The Red Lantern
- October 22, 2020
- Timberline Studio
- 6h median play time
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Get on Steam
Get on Epic Games Store"The Red Lantern" is a narrative-driven, rogue-like survival game where you play as a musher and their dog sled team in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. Make difficult decisions, manage resources, and form bonds with your dogs as you navigate through unpredictable weather and terrain, all while trying to reach the safety of the nearest town. Each playthrough offers a unique story as you balance your survival and the emotional well-being of both yourself and your team.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Beautiful graphics and art style that create an immersive atmosphere.
- Adorable dogs with unique personalities and stories that enhance the gameplay experience.
- Relaxing gameplay that allows players to enjoy the journey and bond with their sled dog team.
- Repetitive gameplay and encounters that can lead to boredom after a few runs.
- Short overall playtime, with many players completing the main story in under 3 hours.
- Lack of meaningful choices and consequences, making the game feel more like a visual novel than a survival experience.
- story223 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story of "The Red Lantern" centers around a musher's journey of self-discovery in the Alaskan wilderness, accompanied by a team of sled dogs, each with their own unique narratives. While the game features beautiful graphics and engaging character arcs, many players find the overall storyline to be short and repetitive, often completing it in just a few hours. Despite its brevity, the game offers a charming and emotional experience, particularly for those who appreciate animal companionship and narrative-driven gameplay.
“The red lantern is a story-driven, rogue-lite, survival game where you and your team of 5 sled dogs, lost in the wilderness, must navigate the ever-changing encounters of the Alaskan bush to find your way home.”
“Each dog has their own storyline and somewhat of a character arc, and including different dogs in your sled dog team will trigger different events relevant to the dog's story.”
“The story is nice and it got me to actually want to try all the different options available.”
“This game is a waste of money and is not interactive, and the storyline is so short I can get it done in like 20-30 minutes. When the storyline is over, there is so little to do for such a short and restricted storyline.”
“If the storyline was longer, I wouldn't be this upset, but this is probably the shortest storyline I have ever seen.”
“The main problem with this game is that while it's story-driven, the story itself is very short.”
- gameplay149 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "The Red Lantern" is characterized by its simplicity and light resource management, focusing on a choose-your-own-adventure style with minimal mechanics. While the charming visuals and unique atmosphere are praised, many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking depth, with some mechanics feeling frustrating or poorly executed. Overall, it offers a relaxing experience but may not satisfy those seeking more engaging or complex gameplay.
“The gameplay consists of mushing to the cabin in rural Alaska (The Red Lantern) and along the way handling different encounters (both of the animal and environmental kind) while also managing food and fires (though it’s really not a survival game, the resource management is rather light).”
“It's very chill and relaxing to play, plus the gameplay is rather unique!”
“The art style, sound design, and also the gameplay were very fascinating yet refreshing; it's beautiful indeed.”
“The gameplay loop is extremely basic, consisting mostly of making yes/no decisions, with only a hunting mini-game played occasionally.”
“Gameplay can get a little stale, and the journey to the cabin becomes repetitive after several runs, especially when trying to unlock all the dogs' accessories.”
“While the game has charm, the actual gameplay is severely lacking, making it feel more like watching a movie than engaging in a game.”
- graphics115 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and charming art style, which effectively captures the serene atmosphere of the Alaskan wilderness. Many players appreciate the cute and cozy visuals, although some note that the graphics may feel simplistic or outdated by modern standards. Overall, the visuals contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a delightful experience for those who enjoy aesthetically pleasing environments.
“The game's adorable art style perfectly complements its wilderness theme, creating a serene and immersive experience.”
“The graphics and atmosphere of the game are absolutely breathtaking, and I love all the dogs.”
“The art, environment, and graphics are absolutely beautiful.”
“My biggest issue with the game's visuals is the limited view of it the player is allowed.”
“The graphics, to be blunt, look downright awful for 2021 standards.”
“Another game I have trouble to like and cannot recommend just because of the artwork and ambition.”
- atmosphere40 mentions
- 78 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beauty and calming qualities, with many players appreciating the charming art style and immersive environments that evoke a sense of nostalgia and relaxation. While the game offers a unique and wholesome experience, some reviewers noted that the emotional impact could be deeper, and the randomness of gameplay may detract from the overall enjoyment. Overall, it is recommended for those seeking a chill, atmospheric experience centered around the companionship of dogs and the serene backdrop of Alaska.
“The graphics and atmosphere of the game are absolutely breathtaking, and I love all the dogs. While the voice-over is constant, it adds so much content that players like myself can really relate to.”
“I absolutely love the more sentimental, creative, and poetic vibe of this game, personally, and I would recommend it to anyone who also tends to like that kind of atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere is divine.”
“Not sure if it's the intended experience, but it means you can experience the atmosphere all the more.”
“I like the game; it has a nice setting and atmosphere, but I'm not a fan of scripted encounters with the purpose of ending your run. There is always a wolf and a bear attack, and you can't evade them.”
“The graphics and atmosphere were very calming, but the scripted encounters detracted from the overall experience.”
- music38 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and beautiful qualities, effectively enhancing the gameplay and emotional moments. While many reviewers appreciate the lovely soundtrack and its ability to create a cozy atmosphere, some note a lack of variety and repetition in the music. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals and a well-crafted soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's appeal.
“A decent soundtrack that is both calming and gripping at times.”
“Music and sound design: the music in 'The Red Lantern' complements the gameplay perfectly, setting the mood and enhancing the emotional impact of key moments.”
“Beautiful game with beautiful music.”
“A beautifully illustrated and acceptably narrated game, with far too little content and almost no story or music for an inflated price tag.”
“I would criticize the lack of variety in the music, some weird choices (or could be mild visual bugs) in the art style consistency and a few corny lines of dialogue.”
“The game is very good in my opinion, but it is described and advertised as something very different than what it actually is and if I had not been charmed by the music and some of the events on my second run, I would have given up and asked for a refund because that first run was so wildly different from what the game made it seem it would be, and I was honestly disappointed.”
- emotional30 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "The Red Lantern" is characterized by its heartwarming and wholesome narrative, which resonates particularly with dog lovers and those seeking a calming experience. While some players found the story touching and immersive, others felt it lacked depth and became repetitive, hindering its emotional impact. Overall, the game successfully evokes feelings of comfort and connection, especially through the interactions with the dogs, but some players wished for a more complex and varied emotional journey.
“I recently lost a wonderful pet, Mia, and the interactions with the dogs were more emotional than I expected.”
“It's a beautiful, immersive, and genuinely emotionally engaging game that will speak to your heart if you're feeling lost or looking for meaning in your life.”
“Each dog feels unique and lovable, adding an emotional layer to the gameplay as players form bonds with their furry companions.”
- replayability23 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it offers multiple run approaches and the chance to unlock new content, many players feel that the gameplay loop is relatively short and repetitive. Some aspects, like RNG and the order of encounters, can diminish the replay experience, leading to a consensus that while enjoyable, the game lacks the depth and longevity found in other roguelites. Overall, it provides a decent replay value, particularly for fans of its charming narrative and dog-themed elements.
“I love all the different encounters and the replayability.”
“The red lantern offers replay value with its multiple run approach, allowing players to unlock new content and equipment with each playthrough.”
“Very nice interactive narrative game with fun replay value.”
“There is some replayability with regard to unlocking all of the dogs' stories, finding the best items, and completing the journal by making different choices, but it's still a fairly short game even with all of that.”
“- the 'replayability' aspect is really just playing the same thing over and over, just in a potentially different order, and order doesn't seem to matter much.”
“The red lantern’s charming premise, colorful visuals, and simple gameplay make for an entertaining ride through the cold, but it lacks the depth and replayability of other rogue-lites.”
- grinding16 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 69 % negative mentions
Players consistently express frustration with the excessive grinding required in the game, noting that it leads to repetitive and tedious gameplay. Many feel that the need to replay the same content to achieve progress detracts from the overall experience, making it feel monotonous and diminishing the game's atmosphere. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, with some players suggesting it may require an unrealistic time investment to fully complete.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Repetitive gameplay: the necessity to replay the same scenes repeatedly in hopes of progressing further can become tedious and monotonous.”
“After just 4 hours, it seems as though you've already seen the majority of what the game has to offer, barring teeny tiny (and grindy) pet stories that require you to go through the same content over and over again just to get 3-4 or so events related to a given pet.”
- stability9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- -22 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
The game's stability is a mixed bag, with some players reporting significant bugs, particularly related to the journal completion and event triggers, leading to frustration and low achievement rates. While others note minor visual glitches and occasional loading issues, the overall experience can vary, with some finding it manageable for casual play. Players are advised to consider purchasing the game on sale due to these stability concerns.
“It's not buggy, but do be careful.”
“The game runs smoothly without any major issues.”
“I haven't encountered any crashes or glitches during my playtime.”
“If you want to complete this game, you might be out of luck as completing the journal is bugged. It glitches, and when you do encounter an event that would fill in the blanks, it doesn't most times. They may or may not fix this, and those who have completed it don't receive the achievement for some reason. There's a 1.0% completion for that for a reason.”
“According to some datamining, there are still eleven journal entries which have yet to be discovered in the three years since release. If that wasn’t bad enough, some of them are exclusive to dog stories which can’t be replayed after completion or are so buggy that they don’t appear in the journal at all.”
“Unfinished and buggy mess.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
Overall, "The Red Lantern" is well-optimized, delivering smooth performance even on older hardware, with users reporting minimal issues during gameplay. While it may not consistently hit high frame rates, adjustments can be made for a stable experience, and the game effectively balances visual appeal with performance. However, some random encounters are noted as less optimized, which could impact gameplay for certain users.
“Performance-wise, the red lantern delivers admirably, with no notable issues or hiccups encountered during gameplay.”
“It's still a beautiful game that runs well on my older machine with a 19 9900k, 2070 RTX Super, and 16 GB DDR4 RAM - though it does not run at a steady 144 fps (setting it to a max 61 fps via the NVIDIA control panel does make it run smoothly at 60 fps).”
“It's also either pretty optimized or has some tricks, as my ten-year-old computer that can barely run Minecraft on its lowest setting can run this at its highest with little going below 10 fps.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its lighthearted and quirky jokes, particularly involving the absurdity of the characters and their situations, such as an unprepared main character and a dog named Chomper leading a sled. Players appreciate the blend of comedy with a charming art style and music, making for a fun and enjoyable experience. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the game's narrative and character interactions.
“I could tell you that this game is easy, that the main character is hilariously unprepared, and that no musher would put a dog like Chomper as a lead sled dog, that no sane person would travel the Alaskan wilderness with only 3 bullets.”
“It's chill, a little funny, and showcases a wonderful art style and gorgeous music.”
“As a cat person, I really wish it was cats driving the sled; it would look so funny!”
- character development4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is highlighted through the individual stories of the dogs, which players find engaging and well-crafted. However, some users feel that the overall narrative is simplistic and express a desire for deeper character exploration and more complex storytelling.
“I love the main character development and how each dog has their own stories to be unlocked.”
“I wanted more narrative and more character development.”
“I wanted more narrative, more character development.”
“There are also some encounters where your dogs go through character development, but I found the story to be quite simple.”
“I've unlocked all the dogs' stories, and it takes you through a lot of character development.”
Critic Reviews
The Red Lantern Review
The Red Lantern is a suvival-roguelite where you will have to face the harsh landscapes of Alaska with your dog sled team. You can pet the dogs, but most of the action feels very much down to the luck of the dice rather than any active participation from you.
50%Review: The Red Lantern
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
70%The Red Lantern - Review
80%
