Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

Last updated

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes cover art.jpg
Developer(s) Simogo
Publisher(s) Annapurna Interactive
Director(s) Simon Flesser
Engine Unity [1]
Platform(s)
Release
  • Windows, Switch
  • May 16, 2024
  • PS4, PS5
  • December 3, 2024
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player

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 Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch. It is also set to release for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on December 3, 2024.

Contents

Gameplay

In 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

Lorelei 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

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to review aggregator website Metacritic. [12] 95% of critics recommend the game on OpenCritic. [13]

Awards

YearCeremonyCategoryResultRef.
2024 Golden Joystick Awards Best StorytellingPending [19]
Best Indie GamePending
The Game Awards 2024 Best Independent GamePending [20]

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References

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  2. 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.
  3. Denzer, TJ (April 17, 2024). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes brings adventure & suspense in May 2024". Shacknews . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
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  5. 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.
  6. Conditt, Jessica (July 7, 2022). "Simogo tries to explain the mysteries of 'Lorelei and the Laser Eyes'". Engadget . Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  7. 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.
  8. Kerr, Chris (March 10, 2020). "Sayonara Wild Hearts dev signs multi-year partnership with Annapurna Interactive". Gamasutra . Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  9. Radulovic, Petrana (June 28, 2022). "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes is the newest game from Sayonara Wild Hearts developers". Polygon. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  10. "Lorelei and the Laser Eyes - Official Maze Trailer". IGN . June 30, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2024.
  11. 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.
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