The Town of Light
- February 26, 2016
- Lka.it
Video games, more often than not, are looked at as a medium of pure entertainment.
The Town of Light is a first-person psychological thriller set in the Volterra Psychiatric Asylum, shutted down in the late '900, by a law from 1978 together with all other Italian asylums. The game aims to explore what’s really happened inside those walls in the fictional eyes of Renèe’s, an imaginary 16 years old girl that suffers from mental illness. The adventure starts at present days, ne…
PC
Reviews
- Engaging and emotional story that tackles the serious subject of mental illness with care and respect.
- Authentically recreated historical setting of the asylum enhances the atmosphere and immersion.
- Unique narrative approach with beautifully drawn cutscenes and animated flashbacks that contribute to the overall experience.
- Technical issues, including poor visuals, excessive load times, and confusing storytelling, detract from the overall experience.
- Puzzles are often abstract and lack narrative sense, leading to frustration and a lack of engagement.
- The game can feel slow and linear, making exploration tedious and the story difficult to follow.
- story23 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story of the game is described as unique and emotionally impactful, tackling mature themes such as mental illness and historical trauma with care and authenticity. However, many players find the narrative difficult to follow due to abstract puzzles, confusing storytelling, and a lack of interactivity, which can detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the haunting atmosphere and engaging writing, others criticize the muddled execution and translation issues that hinder the story's potential.
“The town of light tackles some very controversial themes in such a direct way that it's impossible not to be emotionally invested in Renée's story.”
“Engaging story with a great portrayal of mental illness, fully realized, meticulously recreated historical setting, beautifully drawn cutscenes.”
“The town of light is a powerful experience and you’ll certainly be affected by its story.”
“It's a shame that it's so difficult to follow the story, and the few puzzles are so abstract.”
“The story meanders a little too far into obscurity and can become confusing, and some long load times scupper things further.”
“But the story is confusing and painfully disappointing, and the translation errors make matters worse.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game are a mixed bag, with some players praising the stunning visuals that enhance the atmosphere and the beautiful cutscenes, while others criticize poor quality in certain areas, including noticeable glitches and ugly visuals. The overall experience is marred by linear exploration and a lack of polish, leading to frustration for some players. Despite these issues, there are moments of impressive imagery that contribute to the game's disturbing themes.
“While The Town of Light has some beautiful graphics, the cutscenes and the diary artwork are done in a cartoon style.”
“Stunning graphics that lend to the atmosphere.”
“Graphics are very well done; imagery is appropriately disturbing.”
“Ugly visuals in some parts, irrelevant and annoying puzzles.”
“Poor visuals, especially outside. Muddled storytelling and player choice mechanics, linear and frustrating exploration.”
“Some quite noticeable graphical glitches. Other aspects of polish are a bit lacking.”
- gameplay7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it lacking in depth and variety, leading to a potentially boring experience. While the horror elements and unique setting are praised, issues such as linear exploration, repetitive mechanics, and technical glitches detract from the overall enjoyment. Additionally, the game's short length and uneven presentation may leave some players wanting more.
“A haunting exploration of a time and setting I have never really seen explored before, with some great horror gameplay design.”
“The lack of gameplay elements might be boring for some, and the uneven presentation detracts from the experience.”
“Repetitive gameplay makes it hard to enjoy an otherwise engaging story, and a confusing final act subverts the game's better qualities.”
“Actual gameplay may be lacking, but don't let this put you off if you like psychological horror games and have the stomach to witness the horrors inmates had to go through.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features an engaging and emotionally charged narrative that delves into mature and controversial themes, particularly through the character of Renée. Players find themselves deeply invested in her story as it unfolds, revealing the complexities of her mental state and past experiences.
“The game features an engaging, emotional story that tackles important and mature subjects.”
“There are some really weird things going on in Renée’s mind, and when the game starts explaining why she’s like that and what happened, it emotionally got to me.”
“The Town of Light tackles some very controversial themes in such a direct way that it's impossible not to be emotionally invested in Renée's story.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as deeply eerie and immersive, enhanced by the realistic setting of Volterra and the poignant narrative of Renée's life. Players appreciate the combination of stunning graphics and diverse storytelling methods, which together create an engrossing and historically rich experience.
“It's seriously eerie, seriously atmospheric, and seriously good.”
“The heavy atmosphere is achieved through the very real setting of Volterra, and Renée's unfortunate tale of life inside its walls that represents the woes of many real people.”
“Engrossing, historically realistic story; different storytelling methods offer variety; stunning graphics that lend to the atmosphere.”
“The heavy atmosphere is achieved through the very real setting of Volterra, and Renée’s unfortunate tale of life inside its walls that represents the woes of many real people.”
“The game fails to create an immersive atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected from the world.”
“Despite the potential for a rich atmosphere, the lack of detail and depth makes the environment feel lifeless and uninspired.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for poor performance, including extensive load times, particularly on Xbox One, which detracts from the overall experience. Additionally, repetitive gameplay and a confusing final act further hinder enjoyment, despite the engaging story.
“It's one based on a grim, bleak history of the treatment of mental health issues, and that makes for an unpleasant, yet fascinating experience if you can stomach both the subject matter and the low quality of the game's performance.”
“Repetitive gameplay makes it hard to enjoy an otherwise engaging story.”
“Poor performance and extensive load times on Xbox One.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in Volterra is memorable and impactful, though some users note that certain breaks can be jarring and may evoke upsetting feelings. Overall, it contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere and leaves a lasting impression.
“The music breaks are poorly timed and can be quite jarring, detracting from the overall experience.”
“Some of the musical choices feel out of place and fail to enhance the atmosphere of the game.”
“The soundtrack lacks variety, making it repetitive and less engaging as the game progresses.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by noticeable graphical glitches and a general lack of polish in certain areas, which detracts from the overall experience. While the gameplay length is reasonable, it does not compensate for these stability issues.
“There are some quite noticeable graphical glitches.”
“Other aspects of polish are a bit lacking.”
“The game is not necessarily short for the gameplay style, but it's still not the longest game out there.”
Critic Reviews
The Town of Light Review - PS4
While The Town of Light is rough around the edges, both in technical and narrative terms, it does at least provide a different kind of horror compared to the current market. It's one based on a grim, bleak history of the treatment of mental health issues, and that makes for an unpleasant, yet fascinating experience if you can stomach both the subject matter and the low quality of the game's performance.
55%The Town of Light Review
The Town of Life gets credit for being willing to tackle a tough subject matter head on, and in such an honest way. It never concedes to being entertaining, so the player won't feel uncomfortable. It's a shame, then, that it's so difficult to follow the story and the few puzzles are so abstract. The real killing blows are the atrocious technical hiccups, though, and all of this mars a truly one-of-a-kind experience into a twisted shell of what it could have been.
30%The Town of Light Review - The Game of Dark
The Town of Light's unique setting and a handful of standout scenes aren't enough to save the game from boring puzzles, nonsensical plot, and a general lack of direction.
30%
