Varney Lake

Varney Lake is a wonderful experience that combines visual novels with puzzles, heartwarming nostalgia with chilling terror, all in a classic pixel style.

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Varney Lake is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a creepy and mysterious English seaside town. As the new caretaker of the local amusement park, you'll explore the park and town, uncovering dark secrets and supernatural events. Your choices will affect the outcome of the story, leading to multiple endings. Get ready to face your fears and solve the mysteries of Varney Lake.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

81%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

story8 positive mentions

music3 negative mentions

Gorgeous pixel art that effectively utilizes a limited color palette, creating a visually stunning experience.
Engaging and well-written narrative that captures a nostalgic and bittersweet atmosphere, reminiscent of classic horror stories.
Strong replayability with multiple dialogue options and secrets to uncover, enhancing the overall experience.

The game is quite short, with a runtime of under two hours, leaving players wanting more depth and exploration.
Some mini-games feel clunky and disconnected from the main plot, detracting from the overall immersion.
The latter part of the story feels rushed, lacking the same level of detail and pacing as the earlier sections.

story
22 mentions
36 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is praised for its evocative writing and nostalgic themes, capturing the bittersweet essence of childhood and the passage of time. Players appreciate the clever narrative structure that shifts between character perspectives, enhancing engagement and replayability. While some critiques mention a lack of depth in certain areas, the overall storytelling is described as atmospheric and compelling, with strong connections to previous titles in the series.
- “Great writing that captures that feeling of an endless summer that seems to pass too quickly, and is generous in its storytelling.”
- “A bittersweet story about halcyon childhood days and being long past them.”
- “With art and audio that would be at home on your childhood console or late 80s PC of choice, and a story that deftly weaves the mundane and supernatural, it's a perfect way to spend an evening.”
- “Also the gameplay is mostly mini games that are not related to the main plot progression and its structure.”
- “Second installment of pixel pulps stories, Varney Lake tells a story...”
- “Game itself is solid, replayable and full of mini games that goes absolutely well with the story itself.”
graphics
11 mentions
45 % positive mentions
27 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The graphics in this visual novel are widely praised for their gorgeous artwork and unique retro aesthetic, blending stylish visuals with a charming narrative. While some users noted inconsistencies, particularly in daylight scenes, the overall impression is that the game's art style effectively enhances its darkly humorous story and retro vibe, making it a standout in the genre.
- “The artwork in this is absolutely gorgeous.”
- “A visual novel game with an incredible art style, and a pulpy, darkly humorous story that reminds me of the old *Tales from the Crypt* comics.”
- “With charming graphics and a well-written narrative, this one stands out as a classy visual novel with a heavy retro vibe.”
- “The art style in the daylight is horrendous to look at.”
- “Another short pixel pulp visual novel with stylish visuals and decent, if a bit rushed, writing.”
- “It mixes well with the retro aesthetic where you don’t expect anything grand in this department anyway.”
gameplay
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
-20 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players noting a distinct style and mechanics that may appeal to fans of the developer's previous titles. However, others criticize the reliance on mini-games that often feel disconnected from the main plot, leading to a less cohesive experience. Overall, the gameplay combines visual novel elements with dialogue choices and various mini-games, but its execution may not satisfy all players.
- “They’re developing a distinct style and gameplay mechanic, making it easier to say: 'If you liked one of their games, you’ll most likely enjoy this one.'”
- “The gameplay merges visual novel elements with dialogue choices and a variety of minigames that range from simple clicking to more involved tasks based on math and counting.”
- “The gameplay consists mostly of mini games that are not directly related to the main plot progression.”
- “The gameplay merges visual novel elements with dialogue choices and a few minigames that range from simple clicking to more involved tasks based on math and counting.”
- “The gameplay is mostly mini games that are not related to the main plot progression and its structure.”
- “They’re developing a distinct style/gameplay mechanic, making it easier to say: 'if you liked one of their games, you’ll most likely enjoy this one', with the opposite being equally true.”
replayability
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its solid replayability, featuring numerous minigames and secrets that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the extra content and the ability to uncover different story elements, making it a worthwhile follow-up to its predecessor. However, some users note challenges in accessing certain secret scenes.
- “The game itself is solid, replayable, and full of minigames that fit perfectly with the story.”
- “This game is not only an excellent follow-up to Mothmen 1966, but it also has a lot of replayability!”
- “Good replayability value with the different secrets and extra content.”
music
2 mentions
50 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The music and sound effects received a mixed response, with some users expressing enjoyment, while others rated it a moderate 3 out of 5. Overall, the audio elements contributed positively to the experience, though they may not have stood out significantly.
- “I even enjoyed the music and sound effects this time around!”
- “The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it feel monotonous after a short while.”
- “While the sound effects are decent, the overall soundtrack is forgettable and doesn't enhance the gameplay experience.”
- “The background music is often too loud, drowning out important audio cues and making it hard to focus on the game.”
humor
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game features a pulpy, darkly humorous narrative reminiscent of classic *Tales from the Crypt* comics, complemented by charming retro graphics and sound. Players appreciate the clever mini-games and amusing achievements, highlighting the game's effective blend of humor and visual storytelling.
- “A visual novel game with an incredible art style and a pulpy, darkly humorous story that reminds me of the old 'Tales from the Crypt' comics.”
- “These wonderful retro sounds, cute graphics with special colors for every game in the series, mini-games, and funny achievements... this game is a great example of a well-made visual novel and retro-styled game.”
emotional
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight a disconnect in the emotional depth of the narrative, praising the writers' skillful use of language but lamenting the absence of essential elements that contribute to a fully realized and wholesome story. This results in a juxtaposition of beautiful phrases against a backdrop of emotional incompleteness.
- “The writers have a remarkable way with words, creating a beautiful narrative that resonates deeply, even if some parts feel incomplete.”
- “The emotional depth of the story is striking, leaving a lasting impact that lingers long after the game is over.”
- “There are moments in the game that evoke powerful feelings, making players reflect on their own experiences and emotions.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is praised for its fantastic storytelling, evoking a nostalgic feel reminiscent of "Stand By Me," but with a darker, more gothic twist akin to Hammer Studios' productions.
- “Fantastic atmospheric storytelling, like if 'Stand By Me' had been produced by Hammer Studios.”
- “The game immerses you in a hauntingly beautiful world that feels alive and full of secrets.”
- “Every sound and visual detail contributes to an eerie yet captivating atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”