Lorelei and the Laser Eyes: A Detailed Review
Game: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Developer: Simogo
Publisher: Annapurna Interactive
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
Released: May 2024
Reviewed by: Keith Stuart
Overview: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, developed by the Swedish studio Simogo, known for titles such as Year Walk and Device 6, is an immersive puzzle adventure game that combines eerie, expressionistic visuals with a nonlinear storyline. The game is set in an abandoned hotel in Siracuse, Italy, and follows a woman invited by an eccentric artist to help complete a mysterious project.
Gameplay: Players navigate through the labyrinthine hotel, solving intricate puzzles that are essential to unraveling the story. Clues are hidden throughout the environment in movie posters, notes, phone calls, and artifacts connected to avant-garde artists and magicians. The game challenges players to solve puzzles using logic, memory, and knowledge of Roman numerals, zodiac signs, and strobogrammatic numbers.
Visuals: The game's visuals are almost monochrome and highly stylized, contributing to a noirish, suspenseful atmosphere. Dizzying camera angles and shadowy scenes enhance the game's surreal and mysterious tone. The expressionistic art style often evokes a sense of being in a crooked funhouse.
Story: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes presents a multilayered narrative that players must piece together. Themes of time and repeated symbols are prevalent, with the storyline unfolding in a non-linear fashion. Key moments involve consulting a fortune teller, analyzing CCTV footage, and experiencing ghostly presences, often breaking the fourth wall.
Experience: The game requires players to keep a detailed record of clues, encouraging the use of a notebook and pen. This approach harkens back to an era where players actively contributed to the narrative experience.
Conclusion: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a compelling puzzle game that marries its elusive story and eerie visuals seamlessly. It engages players in a deeper exploration of creativity, play, and the intersection of art and commerce.
Availability: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is available for PC and Nintendo Switch, priced at £19.99.