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No one lives under the lighthouse

No One Lives Under the Lighthouse is an atmospheric horror tale that takes its time in sharing its dread-inducing world and all the horrors contained within it.
No one lives under the lighthouse Game Cover
82%Game Brain Score
story, atmosphere
grinding, stability
86% User Score Based on 1,588 reviews
Critic Score 74%Based on 4 reviews

Platforms

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No one lives under the lighthouse Game Cover

About

No one lives under the lighthouse is a single player puzzle game with horror, mystery and thriller themes. It was developed by Marevo Collective and was released on April 21, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"No One Lives Under the Lighthouse" is a mysterious old PC game from the early 2000s. You discover it among your old CDs and are drawn to its enigmatic title and description about taking over duties at a lighthouse where the previous keeper has gone missing. The game's atmosphere and poor translation from another language add to its intriguing and possibly ominous appeal. Explore the island, uncover the lighthouse's secrets, and discover what happened to the missing keeper.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
No one lives under the lighthouse screenshot
No one lives under the lighthouse screenshot
No one lives under the lighthouse screenshot
No one lives under the lighthouse screenshot
No one lives under the lighthouse screenshot
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86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,588 reviews
story122 positive mentions
grinding57 negative mentions
  • Great atmosphere and sound design that effectively builds tension.
  • Unique PS1-style graphics that enhance the eerie vibe of the game.
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that encourages replayability.
  • Gameplay can feel tedious and repetitive, especially with backtracking.
  • Some chase sequences are frustrating and disrupt the overall pacing.
  • The story becomes convoluted in the second half, making it hard to follow.
  • story
    444 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story is a complex and often confusing blend of horror and mystery, heavily influenced by Lovecraftian themes, with players piecing together fragmented narratives through exploration and gameplay. While the initial setup is engaging, many reviewers noted that the latter half becomes increasingly convoluted and abstract, leading to mixed feelings about its coherence and depth. Overall, the atmosphere and unique storytelling approach are praised, but the lack of clarity and direction in the plot can detract from the experience for some players.

    • “The story is intriguing, leaving the audience to wonder over the many mysterious events of the plot to unravel what actually happened even long after one stops playing.”
    • “The game has a really eerie feeling to it and the story is quite well done.”
    • “A great game that's dripping in atmosphere and has a really intriguing story.”
    • “This is an eerie, disconcerting horror/puzzle game which is unfortunately hamstrung by increasingly obtuse storytelling (especially in the "director's cut" of the game; truthfully I found the original tighter and more coherent) and some janky gameplay/controls, not to mention some moon logic when it comes to what you have to do to trigger the next set of events and move the game/narrative forward.”
    • “The story's biggest issue is not its subtlety, but rather its depth, being conveyed through minimalistic dialogue without sufficient environmental storytelling to support it.”
    • “The game started great with fantastic atmosphere, but then that atmosphere and grounded storytelling goes right out the window about halfway through.”
  • atmosphere
    427 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of "No One Lives Under the Lighthouse" is widely praised for its immersive and unsettling qualities, effectively utilizing retro PS1-style graphics and minimalistic sound design to create a sense of dread and isolation. Many players appreciate the game's ability to build tension through its eerie environment and slow-burn storytelling, although some criticize the latter half for introducing frustrating gameplay elements that detract from the initially strong atmosphere. Overall, the game is recommended for fans of atmospheric horror, with its haunting ambiance and Lovecraftian influences standing out as key highlights.

    • “The atmosphere is thick and dark, there is a constant feeling of dread, I could barely continue the game in some moments, especially when I imagined how I would feel in such a situation, being stuck on that island with just a little lantern while something unspeakable would start to stalk me.”
    • “The droning ambient soundtrack, thick fog, heavy rain, and total isolation on an abandoned island all combine amazingly to create an intensely rich atmosphere, reminiscent of old PS1 titles such as Silent Hill and Nightmare Creatures.”
    • “The atmosphere is intoxicating, the soundtrack is used sparingly and the tone slips between comfortable routine and absolute dread with a finesse displayed only by masters of the craft.”
    • “I got so lost so fast and I know I didn't spend too much time in it. I feel I played enough to know it isn't good enough as a horror game, especially as the levels feel short, not much to see, and when things get 'scary', it feels like a slight atmosphere shift with black goo.”
    • “The atmosphere is thick and dark; there is a constant feeling of dread. I could barely continue the game in some moments, especially when I imagined how I would feel in such a situation, being stuck on that island with just a little lantern while something unspeakable would start to stalk me.”
    • “The atmosphere that builds through each day works well to create tension.”
  • graphics
    366 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "No One Lives Under the Lighthouse" are characterized by a nostalgic PS1 aesthetic that effectively enhances the game's eerie atmosphere and psychological horror elements. While some players appreciate the retro visuals for their ability to evoke feelings of isolation and dread, others find them visually straining or simplistic. Overall, the graphics are seen as a fitting choice that complements the game's themes, despite some criticisms regarding clarity and detail.

    • “The ps1-style graphics fit perfectly with the gloomy tone, and the sound design is excellent: waves, creaking wood, and strange noises that make you feel uneasy the whole time.”
    • “The retro graphics add a lot to the atmosphere and while the story is convoluted, still delivers a really good and unique experience.”
    • “The graphics are primitive, but absolutely fit the game to a tee, so no complaints there.”
    • “The graphics add to the eerie (and sometimes scary) feel but can strain your eyes after a while, so I would recommend breaks.”
    • “Unfortunately, the stylized graphics combined with sprinting induce severe motion sickness.”
  • gameplay
    215 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "No One Lives Under the Lighthouse" is primarily a walking simulator with simplistic mechanics focused on maintaining the lighthouse and exploring the eerie environment. While it effectively creates a tense atmosphere and offers some unique puzzle elements, many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, especially in the first half, with frustrating mechanics introduced later on. Overall, the game is praised for its atmosphere and narrative, but its gameplay often detracts from the experience due to its lack of depth and clarity.

    • “It gives a neat cinematic feel that I've never seen in a game before, and it complements the walking sim style gameplay.”
    • “The gameplay may not be the most engaging considering it tasks you with doing repetitive chores for the first part, but once you delve further into the madness, it starts to expand in interesting ways, filled to the brim with surprisingly tense moments and cool details I didn’t notice before.”
    • “The gameplay is minimal, but it works and keeps you engaged; it's not exactly a walking sim, though there aren't any real puzzles either.”
    • “The gameplay loop quickly becomes boring and the second half takes such a hard tonal shift that it completely forgets what game it initially tried to be.”
    • “Great atmosphere and style, but the gameplay is exceedingly tedious and it's just not fun.”
    • “I hate to thumb's down this game because it was really unique but... the story is confusing, there's no direction, gameplay is tedious and mostly spent running back and forth trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do to end the level.”
  • music
    81 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music and sound design in the game are widely praised for their ability to create an immersive and unsettling atmosphere, effectively enhancing the horror experience without relying heavily on jump scares. Reviewers note the soundtrack's minimalist approach, which complements the game's eerie visuals and contributes to a sense of isolation and dread. Overall, the audio elements are considered a standout feature, with many describing the music as haunting and perfectly suited to the game's themes.

    • “The combination of graphic style with music adds a distinct charm and creates an immersive experience that feels truly one of a kind.”
    • “The droning ambient soundtrack, thick fog, heavy rain, and total isolation on an abandoned island all combine amazingly to create an intensely rich atmosphere, reminiscent of old PS1 titles such as Silent Hill and Nightmare Creatures.”
    • “The atmosphere is intoxicating, the soundtrack is used sparingly and the tone slips between comfortable routine and absolute dread with a finesse displayed only by masters of the craft.”
    • “The music was jarring and haunting at times, which really dampened the mood, making you feel unsettled and miserable.”
    • “There's literally a sequence where you have to pick up trash and repair your roof while the music tries to convince you that this is spooky gameplay.”
    • “Sound and music is foreboding to say the least; however, music-wise it does just feel like ambient spooky elevator music (apart from the record player).”
  • grinding
    58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and repetitive, particularly in the latter half where backtracking and unclear objectives detract from the experience. Many reviewers noted that the gameplay often feels like a chore, with frustrating mechanics and a lack of direction leading to a loss of engagement. While the initial atmosphere and story elements are appreciated, the overall execution is marred by the tedious nature of the tasks required to progress.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “What begins with a relatively strong start across days 1-2, starts to feel rather tedious as running back and forth across the island to pick up tools becomes increasingly repetitive.”
    • “Not only was it so goddamn tedious, there is no actual save feature, so you are forced to do a section in one go (that you won't know the length of until you actually finish it) or you just lose all your progress.”
    • “The gameplay itself is, from what I saw, tedious.”
  • replayability
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers significant replayability due to its multiple endings, hidden elements, and various choices that can lead to different outcomes. Players can expect to spend around 2-3 hours on a single playthrough, but many find value in revisiting the game to uncover missed subplots and achievements. While some reviewers noted that the replayability might detract from the initial experience, the overall consensus is that the game provides a rich environment for exploration and multiple playthroughs.

    • “You will need around two hours to beat the game, but it has multiple endings, which is great for replay value.”
    • “Lots of replay value to get the different endings and achievements and to piece together what's actually going on with the story.”
    • “There are multiple endings which gives you additional replay value.”
    • “While the ideas and premises are there (even alternative endings, offering replayability), the execution and technology lags behind.”
    • “There's a bunch of achievements and secrets to find, so there's definitely some replayability to be had out of this; however, I just lost interest over time when it became a bit too repetitive for its own good.”
    • “I would say the other two offer some form of replayability, although depending on your playstyle, you could stumble across one of the unsatisfying endings on your first playthrough, which is a shame.”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is described as unconventional and often arises from absurd situations, such as the comically non-threatening appearance of the monster and the silly nature of chase sequences that break immersion. Players find themselves laughing at moments that are intended to be scary, highlighting a blend of humor and horror that may not resonate with everyone but adds a unique charm to the experience. Overall, the game elicits more chuckles than genuine fear, making it a memorable, if not entirely traditional, horror experience.

    • “I have a funny feeling there may, in fact, be someone living underneath the lighthouse.”
    • “And the 'scary chase sections' in the first hour actually made me laugh from how silly and not scary it was for me.”
    • “It's not scary at all, it's a big moth-dude with 'scary' textures, and I couldn't stop laughing when I first saw it.”
  • stability
    7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is mixed, with players reporting occasional geometry issues and buggy achievements that detract from the experience. While some users experienced no significant glitches and praised the overall performance, others found the game to be a "buggy mess," particularly during key sequences like boss fights. Overall, the stability appears to vary widely among players.

    • “To add insult to injury, it's kind of buggy and some of the puzzles are very poorly signposted.”
    • “Also be warned that a lot of the achievements are buggy.”
    • “It's a buggy mess of a game, that's why.”
  • optimization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game is highlighted by Robert Pattinson's outstanding performance as the lightkeeper, which enhances the overall experience.

    • “Robert Pattinson's performance as Lightkeeper is outstanding.”
    • “The game struggles with performance issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “Optimization seems to be an afterthought, as the game often runs poorly even on high-end hardware.”
    • “I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that severely impacted the overall performance and enjoyment of the game.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users express frustration with the monetization strategy, citing deceptive advertising practices that misrepresent the game's offerings.

    • “The monetization system feels exploitative and misleading.”
    • “I feel like I'm being pressured to spend money just to enjoy the game.”
    • “The in-game purchases are way too expensive for what they offer.”
  • emotional
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by its wholesome and uplifting experience, making it highly recommendable for players seeking positive and feel-good moments.

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74%Critics’ scoreBased on 4 critic reviews
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2h Median play time
2h Average play time
2-2h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

No one lives under the lighthouse is a puzzle game with horror, mystery and thriller themes.

No one lives under the lighthouse is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

On average players spend around 2 hours playing No one lives under the lighthouse.

No one lives under the lighthouse was released on April 21, 2020.

No one lives under the lighthouse was developed by Marevo Collective.

No one lives under the lighthouse has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

No one lives under the lighthouse is a single player game.

Similar games include Layers of Fear, The Convenience Store, Layers of Fear 2, Moons of Madness, Stories Untold and others.