Lamplight City

84%
Game Brain Score Based on 486 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • music
Lamplight City Game Cover
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.
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"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.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Windows
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

84%
Audience ScoreBased on 486 reviews
story130 positive mentions
grinding9 negative mentions
  • Engaging story with interesting cases and well-developed characters.
  • Unique gameplay mechanics that allow for failure and multiple outcomes based on player choices.
  • Beautiful art style and excellent voice acting that enhance the immersive experience.
  • Can lock players out of solving cases due to incorrect dialogue choices, leading to frustration.
  • Lacks traditional inventory puzzles, which may disappoint some players looking for more challenge.
  • Some characters and plot elements feel underused or one-dimensional.
  • story280 mentions

    The game's story is a captivating blend of intriguing detective cases set in a richly crafted Victorian steampunk world, featuring well-developed characters and a compelling overarching narrative. Players appreciate the replayability due to branching storylines influenced by their choices, although some critiques mention that certain plot elements can feel forced or linear. Overall, the storytelling, voice acting, and atmosphere contribute to an engaging experience that resonates with fans of classic point-and-click adventures.

    • “I loved the small echoes of earlier cases showing up in subsequent chapters, contributing to a sense of the story taking place in a real world.”
    • “From its captivating storyline to its meticulously crafted steampunk atmosphere, this game delivers an immersive experience that kept me hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The story is engaging and each case is fun to solve, though not unduly challenging.”
    • “Events in the story are unrealistic and forced.”
    • “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 found the overall story not that engaging, but each case's individual story I quite enjoyed.”
  • graphics77 mentions

    The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic retro pixel art style reminiscent of classic point-and-click adventures from the 1990s, such as "Monkey Island" and "Gabriel Knight." Many players appreciate the beautiful artwork, detailed environments, and atmospheric visuals that enhance the storytelling and gameplay experience, although some note that the graphics can vary in quality. Overall, the game's aesthetic successfully evokes a charming old-school feel while maintaining a modern touch, appealing to fans of the genre.

    • “The graphics are beautiful.”
    • “The game's artwork is superb with an atmospheric soundtrack as well.”
    • “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 graphics are of standard quality for modern 2D art, and I love the backgrounds and the overall feeling of the setting.”
  • music57 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its atmospheric quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with many reviewers highlighting the work of composer Mark Benis. Players appreciate the fitting soundtracks that complement the game's art and storytelling, contributing to an immersive atmosphere. While some noted a lack of variety in the music, the general consensus is that it effectively sets the mood and elevates the gameplay.

    • “The music adds a really nice atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack is excellent through and through, especially the end credits.”
    • “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 and sound complement the art, and the voice acting is great.”
    • “The two main highlights really are the very consequential repercussions of your decisions in the game (love it or hate it) and the voice acting/music to create the mood of the game.”
  • gameplay56 mentions

    The gameplay in "Lamplight City" is a blend of engaging detective mechanics and narrative-driven choices, allowing players to experience both success and failure in their investigations. While the point-and-click format is streamlined and focuses heavily on dialogue and clue gathering, some players find the lack of traditional inventory puzzles and the potential for unsolvable cases frustrating. Overall, the game offers a rich story and immersive atmosphere, though opinions vary on the balance between challenge and enjoyment.

    • “The detective gameplay is both challenging and rewarding, with clever puzzles and a rich narrative that unfolds based on my choices.”
    • “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 is easy to pick up and understand, and the game doesn't allow you to get stuck for what to do next, so the narrative flows beautifully.”
    • “I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, but I also wouldn't say it's terrible. I just found the mechanic of unsolvable mysteries to be annoying.”
    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is very basic, though.”
  • atmosphere39 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and captivating qualities, drawing players into a richly crafted steampunk world filled with dark, gothic elements. Reviewers highlight the excellent art, music, and voice acting that enhance the overall experience, creating a compelling backdrop for the engaging storyline and puzzles. While some mention minor graphical shortcomings, the strong emphasis on world-building and atmosphere remains a standout feature that resonates with fans of point-and-click adventure games.

    • “From its captivating storyline to its meticulously crafted steampunk atmosphere, this game delivers an immersive experience that kept me hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The fictional city of New Bretagne, and its various districts, are beautifully realized and the atmosphere throughout is tremendous - it really feels like one big believable city as you travel between the different neighborhoods.”
    • “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!”
    • “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.”
    • “As a lifetime fan of point and click adventure games, I was waiting for Lamplight City with great expectations, mostly because the published videos and screenshots promised a cool classic gameplay along with a dark and mysterious atmosphere.”
    • “While the steampunk atmosphere is present, it's light and provides some interest and amusement.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its clever and witty dialogue, with players enjoying the blend of dark detective humor and lighthearted quips throughout interactions. Characters, particularly the partner Bill, evoke a mix of annoyance and amusement, contributing to memorable comedic moments. Overall, the writing and voice acting enhance the game's charm, making it a delightful experience despite some criticisms regarding character dynamics and humor execution.

    • “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.”
    • “A funny quip is present every time the player interacts with an object and during most of the conversations.”
    • “The writing is truly excellent, the pixel art is gorgeous, the music is fittingly creepy much of the time, great characters all around, competent voice acting, and some witty humor.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its well-crafted narrative that evokes a range of feelings, from heart-wrenching moments to satisfying conclusions. Players appreciate the engaging character interactions and the depth of the story, which culminates in a touching ending. However, some critiques mention a lack of character investment and a less compelling storyline, which can detract from the overall emotional experience.

    • “It's gorgeous and the story is emotional and satisfying.”
    • “Well-written, engaging story that gets a little heart-wrenching at times.”
    • “The ending was very touching.”
    • “However, this game has no characters I care about, a boring storyline, and it is an effort to keep playing it thus far.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Reviews on the aspect of "grinding" 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 a balance by automating certain inventory tasks, but it may still feel like a grind for those who prefer faster-paced gameplay. Overall, enjoyment of the grinding aspect seems to depend on personal preference for longer, narrative-driven experiences.

    • “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.”
    • “Some of the negative reviews mention that you can get locked out of solving a case depending on your actions, and having to replay the game to get the best ending becomes very tedious.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its impactful choices that influence endings, multiple solutions for each case, and a compelling story with memorable characters. Players can expect a challenging experience that encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different outcomes.

    • “The game has high replay value because the choices you make in the game influence the ending that you receive.”
    • “The story is impeccable, the characters are fine and memorable, and the game has so much replayability.”
    • “Because each case has multiple allowed solutions and there are decisions that affect the story, there’s plenty of replay value to be found.”
    • “Very challenging and replayable.”
  • character development4 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised, featuring a unique narrator and a compelling backstory that evolves throughout the adventure. Players appreciate the intertwining of personal and political themes, which enrich the narrative and enhance the overall storytelling experience. The combination of engaging character arcs and interesting puzzles contributes to a well-rounded gameplay experience.

    • “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.”
    • “Interesting story building and great character development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression throughout the game.”
    • “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
    • “Despite the potential for growth, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to evolve in a satisfying way.”
  • stability4 mentions

    Overall, users report a generally stable experience with the game, noting that it runs smoothly without significant bugs or glitches. However, some players on Linux have experienced occasional bugs, requiring them to restart the game to maintain input responsiveness.

    • “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 consistent performance throughout my playtime, which really enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The game is slightly buggy on Linux; I had to close and restart it occasionally as the input response deteriorated over time.”
    • “The game is buggy.”
  • optimization3 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of the game receives mixed feedback; while some users praise the performances and dialogue quality, 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

Buy Lamplight City

Play time

10hMedian play time
25hAverage play time
10-15hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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