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lure

93%Game Brain Score
graphics, atmosphere
gameplay, replayability
93% User Score Based on 518 reviews

Platforms

Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindowsPlayStationPlayStation
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About

"Lure" is a short, five-minute indie game where you fish at a forbidden Shinto shrine to earn money. The WASD keys control movement, while the space bar is used to talk and fish. Originally created for the SCREAM JAM 2021 game development competition, it was not submitted in time but was still released.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
lure screenshot
lure screenshot

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 518 reviews
graphics18 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game is a short, sweet, and engaging horror experience that effectively builds atmosphere and delivers a surprising twist ending.
  • It's free and can be completed in about 5 minutes, making it a perfect quick thrill for fans of horror games.
  • The retro PS1-style graphics and sound design contribute to a nostalgic and immersive experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
  • The game is extremely short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and content, featuring only one NPC and minimal gameplay.
  • The jump scare at the end is seen as predictable and cheap, leaving some players disappointed with the overall experience.
  • The audio design is sparse, and the game may not appeal to those looking for a more substantial horror narrative or gameplay.
  • graphics
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are predominantly praised for their retro PS1-style aesthetic, which evokes nostalgia and effectively contributes to the game's atmosphere. Many players appreciate the creative use of simple, pixelated visuals to enhance the horror experience, although some find the graphics can be overly harsh on the eyes. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of retro graphics and horror, despite its short length and limited environments.

    • “The graphical design is great, and the retro PS1-style aesthetic is one that I will always simp for. Truth be told, I feel like this is one of the better examples of this that I've ever seen.”
    • “Great atmosphere; the graphics really play into this and make you feel uneasy.”
    • “Such creative use of simple graphics to create such an intense experience.”
    • “The art style is unassuming and feels like a weird old PC game my dad would bring home from thrift stores and garage sales.”
    • “Graphics were terrible, died in 5 minutes.”
    • “The atmosphere is great but the PSX-like, very heavily pixelated graphics hurt my eyes a little.”
  • atmosphere
    52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its spine-chilling and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of unease and tension through impressive visuals, sound design, and clever use of silence. Despite its short playtime, many players found the atmosphere captivating, though some noted that it occasionally fell flat due to reliance on cheap jump scares or an anti-climactic ending. Overall, the game's ability to hook players in with its eerie setting and haunting narrative is a standout feature, making it a memorable experience.

    • “Lure lures you in with its spine-chilling atmosphere, clever puzzles, and haunting narrative.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and heavy, and with the immaculate 3D rendering, you may forget you are even playing a game.”
    • “This game is creepy, atmospheric, and really hooks you in.”
    • “A slight bit of atmosphere built up to nothing but a cheap jump scare and then the end.”
    • “It nails the creepy atmosphere with long silence and sparse sounds.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and heavy and with the immaculate 3D rendering, you may forget you are even playing a game.”
  • story
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story revolves around a homeless person hired by an old man to fish near a Shinto shrine, presented through a brief cinematic intro. While the narrative is simple and not particularly rich, it offers a hint of mystery and horror that some players find intriguing despite its brevity. Overall, the story is described as straightforward and vague, with a focus on the fishing experience rather than deep storytelling.

    • “Well written story.”
    • “This adventure begins with a cinematic intro giving the story to the player.”
    • “The game is a bit long for my tastes, but if you can get through the grind, there is an excellent story waiting for you.”
    • “The plot is simple: you're a homeless person who is hired by an old man to fish in the ponds surrounding a Shinto shrine in exchange for free cash.”
    • “The story is vague, simple and to the point (you go fishing by an abandoned shrine to earn some money).”
    • “- While there is hardly a story to discover, the little that is available to the player involves something that is marginally interesting while still maintaining a semblance of unsolved mystery that extends beyond the end.”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as cute and unexpectedly funny, often blending elements of horror with comedic twists. Players appreciate the short duration, finding it to be a lighthearted experience that elicits both laughter and surprise, particularly with its jumpscares and amusing endings. Overall, it offers a unique mix of scares and humor, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a good laugh alongside their thrills.

    • “Short (5 minutes) and funny horror experience!”
    • “It's a short game with a rather surprising (and equally funny) twist at the end.”
    • “If you like screaming and laughing, this is for you.”
  • gameplay
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is primarily focused on simple mechanics involving walking, interacting with NPCs, and fishing, which some players find engaging due to its visual style. However, others criticize it for being overly simplistic and repetitive, mainly consisting of back-and-forth tasks with minimal complexity. Overall, while the aesthetic appeal is noted, the gameplay itself lacks depth.

    • “The visual style and gameplay fascinate me, and I enjoyed every brief minute.”
    • “Gameplay is pretty simple - approach the NPC giving you the task of fishing (and a fishing rod), then go to the lake and begin your hunt for some fish.”
    • “The gameplay literally consists of walking, being given a fishing rod and going back and forth a bit to this old man and talking to him; so basically it's just walking and pressing the interact button.”
    • “Gameplay is pretty simple - approach the NPC giving you the task of fishing (and a fishing rod) then go to the lake and begin your hunt for some fish.”
    • “The gameplay literally consists of walking, being given a fishing rod and going back and forth a bit to this old man and talking to him; so basically it's just walking and pressing the interact button.”
  • music
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game is praised for its atmospheric quality, enhancing the creepy vibe while being used sparingly, which adds to the overall experience. Users appreciate the minimal ambient tones, particularly towards the end, as they complement the game's setting and narrative effectively. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's immersive atmosphere.

    • “Great atmospheric music and vibes with a great twist at the end.”
    • “A delightful, but short, game with a creepy atmosphere and very easy to use controls. I really enjoyed the setting, and the fact that music was used sparingly was a nice touch! Loved the strange looking sky and the run down feel of the shrine. Played through it twice to drink in more of the details. A tale that will make the faint of heart think twice before going fishing at an abandoned location.”
    • “Great atmospheric music and vibes with a great twist at the end.”
    • “Audio effects are present but sparse, and there are only some minimally ambient musical tones toward the end.”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players consistently describe the emotional aspect of the game as a powerful rollercoaster experience, evoking both laughter and tears. This duality highlights the game's ability to connect deeply with its audience, making for a memorable and impactful journey.

    • “I laughed, I cried.”
    • “Emotional rollercoaster.”
  • replayability
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers little to no replay value, though it is available for free, which may appeal to some players.

    • “There isn't really any replay value, but it is free.”

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