Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

“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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,152 reviews

story154 positive mentions

grinding33 negative mentions

The puzzles are well-designed and provide a satisfying challenge without being overly frustrating.
The game features a captivating and non-linear story that unfolds as players progress, encouraging exploration and note-taking.
The unique art style and atmospheric sound design create an immersive experience that enhances the overall gameplay.

The control scheme is cumbersome, relying on a single button for all interactions, which can make menu navigation tedious.
Some puzzles can feel overly obscure or require information that may not be immediately accessible, leading to potential frustration.
The lack of a back button in menus and puzzles can disrupt the flow of gameplay and make it difficult to manage inventory and notes.

story
399 mentions
39 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The story in "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is described as intriguing and layered, often requiring players to piece together fragmented narratives through exploration and puzzle-solving. While some find the non-linear and cryptic storytelling engaging, others feel it can be confusing or lacking in clarity, leading to mixed feelings about its impact. Overall, the integration of story and puzzles is praised, creating a unique atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience.
- “I thought the story was interesting and appreciated the non-linear approach to storytelling that went hand in hand with the game's themes.”
- “It's an inspired mystery, compelling you to discover both the story of a maze, and a maze of a story.”
- “The story, portrayed with striking visuals, explores the topic of dualism (black-white, woman-man) and how they interact with a third element, which carries in itself bliss but also the seed of destruction, the tragedy of life, such as insanity, trauma, aging, and death.”
- “The story is also thin, operating more on vibes than substance.”
- “The story is esoteric and impenetrable for most of the runtime even if you can see the twist coming the moment you open one specific door a quarter of the way through the game.”
- “The story was a little disappointing; I thought it was going someplace interesting for a while.”
graphics
153 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have been widely praised for their unique and striking art style, which combines elements of noir aesthetics with a fresh, stylized presentation. Reviewers highlight the immersive atmosphere created by the visuals, complemented by a haunting soundtrack, and note that the game's design effectively enhances the storytelling and puzzle-solving experience. Overall, the graphics are described as a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's emotional depth and engagement.
- “The visuals felt fresh, the way scenes were framed and presented felt unique and mastercrafted.”
- “The art style is beautiful and I love the different camera perspectives as you walk around the rooms; I can tell that a lot of thought and love went into this game.”
- “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 mid-00s-like visuals didn't tax either system much.”
- “Here, I must admit to my personal aversion for retro art styles and control schemes.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
139 mentions
68 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is widely praised for its stunning art style, haunting music, and immersive design, creating a captivating blend of mystery and eeriness. Players appreciate the game's ability to evoke a spooky yet not overtly horror-filled environment, reminiscent of classic escape rooms and survival horror games. Overall, the atmospheric presentation significantly enhances the puzzle-solving experience, drawing players into its enigmatic narrative and richly detailed world.
- “The art and atmosphere are absolutely stunning, creating a dreamy vibe that makes every twist feel like an adventure.”
- “The atmosphere is impeccable, from music to visuals to vibe.”
- “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 atmosphere is so artistically strong, the puzzles have a good variety of self-contained rooms, linear puzzles, long-term puzzles, etc. I feel like there's always something to do and it almost gets overwhelming, but they organize everything so well I just take a second to look at my options then go on my merry way.”
- “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 can feel on the duller side, as the eerie ambience of several rooms is more subtle and understated.”
music
88 mentions
57 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its ability to enhance the atmosphere and complement the storytelling, with many players praising the soundtrack as one of the best of the year. The integration of diegetic music through interactable record players adds depth, while standout vocal tracks have left a lasting impression on players. Overall, the music is described as haunting, immersive, and intricately tied to the game's themes, contributing significantly to the overall experience.
- “I was floored by a particular section with vocals that I completely did not expect, but I enjoyed the song so much I added it to my music playlist and had it on repeat for a while. The music relates much to the themes of the story, at times even providing the player key insights.”
- “The soundtrack is mesmerizing, adding an extra layer of mystery and tension that keeps the player's interest at its peak.”
- “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.”
- “Close to no sound nor music.”
- “The music was largely unremarkable; the side content was shallow, and going the extra mile to complete it didn't have a substantial payoff.”
- “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.”
gameplay
85 mentions
21 % positive mentions
73 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes" is primarily focused on exploration and puzzle-solving, featuring a mix of well-designed, challenging puzzles that evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic adventure games. While some players appreciate the innovative mechanics and engaging narrative, others criticize the controls and the lack of helpful features, which can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game offers a unique blend of storytelling and gameplay, appealing to fans of the puzzle genre despite some mechanical shortcomings.
- “Fantastic nugget of magical visual/aural creativity and puzzling gameplay.”
- “The gameplay and atmosphere are amazing, and the puzzles are very well thought out.”
- “Lorelei and the laser eyes delivers a unique experience blending puzzle-solving and narrative-driven gameplay.”
- “Unfortunately, the core gameplay is a series of extremely primitive and disappointing puzzles.”
- “There's no central gimmick or mechanic here; every puzzle is something you would find in a book.”
- “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.”
grinding
33 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, primarily due to the frustrating single-button control scheme and cumbersome menu navigation. While some appreciate the artistic intent behind these design choices, many feel that they detract significantly from the overall experience, making tasks like puzzle-solving and map traversal feel laborious. The lack of a "back" button and the overwhelming number of menus contribute to a sense of frustration that overshadows the game's otherwise engaging elements.
- “Until I hit around 85-90% and the game just became tedious.”
- “The atmosphere is stellar, but several factors made this game more tedious than fun for me: the extremely frustrating single button controls, too mazelike design, and the puzzles - where (in my opinion) the ones that felt actually interesting were heavily dragged down by many uninspired ones that boiled down to matching a randomly found cipher, or just a math question.”
- “I have given up on trying to play it anymore because of two reasons: how tedious the game already is at the very start of the game, and how filled with filler 'puzzles' it is, even at the very start of the game.”
emotional
19 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a range of feelings, from joy and satisfaction in solving puzzles to a deep connection with its compelling story. Players report experiencing moments of genius and frustration, often feeling both challenged and emotionally invested in the narrative, which is described as esoteric yet rewarding. Overall, the game is praised for its unique blend of mental stimulation and emotional depth, making it a memorable experience for players.
- “An enigmatic, gentle puzzle game that manages to weave in a surprisingly emotional, heady story - the kind of game I can recommend to anybody :)”
- “Amazingly satisfying puzzle game with a deep story showing just how emotionally impactful games can be.”
- “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, and 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.”
humor
7 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as unexpectedly delightful, with several laugh-out-loud moments that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever integration of funny elements within the creepy atmosphere and intricate puzzles, including amusing easter eggs that add to the enjoyment. Overall, the humor is a standout feature that complements the game's engaging narrative and gameplay.
- “It's a creepy, engrossing, and cathartic adventure with a handful of funny moments that caught me pleasantly by surprise.”
- “The mystery, atmosphere, puzzles, and funny moments are all top notch.”
- “The game is also extremely funny; I've had several laugh-out-loud moments.”
replayability
5 mentions
20 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its randomized puzzles and unique save file mechanics, ensuring that each playthrough feels distinct and challenging. While the reliance on memory may diminish the utility of notes in subsequent runs, the overall design encourages repeated gameplay, making it enjoyable for solo players and friends alike.
- “On one hand, this is excellent for replay value or playing through with friends, but on the other hand your notebook will be useless on repeat playthroughs outside of possibly helping you remember the structure of a puzzle.”
- “The price is good for this quality of a game, but puzzle games are often not considered replayable.”
- “I also love the addition of randomized puzzles for each playthrough; it adds some replayability and supports the theme of jumbled, fading memories.”
- “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, which was a brilliant move that makes using guides next to impossible and adds to the replay value.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed impressions regarding optimization, with some experiencing smooth performance while others encounter significant frame rate drops and stuttering. The game's optimization appears inconsistent across different hardware configurations, leading to varied experiences among players.
stability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been criticized for significant glitches that not only disrupt gameplay but also pose serious health risks, such as triggering migraines and epilepsy. This indicates a concerning oversight in design that affects user experience negatively.
- “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.”