Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is a 2024 puzzle game developed by Simogo and published by Annapurna Interactive. It was released on May 16, 2024, on Windows and Nintendo Switch.
| Lorelei and the Laser Eyes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Simogo |
| Publisher(s) | Annapurna Interactive |
| Director(s) | Simon Flesser |
| Engine | Unity[1] |
| Platform(s) | Nintendo Switch Windows |
| Release | May 16, 2024 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editIn the game, the player assumes control of a woman, who is invited to participate in a mysterious project set in an old mansion.[2] She must explore the mansion to find out what is happening, while the situation becomes progressively "dangerous and surreal".[3] The game features more than 150 puzzles, which can be completed in a non-linear sequence. The game is played from a third-person perspective, and the player can interact with various characters and objects.[4]
Development
editLorelei and the Laser Eyes is the ninth game developed by Simogo, which had previously created games such as Device 6 and Sayonara Wild Hearts. Unlike Sayonara Wild Hearts, the game is mostly colored in black and white. The studio wanted to create a "3D collage, a fragmented memory world", and therefore combined various visual styles, using "photographs, low-polygon geometry, line-rendering, and distinct sharp shading on higher res-characters" to create a surreal atmosphere.[5] According to Simon Flesser, the game's director, the team wanted to evoke "a constant feeling of ambivalence" and "a sense of absurdity", in which players will begin to question what is happening due to the peculiar scenarios presented in the game's story.[6] He further went on to add that the puzzles designed in the game were also built "around the idea of the players understanding the connection between things"[7]
In March 2020, Annapurna Interactive and Simogo announced a multi-year agreement to publish Simogo's games further after the success of Sayonara Wild Hearts in 2019.[8] During the Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase in June 2022, the game was officially revealed.[9] While the game was set to be released in 2023, an update during the Annapurna Interactive Showcase in June 2023 reveals the game delayed with a cyphered message around its launch.[10] The release date was finally revealed later during the Indie World Showcase in April 2024 with the game being set to launch on May 16, 2024.[11]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 88/100[12] NS: 88/100[12] |
| OpenCritic | 95%[13] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Eurogamer | 4/5[14] |
| GamesRadar+ | 4.5/5[15] |
| Nintendo Life | 8/10[16] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 89/100[17] |
| Shacknews | 8/10[18] |
The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator website Metacritic.[12] 95% of critics recommend the game on OpenCritic.[13]
Awards
edit| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Storytelling | Pending | [19] |
| Best Indie Game | Pending |
References
edit- ^ Saver, Michael (June 10, 2024). "Games Made with Unity: May 2024 in review". Unity Technologies. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Castle, Katherine (April 17, 2017). "Lorelei And The Laser Eyes is a new notebook-is-mandatory puzzle stunner from the Sayonara Wild Hearts devs". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Denzer, TJ (April 17, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes brings adventure & suspense in May 2024". Shacknews. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Wales, Matt (April 17, 2024). "Sayonara Wild Hearts studio's Lorelei and the Laser Eyes out in May". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Nightingale, Ed (July 14, 2023). "Annapurna-published puzzler Lorelei and the Laser Eyes features a broken world and a big secret". Eurogamer. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Conditt, Jessica (July 7, 2022). "Simogo tries to explain the mysteries of 'Lorelei and the Laser Eyes'". Engadget. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Flesser, Simon (June 3, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Interview - Sequels Not Likely" (Interview). Interviewed by Jorge Aguilar. Retrieved June 15, 2024 – via GamesHorizon.
- ^ Kerr, Chris (March 10, 2020). "Sayonara Wild Hearts dev signs multi-year partnership with Annapurna Interactive". Gamasutra. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ Radulovic, Petrana (June 28, 2022). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is the newest game from Sayonara Wild Hearts developers". Polygon. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes - Official Maze Trailer". IGN. June 30, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ Fanelli, Jason (April 17, 2024). "Lorelei And The Laser Eyes, The Next Game From Device 6 Devs, Launches In May". GameSpot. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes". Metacritic.
- ^ a b "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes Reviews". OpenCritic. May 16, 2024.
- ^ Bardhan, Ashley (May 22, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review - art, ghosts, and perfect puzzles intertwine". Eurogamer.
- ^ Watts, Rachel (May 15, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review: 'Totally engrossing, effortlessly stylish, and one of the best puzzle games of 2024'". GamesRadar+.
- ^ Scullion, Chris (May 15, 2024). "Review: Lorelei And The Laser Eyes (Switch) - An Excellent Puzzle-Filled Homage To Resident Evil". Nintendo Life.
- ^ Wright, Autumn (May 16, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review". PC Gamer.
- ^ Erskine, Donovan (May 15, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes review: A neo-noir puzzle box". Shacknews.
- ^ West, Josh (October 4, 2024). "Astro Bot and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth lead the shortlist for the Golden Joystick Awards 2024, nudging out Helldivers 2 and Balatro for the most nominations". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on October 4, 2024.
External links
edit- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes on Annapurna Interactive's website
- Lorelei and the Laser Eyes on Simogo's website