Lamplight City

Lamplight City is a steampunk-inspired detective adventure set in the fictional city of New Bretagne. Players assume the role of Miles Fordham, a down-on-his-luck private investigator haunted by the death of his former partner, Bill Leger. As Miles navigates a series of cases through point-and-click gameplay, players must gather clues, interrogate suspects, and make consequential choices that shape the narrative’s outcome – all without traditional fail-states, allowing multiple paths to resolutions while exploring themes of guilt, corruption, and redemption in an industrialized Victorian-era setting.

Lamplight City: Review

A haunting detective tale where failure isn’t fatal—it’s transformative.

Introduction

Set in a steampunk-infused alternate 19th century, Lamplight City (2018) reimagines the detective adventure genre by embracing imperfection. Developed by Grundislav Games, this narrative-driven experience challenges players to solve crimes in a world where mistakes have consequences, but never dead ends. This review argues that Lamplight City revitalizes classic point-and-click conventions through its bold rejection of binary success/failure systems, offering a nuanced exploration of guilt, justice, and redemption—all while grappling with the technological limitations of its indie roots.

---

Development History & Context

Studio & Vision: Francisco Gonzalez, creator of Shardlight (2016), founded Grundislav Games after parting ways with Wadjet Eye Games due to creative differences. His goal for Lamplight City was to craft a detective story where players could “fail forward,” inspired by Blade Runner’s (1997) interrogation mechanics and the morally gray worlds of Gabriel Knight and Dishonored.

Technological Constraints: Built in Adventure Game Studio (AGS), the game’s pixel-art aesthetic and lack of 3D rendering reflect its indie budget. Yet Gonzalez leveraged these constraints to focus on narrative depth, with hand-drawn backdrops evoking a “lived-in” steampunk Vespuccia—a fictionalized America still under British rule.

Release Landscape: Launched in 2018 amid a resurgence of narrative adventures (Disco Elysium, Unavowed), Lamplight City stood out for its refusal to hold players’ hands. Its decision to forgo traditional puzzles divided critics but cemented its identity as a dialogue-driven mystery.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot & Characters: Players embody Miles Fordham, a guilt-ridden detective tormented by the ghost of his partner, Bill Leger, after a botched arrest. Over five cases—from a buried-alive socialite to a serial killer targeting abusive men—Miles unravels a web of corruption in New Bretagne, a city torn between industrial progress and human suffering.

Themes:
– Guilt & Trauma: Bill’s spectral presence forces Miles to confront his culpability, symbolized by his reliance on soporifics to silence the haunting.
– Class & Technology: The Reddites, anti-steampunk radicals, mirror real-world Luddite fears, while the elite weaponize “progress” to exploit workers.
– Justice vs. Truth: Players can accuse innocents or abandon cases entirely, reshaping Miles’ morality. One ending sees him institutionalized, a stark commentary on mental health stigma.

Dialogue & Branching Narratives: Unlike traditional adventures, Lamplight City lets players lock themselves out of clues through abrasive questioning. A suspect might withhold evidence if insulted, forcing creative deduction—or resignation.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Loop:
1. Investigation: Examine crime scenes for clues (e.g., a torn ransom note, bloodied whip).
2. Interrogation: Question suspects using a Gabriel Knight-style dialogue tree. Choose threats or diplomacy—each has repercussions.
3. Accusation: Wrongly convict someone? The story adapts, but Miles’ psyche deteriorates.

Innovations:
– No Inventory: Clues auto-log into a casebook, streamlining gameplay.
– Unsolvable Cases: Players can abandon investigations, a radical departure from genre norms.
– Adaptive Endings: Four conclusions reflect cumulative choices, from redemption to despair.

Flaws:
– Puzzle-Lite Design: Overreliance on dialogue alienates players craving tactile challenges.
– Undercooked Stealth: The final case’s tailing mechanic feels clunky compared to the nuanced writing.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting: New Bretagne blends Victorian London’s foggy alleys, New Orleans’ Creole mystique, and New York’s industrial bustle. Districts like the crime-riddled Cholmondeley and opulent Gascogne highlight Vespuccia’s inequality.

Visuals: Pixel art shines in moody, lamp-lit streets and ornate mansions, though animations are rudimentary. Standouts include:
– Madame DuPree’s Manor: Gold-leafed walls contrast with a bloodstained whip in her bedroom.
– The Gilded Lily Brothel: Crimson drapes and flickering candles underscore its tragic secrets.

Sound Design: Mark Benis’ score melds harpsichord melodies with industrial clanks, while voice acting (notably Ben Britton’s weary Miles) elevates the script. Bill’s sardonic quips (“Brooding detective in a long coat—never been seen before”) provide levity amid darkness.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical Response:
– Praise: “A satisfying detective experience that benefits from breaking conventions” (TechRaptor, 95/100).
– Criticism: “Too much talking, not enough gameplay” (Adventure Gamers, 60/100).
– Metascore: 72 (PC), reflecting divisiveness over its experimental design.

Commercial Performance: Sold ~50,000 copies (SteamSpy), bolstered by a cult following among narrative-focused players.

Legacy: While not a mainstream hit, Lamplight City influenced later titles like Unavowed and Kathy Rain by proving that failure could drive, rather than derail, a story. Its 2025 sequel, Rosewater, expands the Vespuccia universe into the American West.

---

Conclusion

Lamplight City is a flawed gem—a detective game that prioritizes emotional resonance over mechanical polish. Its willingness to let players stumble, accuse innocents, and grapple with irreversible consequences makes it a standout in the genre. While hindered by uneven pacing and underdeveloped systems, it remains essential for fans of narrative experimentation. In a medium obsessed with “winning,” Lamplight City dares to ask: What if losing is the point?

Final Verdict: 8/10. A must-play for story enthusiasts, but puzzle purists may find its ambitions outpacing execution.