and multiple endings depending on how thoroughly you explore and the choices you make, giving the game considerable replay value.”
    • “Because each case has multiple allowed solutions and there are decisions that affect the story, there’s plenty of replay value to be found.”
    • “The ability to 'fail' a case seems to lean towards replayability, but there simply isn't enough variety, if any, in the dialogue or options of the game which you can approach it with, to warrant a repeat playthrough.”
    • “Less replayable”
    • “Very challenging and replayable”
  • emotional
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted narrative and character interactions, which evoke a range of feelings from heart-wrenching moments to satisfying conclusions. While some players found the ending rushed, many appreciated the emotional depth and connections established throughout the story, making it a compelling experience overall. However, a few reviewers noted a lack of engaging characters and a boring storyline, which detracted from the emotional impact for them.

    • “It's gorgeous and the story is emotional and satisfying.”
    • “Overall, I really enjoyed it and stuck with it to the (slightly emotional!) end because of the compelling narrative and good rapport between characters.”
    • “Intriguing cases, a lively well-acted cast, an extensive and beautifully depicted world, and surprisingly emotional by the end.”
    • “However, this game has no characters I care about, a boring storyline, and it is an effort to keep playing it thus far.”
  • grinding
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews on "grinding" in the game highlight a mixed experience; while some players appreciate the streamlined mechanics that reduce tediousness typical of classic adventure games, others find the dialogue-heavy nature and the need to replay for optimal endings exhausting. The game offers interesting achievements with minimal grinding, appealing to those who enjoy detective narratives, but may frustrate players seeking a more dynamic experience. Overall, the perception of grinding largely depends on personal preference for longer, chatty gameplay versus a desire for more action-oriented pacing.

    • “The game graphics are fine and that is literally the only plus for this game; the storyline is exhausting and tedious, there are too many unnecessary click points and there is virtually no enjoyment.”
    • “I get that this is a dialog-heavy game, but sometimes I felt like I was grinding for conversation.”
    • “However, if this sounds boring and tedious to you, then you are probably better off looking elsewhere.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game is a mixed bag; while some players report a smooth experience with no bugs, others encounter significant issues, including frequent bugs that require constant reloading and problems with autosave functionality. Additionally, users on Linux have noted performance degradation over time, necessitating restarts. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary widely among players.

    • “The good thing is that it's not buggy; it works fine and smooth.”
    • “The game runs incredibly stable, with no crashes or major issues.”
    • “I've experienced zero lag or glitches, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “The plot and the animation are absolutely gorgeous, but it's too buggy. To avoid issues, you end up reloading endlessly to get the game to trigger if you played intuitively and not in the exact order it demands without context or cues.”
    • “The game is buggy.”
    • “Buggy, and there's no way to restart cases without restarting the entire game if you haven't made multiple saves and just relied on autosave.”
  • character development
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The character development in the game is highly praised, featuring a compelling blend of backstory and growth that enhances the narrative. Players appreciate the unique approach to the narrator and the intertwining of character arcs with the overarching story, alongside strong voice acting and engaging graphics. Overall, the game effectively combines character development with intriguing political themes and well-crafted puzzles.

    • “This was an outstanding blend of an adventure game and a crime solver - loved the character development, the unique approach to the narrator, and the intertwining of the cases as miles marched toward the inevitable conclusion!”
    • “It has character development too and decent backstory which grows throughout the game.”
    • “There's a lot of character development, discussion (and awareness) of political issues, nice puzzles that don't leave you stuck for a long time and interesting cases.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
    • “While there are attempts at character development, it often feels forced and unconvincing.”
    • “The backstories of the characters are underdeveloped, leaving their motivations unclear and unengaging.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game receives mixed feedback, with some praising the overall performance and dialogue quality, while others criticize aspects like world-building and controls, indicating that the experience can be inconsistent.

    • “A+ performances all around.”
    • “Actually, speaking of dialogue, I have to say it's really fantastic all around, both the writing and performances.”
    • “[shoddy world-building, tricky controls, occasionally flat performances, unforgiving]”
    • “The optimization is lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
    • “Performance issues make it hard to enjoy the game fully.”
Skip Critic Reviews

78%Critics’ scoreBased on 11 critic reviews
Skip Game Offers

Buy Lamplight City

10h Median play time
25h Average play time
10-15h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs
Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Lamplight City

Games Like Lamplight City

Lacuna Image
89%992reviews

Lacuna

2021Action Adventure
Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPC+6
Unavowed Image
93%3.2kreviews

Unavowed

2018Role Playing
Nintendo SwitchLinuxPC+7
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments ImageSherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments ImageSherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments Image
83%1.8kreviews

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments

2014Open World Action Adventure
Playstation 3Nintendo SwitchXbox 360+7
Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments Image
90%2kreviews

Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments

2014Action
PCSteam DeckWindows
Whispers of a Machine Image
87%864reviews

Whispers of a Machine

2019Puzzle
PCTabletAndroid+6
More games like Lamplight City
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Lamplight City is a puzzle game with mystery and thriller themes.

Lamplight City is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac OS, Phone and others.

On average players spend around 25 hours playing Lamplight City.

Lamplight City was released on September 13, 2018.

Lamplight City was developed by Grundislav Games.

Lamplight City has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Lamplight City is a single player game.

Similar games include Lacuna, Unavowed, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes & Punishments, Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments, Whispers of a Machine and others.