Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,466 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • atmosphere
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Game Cover
“The cryptic Lorelei and the Laser Eyes may very well be the greatest puzzle game ever made.”
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"Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is a non-linear mystery game set in an old hotel, where a woman must solve an eccentric man's illusions and handcrafted puzzles. The game is filled with surreal and dangerous scenarios, constantly presenting new riddles to decipher the enigma of Lorelei. Fans of Simogo's other games, such as "Sayonara Wild Hearts" and "Year Walk," will enjoy this immersive experience.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,466 reviews
story161 positive mentions
grinding36 negative mentions
  • The puzzles are challenging but fair, providing a satisfying sense of achievement when solved.
  • The game's unique art style and atmospheric design create an immersive experience that enhances the storytelling.
  • The narrative is intriguing and unfolds in a non-linear fashion, encouraging players to piece together clues and information.
  • The control scheme is frustrating, with a single button for all interactions and no dedicated back button, making menu navigation tedious.
  • Some puzzles can feel overly obscure or require information that isn't immediately available, leading to potential frustration.
  • The game can become overwhelming with the sheer number of puzzles and documents, making it easy to lose track of what needs to be solved.
  • story465 mentions

    The story in "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is described as intriguing yet complex, often requiring players to piece together fragmented narratives through puzzle-solving. While some find the storytelling engaging and rewarding, others note its abstract and non-linear nature can make it difficult to follow, leading to mixed feelings about its coherence and depth. Overall, the integration of story and puzzles is praised, with many players appreciating the unique atmosphere and thematic richness, despite some frustrations with clarity and execution.

    • “The story and the way it was presented were really interesting to me, and struck me as having an elegant combination of complexity and simplicity that complemented the puzzle gameplay quite nicely.”
    • “The game is well-paced, with natural breadcrumbs that effortlessly lead you through the incredible story as you slowly piece together what is truth, what is fiction, and what lies between.”
    • “Lorelei and the laser eyes is a rare accomplishment: not only is it an amazing puzzle game in its mechanics, but the entire story and setting are themselves puzzles that must be unwound to discover the mystery hidden deep within under many, many layers.”
    • “This was disappointing as we should really have been encouraged to glue the plot together as the game progressed, but the reality was that the story was parallel to the puzzles, not a part of them beyond theme, which meant that the story elements could largely be ignored.”
    • “The story itself, while integral to the puzzles, isn't terribly easy to follow.”
    • “The story is very obtuse, but you slowly piece it together for a satisfying conclusion to the game.”
  • graphics202 mentions

    The graphics of "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" are widely praised for their unique and highly stylized aesthetic, featuring a striking black-and-white palette with selective color accents that create an immersive atmosphere. Reviewers highlight the game's artistic vision, which draws inspiration from various media, and commend the seamless integration of visuals with the narrative and puzzle design, resulting in a captivating experience. Overall, the visuals are described as stunning, contributing significantly to the game's eerie and engaging vibe.

    • “The overall style and graphics are also a masterpiece.”
    • “From the stunning visuals and beautifully haunting soundtrack, to its thought-provoking storyline, every detail of this game feels intentional, creating an immersive atmosphere that completely draws you in.”
    • “The art style, storytelling, music, and atmosphere are all incredible.”
    • “I'm also not fond of the entire game being in a pseudo dark mode due to its noir aesthetics, yet having paper documents be blindingly white - if you care about accessibility, people with eye issues would probably appreciate not being flashbanged by every document.”
    • “The maze guys are really cool visually but it's really no more taxing than what a reasonably motivated 8-year-old could handle (although the aesthetic would likely turn them off).”
    • “The surprisingly wide array of settings and visuals echoes the variety of the puzzles and every one will catch you off guard when you first come into contact with it.”
  • atmosphere165 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its captivating and eerie qualities, blending stunning visuals, haunting music, and a thought-provoking narrative that immerses players in a surreal, almost dreamlike experience. Many reviewers liken it to classic horror games like Resident Evil, emphasizing its unique style and the way it enhances puzzle-solving through a thick, unsettling ambiance. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as a key element that elevates the entire experience, making it both intriguing and memorable.

    • “The visual design and atmosphere bring the entire experience home for me: the entire game is filled to the brim with eerie vibes.”
    • “From the stunning visuals and beautifully haunting soundtrack, to its thought-provoking storyline, every detail of this game feels intentional, creating an immersive atmosphere that completely draws you in.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is captivating, with each scene presented as a shifting monochrome tableau highlighted by splashes of red.”
    • “The atmosphere can feel on the duller side, as the eerie ambience of several rooms is more subtle and understated.”
    • “Outside the puzzles, the game creates a really eerie atmosphere, somehow both incredibly disjointed and cohesive at once with a genuinely intriguing story that comes together brilliantly by the end.”
    • “The atmosphere oozes personality and tension.”
  • music102 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its haunting and immersive qualities that enhance the overall atmosphere, while others found it minimal or unremarkable at times. Notably, the soundtrack is described as stellar and beautifully crafted, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and aesthetic appeal. However, some players expressed disappointment that the music often disappears during puzzle interactions, which detracts from the experience.

    • “One of the best narratives and one of the best puzzle games I have ever played with top-notch visuals and music.”
    • “The unsettling ambient music enhances the atmosphere, perfectly complementing the beautifully designed hotel—a maze of levels and rooms, mirrored worlds, and layers of locked secrets.”
    • “The soundtrack is mesmerizing, adding an extra layer of mystery and tension that keeps the player's interest at its peak.”
    • “The music was largely unremarkable, the side content was shallow and going the extra mile to complete it didn't have a substantial payoff, the art was a bit too simple and repetitive, and the story was simple and not really that interesting in hindsight.”
    • “However, the fact that music is localized to rooms made this less impactful than it could have been, which was a bit of a shame.”
    • “The smaller nitpick I have is how the music coming from the phonographs gets muted upon trying a puzzle.”
  • gameplay98 mentions

    The gameplay of "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is characterized by its innovative puzzle mechanics and a strong narrative integration, offering a unique blend of mystery and challenge. While the puzzles often resemble escape-room styles and require extensive note-taking, some players find the mechanics overly simplistic or frustrating due to navigation issues and repetitive elements. Overall, the game is praised for its captivating story and artistic presentation, making it a memorable experience despite some gameplay criticisms.

    • “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is an exceptional puzzle game with its intricate narrative and challenging gameplay.”
    • “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes delivers a unique experience blending puzzle-solving and narrative-driven gameplay.”
    • “Incredibly compelling in gameplay and narrative; the internal consistency and repeated themes/symbols create a satisfying mystery to unravel.”
    • “The gameplay area is a bit of a warren, tying into the theme of mazes, but unnecessarily.”
    • “This developer has thrown out every convenience known to the game's industry to be as artsy as possible without managing to actually land on being interesting enough either in premise nor execution of any other mechanic.”
    • “My main gameplay gripe with this game is that most of the puzzles are of the 'key a for door a' variety with key a being a longwinded document you have to parse to figure out which part is which.”
  • grinding36 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, primarily due to clunky controls and frustrating menu navigation. The single-button control scheme, while intended for accessibility, often leads to disorientation and a slow-paced experience, making puzzle-solving and exploration feel like a chore. Many reviewers expressed that the game's filler content and repetitive mechanics detract from the enjoyment, leading some to abandon the game altogether.

    • “I have given up on trying to play it anymore because of two reasons: how tedious the game already is at the very start, and how filled with filler 'puzzles' it is, even at the very start of the game.”
    • “It makes the experience feel like the developers decided to knowingly be needlessly tedious for no reason other than 'because we can'.”
    • “Striving for accessibility only to make the game more tedious to operate for everyone does not seem like the way to go.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a deep sense of introspection and connection through its storytelling and gameplay, reminiscent of classic gaming experiences. Players report feeling a mix of frustration and fulfillment, as the game challenges them intellectually while also delivering a poignant narrative that resonates on a personal level. Overall, it offers a unique emotional journey that leaves a lasting impact, making it a standout experience in the puzzle genre.

    • “Not every game can be for everyone, but I believe anyone who gives this game a try is in for a fulfilling and emotional experience. I am so jealous of them, that they might wander the halls of the hotel Letztes Jahr naive to the incredible journey they are about to take.”
    • “While all of it is well done, its main strength is its storytelling: like the team's prior work Sayonara Wild Hearts, Lorelei deeply integrates its emotional conceits into the presentation and the gameplay.”
    • “Not many experiences will take you on an emotional rollercoaster in the way that Lorelei and the Laser Eyes does.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is a standout feature, blending clever puzzles with laugh-out-loud moments and witty writing. Players appreciate the game's intricate mystery and the inclusion of classic Resident Evil easter eggs, which add to the comedic experience. Overall, the game successfully balances horror and humor, making for an entertaining experience.

    • “Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is half Resident Evil style fixed-camera puzzle horror, and half brilliantly funny and intricate mystery.”
    • “There is a classic Resident Evil easter egg in the game and it was hilarious encountering it.”
    • “The game is also extremely funny; I've had several laugh-out-loud moments.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its random and unique puzzle answers tied to each save file, ensuring that every playthrough offers a different experience. This design choice effectively discourages the use of guides, further enhancing the game's longevity and replay value.

    • “Best of all, the answers to puzzles are completely random and unique to a save file, meaning that every playthrough is going to be different, as well as locations and other aspects of other puzzles. This was a brilliant move that makes using guides next to impossible and adds to the replay value.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game's stability is criticized for frequent glitches that significantly detract from the experience, with particular concern over design choices that fail to allow players to disable elements that can trigger migraines and epilepsy.

    • “It's bad enough with the single glitches, but this is really bad design when there is no ability to remove what is a serious migraine and epilepsy trigger.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

85% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
13-16hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 12 analyzed playthroughs

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