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

En definitiva, L.C.B. Game Studio sigue refinando su fórmula de llevar la literatura pulp a las visual novel y Varney Lake no decepciona. No necesito más: una historia de género directa, narrada con un pulso envidiable y una limitación de recursos que, lejos de frenar las posibilidades expresivas de la obra, las eleva.

Mothmen 1966 was a pleasant surprise on PlayStation 4, and it was the perfect way to kick off the new Pixel Pulps series of old-school-infused visual novels on Sony’s consoles. Mothmen 1966 ran for a few hours, and that’s also the case for Varney Lake. It’s a bite-sized adventure that does not overstay its welcome. It perfectly dials up the pulp factor to 11, and it makes me look forward to Bahnsen Knights, the third entry in the series. 

Varney Lake was, at its heart, exactly what I expected it to be: a mystery story, a horror story, and a coming-of-age story all rolled into one neat package. There’s even some surprises in there. Playing Mothmen 1966 first was definitely useful for referencing characters, but it’s not absolutely necessary to play it first. The developer did a wonderful job at creating an immersive experience while confined to the visual standard it set for itself. I’m eagerly awaiting the final title in the series: Bahnsen Knights is about a cult. I’m also awaiting further news on the recently-announced Pixel Pulp physical edition for Nintendo Switch, which I will definitely be adding to my collection.

More Interactive Pulp Fiction From The Best In The Biz

Varney Lake is a great interactive story, presented in a way that’ll appeal to casual readers and tome-spelunkers alike. The story is interesting, the characters are great, and the modest $10 price tag reflects the game’s shorter run time.

There’s connective tissue between LCB Game Studios’ games, so your experience with Varney Lake will be enhanced by having played Mothmen 1966 prior to it. It’s a short story video game that doesn’t take up your time, and is a great palate cleanser from other games you’re currently playing. I’m really excited for what’s in store next, and am enjoying how these play out. Varney Lake feels like PC adventure games of old, and will take you back to those summer or rainy nights of gaming, for a truly visual and aural treat of the senses.

Varney Lake is an interesting coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. The characters were all fun and the interactions between the children were great. If you have a couple of hours to spare, check this pixel pulp story out and learn what happened in the summer of 1954.

With all the modern innovations we've made in gaming and storytelling, to imagine going back to PC gaming in the '80s — an era defined by games shoehorning themselves onto devices made for anything other than gaming — made me initially hesitant. But the efforts of the artists at LCB Game Studio made Varney Lake simultaneously thrive in spite of and because of its limitations. The Pixel Pulps series is one to keep an eye on. I can't wait to see this world filled out and certainly wouldn't say no to more installments. If you're looking for some new ways to get your chills and enjoy dabbling in nostalgic pulpy horror, don't skip Varney Lake.

Varney Lake ofrece una experiencia completamente distinta a lo que estamos acostumbrados ahora pero eso no quita para que sea una aventura disfrutable y que ocupará poco tiempo para completarla.

Varney Lake es la mejor aventura conversacional que he probado en mucho tiempo. La mezcla de la estética píxel-art clásico con el género pulp funciona a las mil maravillas gracias a una narrativa compleja dividida en dos líneas temporales, en la que destacan principalmente unos personajes muy bien diseñados que se comunican a través de interesantes y realistas diálogos. La cotidianeidad y monotonía del verano y lo sobrenatural se abrazan con el terror en una apasionante historia que, pese a tener un final predecible, hace buena esa manida frase de que lo importante es el camino, no la meta.