The Town of Light

Video games set in asylums are nothing new, and players often have had to deal with the horrors hidden deep within these institutions. But no game gets to be as impactful as LKA's The Town of Light, a somewhat straightforward first person story driven game that manages to leave a deep and meaningful lasting impression without any sort of supernatural element.

The Town of Light is a thoughtfully written, painstakingly designed walking simulator set in an early 20th century asylum. Though load times and sections that are less than intuitive cause frustration, they do not dissuade my recommendation. You’ll quickly become caught up in the story of Renee, a young girl whose circumstances were depressingly real for many women during that time.

While the game might not portray mental health care institutions in the best light, it seems obvious that the developers have tried to make something that accurately reflects the people who have to reside in them. It reminds us all that these kind of problems aren’t always evident at birth – the majority of them can strike at any time and are indiscriminating when it comes to whom they affect. This isn’t just a game about a young woman. It’s not just a game about a scary insane asylum. It’s a game that tries, and almost succeeds, to open people’s eyes (gamers’ in particular) to the very real p...

Depicting the horrors of an asylum with animated pictures was a tender touch to sensitive imagery. Even the 3D animations conveyed moments with care. But the story is confusing and painfully disappointing and the translation errors make matters worse. So I can commend LKA’s efforts, but I can’t recommend The Town of Light.

I’m not so foolish as to ignore that some of the game’s missteps are just that. However, LKA should be commended for being one of only a few developers in recent memory who has endeavored to express this much humanity and depth for the community of the mentally ill and in a way that is so subversive. The Town of Light is an experience with the power to enlighten many to the anguish of those few still lost in the dark.

Mental health is a topic that rarely gets attention in the gaming world. I would even go as far as to say that it isn’t the kind of subject matter that lends itself well to the hobby as a whole. Heck, this could really be a topic that extends in its uneasiness to daily life in general. It’s just not something that is talked about. For better or worse, this sets the stage for LKA.it’s new thriller, The Town of Light. The game itself is a gut-wrenching tale that takes the player through an adolescent’s venture into psychosis. Yep, it’s about as fun as the subject matter might imply, but that isn...

The Town of Light isn’t a game you play for fun. There’s nothing enjoyable about the true face of mental illness nor the fear and isolation it engenders. Instead of aiming to reward players with a sense of enjoyment, LKA.it strives to help them empathise with the character of Renée and the unspeakable horrors she’s forced to endure. There’s a sobering, meaningful story to be witnessed and while its delivery is imperfect, The Town of Light still makes for one of the most thought-provoking games of this year.

The Town of Light is a PC Indie game that explores the horror genre. Much like cinema, horror is often a staple of smaller game and movie creators. It requires the least behind the scenes investment and if done right can yield an amazing return on investment. The Town of Light has an intriguing developmental history. It is the creation of an Italian graphics company – LKA. Video games are not their prime offering. They also offer services for documentaries, virtual sets, and architectural designs. The Town of Light was a new venture for them.

However, even if you’re one to stomach these triggers in some way, you must also be open to the power of storytelling over gameplay. If you’re looking for a jump-out action packed horror game, The Town of Light is not for you. But I urge you to open your mind and consider it a separate learning experience.

The Town of Light has an interesting premise, but, however worthy an enterprise it is, the story is just too confused a journey to leave a real impact.

The Town of Light has an intriguing premise that blends a real-life setting with a fictitious personal story. However, do the two combine to create a compelling gameplay experience?

The Town of Light's unique setting and a handful of standout scenes aren't enough to save the game from boring puzzles, nonsensical plot, and a general lack of direction.