Lake
Developed by Gamious
Published by Whitethorn Games
Initially Released September 1, 2021
Available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Windows
Genre: Adventure/Simulation
Personal Playtime: 7 hours 45 minutes
Environments / Graphics – 7.5
The art style in Lake may not be for everybody, but I find it charming. The slight touch of cel shading with the understated color palette is an aesthetic that I appreciate. The small Oregon town is homey, not particularly large but still fun to explore in your mail truck. There is a peaceful quality to everything that makes Lake a somewhat mediative experience. The 1980’s is a great time period for this to be set in, as it keeps technology from getting in the way of the gentle breezy vibes this game is trying to deliver. There isn’t much going on, and I can imagine that it could be easy to get bored. However, if you clear your mind and let yourself enter the zen state of moving through Providence Oaks, there is a quality experience to be had.
Music / Sound – 7
The music in this game is so chill, befitting the thoughtful air propagated throughout your time in Providence Oaks. Niels van der Leest creates a classic road trip playlist that allows you to zone into your daily drive in a way that gives just enough variety that the songs don’t all blend into each other while still keeping a cohesive vision. Lake wants you to settle in and be a part of this sleepy world, and the soundtrack provided fits that directive quite well. The sounds you hear as you drive around establish the untainted rural setting just as well as the art design, and the two operate in concert to make the background feel grounded in a peaceful reality.
Narrative / Performance- 7
There isn’t much too the narrative of Lake aside from simply existing in this world. There are some plot threads that dangle for you to follow; however, they don’t generally lead anywhere significant. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as it reinforces the concept that there is never really anything of note going on in a small lake town in Oregon. That is something that runs through the story as you progress, and it is something that this game wants you to confront. Do you like the easy chill of the countryside, or does it grate on you and drive you to more exciting urban pastures? That is a reckoning that anyone who grows up in such a setting must come to terms with as they reach adulthood, and it is a theme that this game leans into. The characters are charming and interesting, each in their own way, and it is rewarding to get to know the townsfolk and build relationships with them as you see fit. The performances are all pretty solid and work to reinforce the believability of this reality. Karyn O’Bryant is very good as Meredith, the protagonist; and Whitney Szabo, Todd Ellis, and Ed Mace all have standout performances as well. All the characters make you want to learn more about them, and that is the true strength of this game.
Gameplay / Mechanics – 6
I always appreciate it when a game asks something of its audience rather than cater to the lowest common denominator. So many games nowadays are afraid to let people dislike them, but that isn’t something they really have control over. This game will be boring to some people, and that is a fact that doesn’t seem to bother the developers. Lake wants you to settle in, and if you do, you can find a peaceful tranquility in your daily routine. This game asks you to immerse yourself in a world where there isn’t really anything going on. As I played, I kept expecting something to happen but it never really did. And that is the point. You make your way through this life as you see fit, and it is up to you to decide if you like it or not. That decision isn’t merely an out-of-game assertion, but an in-game realization the character must come to. It is baked into the game itself. That is a braze stance to take, and one that will not work out for everybody. But if you have an open mind – and 5-8 hours to kill – it is something that can leave you feeling complete and fulfilled by the end of the experience.
Lake
- Graphics – 7.5
- Sound – 7
- Narrative – 7
- Gameplay – 6
Overall: 6.5
This is an interesting proposition when it comes to deciding whether you will enjoy this experience. I hope these thoughts have helped you get a grasp on your feelings on it. The short playtime associated with Lake makes it easier to recommend because it can be finished in a few days, so even if you end up disliking it, it isn’t a huge time commitment. In the end, I’m not sure if I think this game is good. But I did enjoy my time with it. This game lets you just exist in a way that I found appealing. This is a prime example of the kind of things that you can experience in video games that aren’t as easy to transfer to other storytelling mediums. Like it or not, it is a uniquely “video game” experience and a gentle reminder as to why I love games.
Game Overview
It’s September 1, 1986. You take on the role of forty-something Meredith Weiss, who returns from the big city to her quiet hometown. She exchanges her busy career at a software company to fill in for her dad, the local mail carrier.
During her two-week stay in beautiful Providence Oaks, Oregon, she runs into a few familiar faces as well as plenty of new folk. As Meredith, you get to decide who to talk to, who to befriend and perhaps even start a romantic relationship with.
Whatever happens, at the end of her stint she’ll have to make up her mind: return to her demanding job in the big city, or stay in the town she grew up in?
