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'''''Lamplight City''''' is a [[point-and-click adventure game]] developed by American<ref>https://twitter.com/GrundislavGames</ref> studio Grundislav Games and released in 2018 by Application Systems Heidelberg. |
'''''Lamplight City''''' is a [[point-and-click adventure game]] developed by American<ref>https://twitter.com/GrundislavGames</ref> studio Grundislav Games and released in 2018 by Application Systems Heidelberg. The game takes place within an [[alternate history]] version of 19th century America that incorporates [[steampunk]] elements, in which players take control of a private detective who tackles a series of cases while trying to uncover the identity of a criminal who caused their partner's death. Although operating like a standard point-and-click adventure game, players have no inventory and can decide how to acquire information and how a case is solved, with the game's overall ending affected by the choices made. |
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== Gameplay == |
== Gameplay == |
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Players conduct the game as a former cop turned private detective in their efforts to solve a series of cases. Each of the game's locations, those relevant to a case and uncovered during an investigation, feature various objects that can be examined - some are trivial, while others may hide important clues to the current case - alongside a variety of individuals who can be questioned on different subjects. Any relevant information, such as clues and documents, are recorded in a casebook belonging to the detective; any objects that can be used to help solve puzzles, are also stored in the casebook, rather than the traditional inventory system used by games of the same genre, and used automatically where needed. Alongside clues and documents, the casebook also lists any possible suspects based on clues and conversations with relevant people, and a list of objectives which define what the player should be doing in their investigation. |
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''Lamplight City'' takes place in the year 1844 in Vespuccia, an alternate history version of the United States with [[steampunk]] elements, which remains a part of the British Empire. Players control Miles Fordham, an ex-cop who blames himself for the death of Bill Leger, his former partner. Fordham's new occupation as a private investigator is complicated when he hears Leger's voice in his head urging him to solve his murder. While investigating crimes, players are given the freedom to accuse the wrong person. The game does not end if they choose incorrectly, though the player's choices affect the plot and characters' reactions. Repeated mistakes can result in a negative endgame. Despite being a point-and-click adventure game, ''Lamplight City'' does not feature traditional inventory-based puzzles where the player must figure out how to use items. Instead, the player only needs to acquire items, which are then used automatically.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/lamplight-city-is-a-detective-adventure-where-its-okay-to-fail/|title=Lamplight City is a detective adventure where it's okay to fail|last=Kelly|first=Andy|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=2018-05-08|accessdate=2019-02-25}}</ref> |
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With the exception of the first case, the game's prologue, each case features a choice in how to proceed in various circumstances - for example, if a player tries to get a character to be more co-operative through using something against them, they are given a choice of how to do so. While the correct choice will allow them to gleam new information, the wrong choice will close off an avenue of investigation to them, and effectively a solution to how a crime was committed. Although a game does not end if the player chooses incorrectly, what choices are made can not only determine how an investigation concludes - including who, if any, is arrested for a crime - but also impact the game's overall ending; repeated mistakes with choices and declaring cases unsolvable, ultimately lead to the game's negative ending.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/lamplight-city-is-a-detective-adventure-where-its-okay-to-fail/|title=Lamplight City is a detective adventure where it's okay to fail|last=Kelly|first=Andy|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=2018-05-08|accessdate=2019-02-25}}</ref> |
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== Plot == |
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===Setting=== |
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''Lamplight City'' takes place within an alternate 19th century Earth that incorporates [[steampunk]] elements. In this timeline, the North American colonies remained a part of the British Empire and developed into a nation called Vespuccia, which retains many elements of British culture at the time, including currency and political systems, with the Industrial Revolution being more advanced and developing "steam-tech" that included automated machines and airships. The game's story takes place with the city of New Bretagne - a city that combines the Victorian elements of New Orleans, New York and London - divided into several districts, which is facing growing disruptions against the growing use of steam-tech. |
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===Story=== |
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In 1844, detectives Miles Fordham and Bill Leger visit a flower shop in New Bretagne's roughest district to investigate a report of a series of break-ins at the establishment. The men learn that a thief regularly breaks in to steal an order of flowers from the shop, but mysteriously leaves money behind in the process. Miles decision to stake out the shop and catch the thief, cause the untimely death of Bill when the suspect is spooked. Guilt-ridden over his partner's death, Miles retires from the city's police and assumes the role of a private investigator, but is constantly troubled when he finds himself hearing Bill's voice in his head, urging him to locate the flower shop burglar, that he uses sleeping medicine to cope. |
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Eager to help Miles cope with his friend's loss, Upton Constance, a female assistant in the city's police, hires him to tackle a series of cases - the attempted murder of a wealthy woman; the kidnapping of an infant child; the suspicious death of a woman; and the murder of a baker's spouse. As he attempts to investigate the cases he receives, Miles struggles to cope with hearing Bill's voice and keeping this secret from his wife Adelaide. Deciding to stop taking his medicine, Miles switches to drinking at the same pub he and Bill used to visit, causing him to become estranged with his wife and forced to move out. If he declares most of the cases he handled as unsolvable, then following the completion of the fourth case, he decides to check himself into an asylum, making Upton promise to not inform his wife of his decision. |
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Shortly after successfully completing all or most of his cases, Miles is informed by Upton that a member of the Vespuccian parliament was recently murdered by a serial killer known as "The Justice Killer", who asks him to investigate the previous murders by the killer. Miles soon notes that the previous murders all had a flower dropped at the scene which he recognizes as the same specimen stolen by the flower shop burglar. His former boss, Police Chief Snelling, soon arrives to question Upton about the missing reports - if Miles exposes her, Snelling arrests him as a result, otherwise Miles' offer to find the killer leads to his former boss agreeing on condition he finds out by the following day. Miles promptly finds a link between the victims in that each of them beat up a woman close to death and escaped justice for their actions, and determines the killer sought to punish them for their actions. After identifying the killer and learning they were motivated in their actions by the inaction of the city's police to solve his sister's murder, Miles confronts them. Before the killer can strangle him, Snelling arrives and shoots their assailant, commending Miles on solving the case. |
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A few weeks later, Miles visits Bill's grave, admitting that he misses his voice since catching his killer, but believes both have now gotten what they wanted and can now move on. |
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== Development and release == |
== Development and release == |
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Revision as of 17:24, 9 November 2019
| Lamplight City | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Grundislav Games |
| Publisher(s) | Application Systems |
| Engine | Adventure Game Studio |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Point-and-click adventure game |
Lamplight City is a point-and-click adventure game developed by American[1] studio Grundislav Games and released in 2018 by Application Systems Heidelberg. The game takes place within an alternate history version of 19th century America that incorporates steampunk elements, in which players take control of a private detective who tackles a series of cases while trying to uncover the identity of a criminal who caused their partner's death. Although operating like a standard point-and-click adventure game, players have no inventory and can decide how to acquire information and how a case is solved, with the game's overall ending affected by the choices made.
Gameplay
Players conduct the game as a former cop turned private detective in their efforts to solve a series of cases. Each of the game's locations, those relevant to a case and uncovered during an investigation, feature various objects that can be examined - some are trivial, while others may hide important clues to the current case - alongside a variety of individuals who can be questioned on different subjects. Any relevant information, such as clues and documents, are recorded in a casebook belonging to the detective; any objects that can be used to help solve puzzles, are also stored in the casebook, rather than the traditional inventory system used by games of the same genre, and used automatically where needed. Alongside clues and documents, the casebook also lists any possible suspects based on clues and conversations with relevant people, and a list of objectives which define what the player should be doing in their investigation.
With the exception of the first case, the game's prologue, each case features a choice in how to proceed in various circumstances - for example, if a player tries to get a character to be more co-operative through using something against them, they are given a choice of how to do so. While the correct choice will allow them to gleam new information, the wrong choice will close off an avenue of investigation to them, and effectively a solution to how a crime was committed. Although a game does not end if the player chooses incorrectly, what choices are made can not only determine how an investigation concludes - including who, if any, is arrested for a crime - but also impact the game's overall ending; repeated mistakes with choices and declaring cases unsolvable, ultimately lead to the game's negative ending.[2]
Plot
Setting
Lamplight City takes place within an alternate 19th century Earth that incorporates steampunk elements. In this timeline, the North American colonies remained a part of the British Empire and developed into a nation called Vespuccia, which retains many elements of British culture at the time, including currency and political systems, with the Industrial Revolution being more advanced and developing "steam-tech" that included automated machines and airships. The game's story takes place with the city of New Bretagne - a city that combines the Victorian elements of New Orleans, New York and London - divided into several districts, which is facing growing disruptions against the growing use of steam-tech.
Story
In 1844, detectives Miles Fordham and Bill Leger visit a flower shop in New Bretagne's roughest district to investigate a report of a series of break-ins at the establishment. The men learn that a thief regularly breaks in to steal an order of flowers from the shop, but mysteriously leaves money behind in the process. Miles decision to stake out the shop and catch the thief, cause the untimely death of Bill when the suspect is spooked. Guilt-ridden over his partner's death, Miles retires from the city's police and assumes the role of a private investigator, but is constantly troubled when he finds himself hearing Bill's voice in his head, urging him to locate the flower shop burglar, that he uses sleeping medicine to cope.
Eager to help Miles cope with his friend's loss, Upton Constance, a female assistant in the city's police, hires him to tackle a series of cases - the attempted murder of a wealthy woman; the kidnapping of an infant child; the suspicious death of a woman; and the murder of a baker's spouse. As he attempts to investigate the cases he receives, Miles struggles to cope with hearing Bill's voice and keeping this secret from his wife Adelaide. Deciding to stop taking his medicine, Miles switches to drinking at the same pub he and Bill used to visit, causing him to become estranged with his wife and forced to move out. If he declares most of the cases he handled as unsolvable, then following the completion of the fourth case, he decides to check himself into an asylum, making Upton promise to not inform his wife of his decision.
Shortly after successfully completing all or most of his cases, Miles is informed by Upton that a member of the Vespuccian parliament was recently murdered by a serial killer known as "The Justice Killer", who asks him to investigate the previous murders by the killer. Miles soon notes that the previous murders all had a flower dropped at the scene which he recognizes as the same specimen stolen by the flower shop burglar. His former boss, Police Chief Snelling, soon arrives to question Upton about the missing reports - if Miles exposes her, Snelling arrests him as a result, otherwise Miles' offer to find the killer leads to his former boss agreeing on condition he finds out by the following day. Miles promptly finds a link between the victims in that each of them beat up a woman close to death and escaped justice for their actions, and determines the killer sought to punish them for their actions. After identifying the killer and learning they were motivated in their actions by the inaction of the city's police to solve his sister's murder, Miles confronts them. Before the killer can strangle him, Snelling arrives and shoots their assailant, commending Miles on solving the case.
A few weeks later, Miles visits Bill's grave, admitting that he misses his voice since catching his killer, but believes both have now gotten what they wanted and can now move on.
Development and release
Lamplight City uses the Adventure Game Studio engine.[3] The inventory system was inspired by the 1997 video game Blade Runner. Other influences include Edgar Allan Poe, Charles Dickens, Dishonored, and Gabriel Knight: Sins of the Fathers. The fictional city in which the game is set, New Bretagne, is a mix of New York City, New Orleans, and Victorian London.[2] Video game developer Francisco Gonzalez had previously worked for Wadjet Eye Games, who was to publish the game. After the release of Shardlight in 2016, Gonzalez was laid off as a full time designer. Ultimately, he and Wadjet Eye decided not to go forward with publishing Lamplight City, citing creative differences. As a result, Gonzalez sought a new publisher.[4] Applications Systems released it on September 13, 2018.[5]
Reception
On Metacritic, a review aggregator, the PC version has a score of 72/100 based on 16 reviews, which the site categorizes as "mixed or average reviews".[6] GameSpot rated it 6/10 stars; reviewer James O'Connor wrote that the game is "full of great ideas, but isn't quite able to pull them off effectively". Although praising the character and dialogue, O'Connor said the ability to fail a case turns out to be a gimmick, as the cases are not challenging.[7] Richard Hoover of Adventure Gamers rated it 3/5 stars, praising the visuals, sound, music, and worldbuilding. However, Hoover wrote that the game is not sufficiently interactive. Instead of offering branching storylines, player choices seem not to affect the story much except for possibly locking out certain content.[8] Reviewing the game for Hardcore Gaming101, Jonathan Kaharl wrote that although the game initially seems to be lacking, its polish and excellent design makes it "one of the tightest, most constantly great games" of its genre.[9] Although she said the game is a bit too easy, Tina Olah of RPGFan rated it 82/100 and called it "just plain fun", highlighting the plot as "genuinely interesting and surprising".[10]
The game was nominated for "Best Original Choral Composition" with "Down Among the Dead Men" at the 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards.[11]
See also
References
- ^ https://twitter.com/GrundislavGames
- ^ a b Kelly, Andy (2018-05-08). "Lamplight City is a detective adventure where it's okay to fail". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Walker, John (2018-03-28). "Lamplight City promises a detective story where you can screw up everything". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Brown, Fraser (2017-06-27). "Shardlight designer and Wadjet Eye Games part ways". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ "Lamplight City". Adventure Gamers. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ "Lamplight City (PC)". Metacritic. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ O'Connor, James (2018-09-12). "Lamplight City Review - Cold Case". GameSpot. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Hoover, Richard (2018-09-14). "Lamplight City review". Adventure Gamers. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Kaharl, Jonathan (2018-09-13). "Lamplight City". Hardcore Gaming101. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Olah, Tina (2018-09-26). "Lamplight City". RPGFan. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- ^ Fogel, Stefanie (2019-03-21). "'God of War' Wins Six G.A.N.G. Awards, Including Audio of the Year". Variety. Retrieved 2019-03-22.
External links
