REVIEW : Lake (PS5)
In Lake, you take on the role of Meredith Weiss, a middle-aged lady who works for a software business and has accepted her father’s offer to carry parcels and letters in a tiny lakeside hamlet for two weeks while he is away.
Lake, from Dutch developer Gamious, is all about the power of taking a step back, slowing down, and recognising what’s important. There are no puzzles, only magnificent countryside, a truck full of mail, and the chance to reconnect with old pals.
Lake is a relatively basic game in general. For two weeks, you start your day at the post office, hop in your van, and deliver parcels and letters to the residents of the town. Some homes will be empty, but on occasion, someone will be home and eager to strike up a long chat. Meredith grew up in Providence Oaks, and some of her childhood friends, such as the old cat lady and an alienated buddy, still live there. Some talks begin awkwardly considering how long it has been since Meredith visited the town, but you will have the opportunity to form meaningful relationships with the inhabitants of Providence Oaks over the next two weeks.
While the basic gameplay of Lake consists of driving around and dropping things off, the relationship-building aspect of the game shines.
The game never compels you to go through long stretches of gameplay just to be met by even longer stretches of story. Instead, it seamlessly blends the two to produce a lovely harmony. Essentially, the gameplay keeps the plot flowing while simultaneously being highly entertaining in its own right.
Every conversation can be treated differently depending on the decisions you make, which have long-term consequences for future talks and scenarios. For example, taking an old RV off a couple’s hands when they depart provides you with the option of passing it on to a buddy going on a long journey, but only because you went on a date with them and encouraged them to leave the city because their business isn’t doing well.
All of the characters’ storylines are intertwined, and each player’s experience will be unique. For a small town, there’s a diverse cast of inhabitants of various ages and origins, and your brief visit can have a significant impact on their fortunes, resulting in a range of potential endings. There are also several lighthearted amusing moments tossed in to add charm to the plot, making playing Lake feel like watching an episode of Joe Pera Talks With You.
Graphics
Lake is indisputably gorgeous, from the sun-soaked streets to the flowing waterfalls hiding behind the rickety cottage. The cobbly rise beside the gleaming lake is lined with dense greenery. The sun rises from behind the breathtakingly beautiful snow-capped mountains. As the wind blows in from across the sea, light breaks through the tree branches, gently shaking the windows of the sleeping town. The streets are bathed in an orange hue as cars begin to come to life before the foggy horizon.
All of these fancy Descriptions don’t seem to do Lake’s breathtakingly beautiful visual style Justice. This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful-looking games I’ve ever seen. While Lake would have been an excellent title even without its outstanding visual aesthetic, it does help to immerse oneself in the world of Providence Oaks.
Fortunately, there is not just stunning beauty in Lake’s overall world, but also its minute intricacies. Many of the little features scattered across the world contribute to genuinely bringing it to life. Furthermore, Lake is densely crowded with walkers, roving cars, and wildlife, making it feel more solid and, ultimately, alive. Bringing such a captivatingly moving environment to life is a genuinely great feat on the part of the makers.
To find out more, visit: https://whitethorndigital.com/lake
Lake Twitter: @Lake_the_Game
Whitethorn Twitter: @WhiteThornGames
Store : https://store.playstation.com/en-us/product/UP5223-PPSA06334_00-LAKEPS5SIEAFULL0
