Lurkers

About

Lurkers is a single player action game with mystery, thriller and historical themes. It was developed by Ertal Games and was released on November 2, 2020. It received very positive reviews from players.

Experience the investigation surrounding the Jack the Ripper crimes putting yourself on the shoes of one of the protagonists in this thrilling mystery Visual Novel!

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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94%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

story6 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

The game features a well-written story that effectively captures the atmosphere of Victorian London and incorporates historical references, making it immersive for players interested in that era.
The characters are distinct and have their own personalities, contributing to an engaging narrative, and the optional romance scenes are sweet and add depth to the relationships.
The game offers multiple endings and achievements for players, providing a sense of accomplishment and encouraging exploration of different story paths.

The game is quite short, with many players feeling that it lacks depth in both the mystery and romance aspects, leading to an abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion.
There are numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout the game, which detract from the overall experience and immersion.
The romance elements feel forced and disconnected from the main plot, leaving players wanting more substantial development in both the relationships and the mystery.

story
42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
79%
7%
The story of *Lurkers* is a fictionalized account of the Jack the Ripper investigation, blending real historical events with a narrative that includes multiple perspectives and light romance elements. While the writing is praised for its consistency and character development, some reviewers noted that the inclusion of romance felt out of place in a primarily investigative plot, leading to a somewhat confusing narrative focus. Overall, the game captures the atmosphere of its historical setting, though it may not deliver the mystery and excitement some players expect.
- “The story is sectioned into different outcomes based on the choices you make.”
- “The writing is good and the story is consistent, leaving an overall good impression on me.”
- “With the plot following our protagonist seeking justice for the murder of his mother by Jack the Ripper, it uses an interesting integration of light romance among the two love interests, Chris and William.”
- “While Lurkers started off with a very good introduction to the characters, there are two major flaws in the flow of the story because the creators did not manage to find the right length.”
- “But, honestly, I do not really see why there is a need to include romance in a game where 90% of the story is about catching a murderer. It makes the plot a little confusing to me because I feel like there is not a clear line about what the game wants to tell me.”
- “So there's not much of a mystery and excitement in a story that focuses on investigation, but the visual novel makes up for it by capturing the atmosphere and spirit of the times.”
graphics
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
45%
33%
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with some users finding them less appealing compared to other titles, yet acknowledging the effective portrayal of Victorian London through realistic drawings and era-appropriate artwork. While the visual style may not resonate with everyone, the attention to detail in the in-game scenes and the integration of graphic content through written descriptions are appreciated. Overall, the graphics serve the narrative well, despite some criticisms regarding the art style and presentation.
- “And- …ok, 'tis typically the part where I embellish a game’s visuals, but I find that challenging to accomplish because of the various realistic drawings and maps fashioned after (if not literally) actual ones which existed and are stored in an archive somewhere.”
- “Lurkers is surely an entertaining mystery thriller with yaoi elements, with an impressive use of era-fitting artwork and basing characters on actual historical figures.”
- “The graphics are not that pretty compared to other games (even from retail games), but it does not need it. I think this is a short visual novel where you can experience a good piece of Victorian age London, so I think this is a 6 out of 10.”
- “And... ok, 'tis typically the part where I embellish a game’s visuals, but I find that challenging to accomplish because of the various realistic drawings and maps fashioned after (if not literally) actual ones which existed and are stored in an archive somewhere.”
- “While the CG art style was not up to my taste, I still appreciate the coloring and the work put into portraying the in-game scenes.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
28%
43%
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by a thick, foggy setting that evokes the moral complexities of 19th century London, enhanced by an evocative soundtrack reminiscent of Clint Mansell's work. While the visual presentation may be simple, the atmospheric elements, including additional animations and music, effectively capture the spirit of the era and compensate for any narrative shortcomings. Overall, the game's atmosphere is its standout feature, immersing players in a chilling and evocative experience.
- “The backgrounds with moving dark misty fog were so atmospheric.”
- “The music is truly evocative and effective in bringing the atmosphere to life.”
- “The thick foggy atmosphere, ever present in every exterior shot, is not only a literal depiction of conditions in 19th century London, but also a foreshadowing of the unseen moral panic to come.”
- “So there's not much of a mystery and excitement in a story that focuses on investigation, but the visual novel makes up for it by capturing the atmosphere and spirit of the times.”
- “Whereas the whole presentation is rather plain and simple (there's no gallery for example), the music is truly evocative and effective in bringing the atmosphere to life.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The music in the game is generally regarded as evocative and effective, enhancing the atmosphere and complementing the narrative. While some reviews mention it as merely okay, others highlight its ability to capture the eerie essence of Whitechapel and elevate key moments in the story. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the game's strongest elements.
- “Whereas the whole presentation is rather plain and simple (there's no gallery for example), the music is truly evocative and effective in bringing the atmosphere to life.”
- “The game's greatest strengths are its atmospheric soundtrack, and Jack the Ripper, of course.”
- “Decent story, likable characters, okay music.”
- “The music does a fine job in showcasing the eeriness of Whitechapel, to the curiosity when clues are being discussed at the frying pan.”
- “A variety of white, classical, and thriller music really puts you in the shoes, not on the socks.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its touching romantic scenes, which stand out against a bleak setting, adding depth and warmth to the overall experience.
- “In fact, the brief romantic scenes in this title are quite touching, honestly.”
- “The setting is pretty bleak, and that makes the romantic bits all the more wholesome.”
gameplay
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay effectively aligns with the novel's intentions, enhancing the overall experience for players.
- “I think this kind of gameplay really suits the intention of this novel.”