Lucius Demake

About

Lucius Demake is a single player casual action adventure game. It was developed by Shiver Games and was released on August 8, 2016. It received very positive reviews from players.

In "Lucius Demake," players control a young boy with supernatural abilities, guided by the devil, on a mission to purge his home of sinners. This 8-bit demake of the original Lucius game features top-down 2D puzzle-solving and stealth gameplay, requiring players to strategically eliminate targets while avoiding detection. The game contains dark humor and mature themes, testing players' morality as they progress through this хorror-themed adventure.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 248 reviews

story19 positive mentions

replayability3 negative mentions

Lucius Demake successfully captures the charm of the original game while presenting it in a nostalgic 2D pixel art style, making it appealing to fans of retro games.
The gameplay is straightforward and focuses on puzzles and progression, providing a fun and engaging experience without overwhelming complexity.
The game features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the atmosphere, along with achievements that add an extra layer of enjoyment for completionists.

The game is relatively short, which may leave some players wanting more depth and exploration compared to the original Lucius.
Some players may find the simplicity of the puzzles and mechanics less satisfying, especially if they are looking for a more challenging experience.
There are minor bugs and inconsistencies that can detract from the overall experience, although they are generally not game-breaking.

story
83 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
73%
4%
The story of the "Lucius" demake retains the core narrative of the original game, where players control the son of the devil on a quest to collect souls through murder, but presents it in a more abstract and atmospheric manner due to its pixelated format. While the pacing is brisk and the gameplay simplified, the implied violence and dark themes enhance the overall impact, making it a memorable experience for those who appreciate atmospheric storytelling. Despite some critiques regarding its straightforwardness and lack of significant changes, the narrative remains engaging and well-executed, appealing to both newcomers and fans of the original.
- “The story retains the twisted charm of the original but gains an unexpected layer of abstraction through its demake format—what was once visually grotesque now becomes eerily suggestive, allowing the imagination to fill in the blanks left by the crude pixels.”
- “Lucius demake is not just a demake—it’s a reinvention of tone and mood, turning a story of corruption and innocence into a macabre retro masterpiece that lingers long after the screen fades to black.”
- “The storyline is the same, though it feels easier to play.”
- “The story seems to be abrupt.”
- “The story overall is decent and it has some really cool moments, but overall it's nothing incredibly special.”
- “The story in a nutshell: you are the son of Satan and need to kill everyone to make your daddy happy.”
graphics
76 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
78%
4%
The graphics of "Lucius Demake" are characterized by a nostalgic 2D pixel art style reminiscent of classic 8-bit and 16-bit games, which adds a unique charm and atmosphere to the gameplay. While some players appreciate the retro aesthetic and find it enhances the game's dark themes, others criticize the simplistic visuals as unappealing or difficult to engage with. Overall, the pixelated graphics serve as a defining feature, evoking a sense of nostalgia while delivering an engaging experience despite their limitations.
- “Lucius demake is a clever retro reinterpretation of the original Lucius, reimagined in a classic 2D pixel art style.”
- “The pixel visuals and old-school presentation add charm, especially if you enjoy retro-styled horror or demakes in general.”
- “The pixelated graphics are a highlight, capturing the essence of the retro gaming era with meticulous attention to detail.”
- “Why do the graphics look like this? I don't want to look at this while playing a game; it hurts my eyes.”
- “This is basically the first game remade in terrible graphics from 1990 consoles.”
- “The game features ugly retro pixel graphics, a 4:3 aspect ratio, and an ugly screen filter, so it's far beneath the minimum acceptable standard for PC.”
gameplay
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
82%
6%
The gameplay of "Lucius Demake" is characterized by its simple, straightforward mechanics that focus on puzzle-solving and exploration, making it accessible yet engaging. Players navigate a top-down environment, utilizing item collection and stealth elements to progress through challenges, all while enjoying a retro aesthetic that enhances the atmospheric storytelling. While some may find the gameplay limited due to its short runtime and minimalistic design, it effectively streamlines the original's mechanics, offering a satisfying experience for fans of horror and mystery genres.
- “The gameplay is simple and straightforward, focusing on puzzles and progression rather than complexity.”
- “The mechanics revolve around item collection, environmental manipulation, and occasional stealth elements as the boy sneaks around unseen by adults.”
- “The gameplay focuses on planning and strategy, with a series of challenges that require critical thinking and creativity to overcome.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly simple, not too difficult to figure out how to complete each section.”
- “Half the price of the 'real game', half the features, and a quarter of the gameplay time.”
- “However, despite its similarities, the core gameplay and exploration point of view has been condensed - drastically affecting the difficulty.”
music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its haunting chiptune soundtrack, which effectively enhances the eerie atmosphere and complements the retro aesthetic. Many players appreciate the minimalist compositions that evoke nostalgia, while some find the looping tracks can become repetitive during gameplay. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's immersive experience.
- “The chiptune soundtrack reinforces this tone with eerie, minimalist compositions—haunting arpeggios and distorted echoes that feel like something from a forgotten cassette.”
- “The music creates a tense and immersive atmosphere, while the sound effects help to intensify the atmosphere of terror and mystery.”
- “The music actually gave me chills, which is an accomplishment for a retro soundtrack; it could just have been the only retro-sounding soundtrack to have given me chills.”
- “There's little point in reviewing the game based on elements such as graphics, music, and sound design, on account of the fact that each have stylistically been reduced in quality.”
- “Most of the music feels like droning noises and the sound effects are insanely loud.”
- “And the music drives me nuts.”
atmosphere
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
15%
23%
The atmosphere of "Lucius Demake" is characterized by its retro aesthetic, which enhances the game's eerie storytelling and immersive experience. Players appreciate the tense music and sound effects that amplify the sense of terror and mystery, while the minimalistic design and engaging puzzles contribute to a captivating environment. Despite its short runtime, the game effectively maintains a balance of horror and intrigue, making it a memorable choice for fans of the genre.
- “The retro aesthetic is not a mere novelty but a defining feature of Lucius Demake’s atmosphere.”
- “The music creates a tense and immersive atmosphere, while the sound effects help to intensify the atmosphere of terror and mystery.”
- “With its retro visual design, engaging gameplay, and captivating atmosphere, the game is an excellent choice for horror and mystery fans, as well as those who enjoy a stylistic reimagining of 80s classics.”
- “It loses a bit of the oppressive atmosphere but retains the gore, the goofiness, and the tricycle.”
- “Unexpectedly, giving the game a graphical downgrade was actually massively beneficial for the game design and atmosphere of Lucius.”
- “The authors conveyed the whole atmosphere of the game, the plot, and many small details.”
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a unique blend of absurdity and dark themes, with amusing animations and interactions that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the hilarious yet disturbing elements, particularly in the context of pixelated violence and quirky glitches, making it a charming and entertaining adventure for fans of retro games. Overall, the humor is both devious and well-crafted, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “A charming game that seamlessly blends horror with absurd humor.”
- “Amusing animations and humorous interactions make every moment with Lucius pure joy.”
- “The story line is dark, well written, and even sometimes humorous, and the game has pixelated cutscenes that celebrate completed chapters.”
replayability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game offers limited replayability due to its linear structure and single ending, which restricts players to a fixed experience. While some find it a worthwhile playthrough for its narrative, the lack of varied outcomes and challenging puzzles diminishes its overall replay value.
- “Overall, I find it better because of its limits as a pixel game; it makes the Lucius story more playable.”
- “There's not a huge amount of replay value, nor is it particularly groundbreaking, but it might be the best way to experience Lucius, and it's definitely worth recommending a playthrough.”
- “Replayability value: too bad there is no replayability value for me, because there is only one ending and almost all things are linear.”
- “Puzzles won't damage your brain and there is just one way you can follow - so not much replayability here.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its solid performance across various devices, providing a smooth experience without sacrificing visual quality. In contrast, the previous title, Lucius II, suffered from significant performance issues, including low frame rates and frequent crashes, highlighting the importance of effective optimization in gaming.
- “Optimization is solid, ensuring that the game runs well on a variety of devices without compromising visual quality or gameplay.”
- “A thick cloud of anticipation surrounded the release of Lucius II in 2015, but alas the follow-up flopped due to massive performance issues that included poor frame rates and a severe crashing problem.”
- “And if your computer is a toaster like mine, the lack of crashes and stuttering really allows for a more fluid playthrough.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
Overall, the game is praised for its improved stability, being more cohesive and less buggy compared to the main trilogy, with most players reporting a bug-free experience. However, some users have noted the possibility of minor glitches, though they did not personally encounter any issues.
- “This game is easier and bug-free.”
- “But the main trilogy is sadly filled with glitches.”
- “Allegedly, there are some bug issues, but I didn't encounter any bugs or glitches!”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be quite demanding, often requiring significant time investment, with some describing it as tedious and occasionally frustrating, particularly during combat. While puzzles may be easier, the overall experience can feel grindy at times.
- “It can be a bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “The puzzles are easier, but the fights can be tedious and annoying.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express that the game evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, making them feel youthful and joyful, reminiscent of their childhood experiences.
- “Made me feel like a kid again, hahaha!”
- “The story touched my heart in ways I never expected.”
- “I found myself tearing up during several key moments.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game is perceived as very affordable, with a price point of $0.99 that some initially viewed as a potential cash grab. However, players were pleasantly surprised by the game's quality, including its polished graphics and engaging story, suggesting that the low cost does not compromise its value.
- “The text is very cheap, and the game definitely shouldn't simply be an advertisement for the main game itself.”
- “I saw this game on sale for $0.99 and had to pick it up to see what the fuss was all about. I wasn't expecting much and initially thought it was just a quick cash grab; however, I was surprised to see that this game was very polished, from the outstanding pixel art graphics to the surprisingly engaging story.”