Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Cross-platform, 2024)

Release date: Thursday 16th May 2024

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch

Published by: Annapurna Interactive

Developed by: Simgogo

Genres: Adventure, Puzzle

Story Drive📖 14/20
Accessibility🚪 13/20
Depth🤿 5/20
Challenge💀 17/20
Duration⌛ 15/20
Freedom🌎 13/20
Review Scores
5xDAE
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 5
At first, it seemed like a smaller, humble game — an unpretentious puzzle title — but as you delve deeper, you realize it’s much more than that. It gradually unveils layers of depth and ambition. No, it’s not a blockbuster triple-A production, but it’s far from being the small-scale game we initially pegged it as. LATLE punches well above its weight.
The Flair: D
If there’s one thing LATLE doesn’t lack, it’s personality. Its nostalgic art style, evocative of a few console generations ago, lends the game a mystic and abstract vibe that fits it like a glove. The chromatic choices and overall visual design are spot-on, dripping with charm and uniqueness. The music? Chef’s kiss. The gramophone mechanic, which lets you control whether a room has music or not, is a clever touch, with each track being distinct and enhancing the experience. It’s little things like these that elevate the game’s audiovisuals into something memorable.
The Feel: A
Oh boy, this is polarizing. LATLE’s gameplay is as “quaint” as it is divisive. It feels like a throwback to an older era with its manual save points, clunky menus, janky inventory, and overall refusal to hold your hand. Even small interactions — like turning a crank in the “wrong” direction — highlight the game’s almost antagonistic relationship with convenience. Is this charmingly old-school, or just tedious? That’s the million-dollar question, and your mileage may vary. For us, it leaned slightly more towards the latter. That said, its openness is refreshing. The freedom it grants is empowering, but also overwhelming. More than once, you’ll find yourself beating your head against a puzzle you weren’t even supposed to solve yet. It’s as if the game revels in your confusion — whether that’s invigorating or maddening depends on your tolerance for chaos, but it's certainly VERY tough to beat without help.
The Fuel: E
When it comes to content, LATLE is an absolute beast. The sheer variety and volume of puzzles is mind-blowing. From straightforward, intuitive riddles to batshit crazy enigmas that challenge every fiber of your brain, there’s something for everyone here.One of its standout features is the randomization of puzzles. Even if you’re tempted to Google a solution, you’ll find no easy way out — every puzzle solution is unique to your playthrough. You’re forced to understand the mechanics, not just follow a walkthrough. That’s bold. The story, while gripping at points, can sometimes feel too abstract and esoteric. It teeters on the edge of becoming inaccessible but pulls itself together in the end, delivering a satisfying conclusion where the pieces of the narrative puzzle finally fit.
Excellent
86
Classic Score
Conclusions
LATLE is one of those titles that defy easy categorization, and it's Marmite gaming—you’ll either adore it or find it infuriating. What’s undeniable, though, is its audacity. LATLE takes risks that few games dare to, both in its gameplay and narrative structure. For its ambition, its atmosphere, and the sheer joy of its maddeningly brilliant puzzles, it earns its place among the genre's elite. Highly recommended, and for hardcore puzzle fans, it’s an absolute must-play.
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes
Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Cross-platform, 2024)
Badge Cabinet
Release date: Thursday 16th May 2024
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
Published by: Annapurna Interactive
Developed by: Simgogo
Genres: Adventure, Puzzle
Trait Chart
Story Drive 📖 14/20
Accessibility 🚪 13/20
Depth 🤿 5/20
Challenge 💀 17/20
Duration ⌛ 15/20
Freedom 🌎 13/20
Review Scores
5xDAE
Fouttaf Score
Dimension: 5
At first, it seemed like a smaller, humble game — an unpretentious puzzle title — but as you delve deeper, you realize it’s much more than that. It gradually unveils layers of depth and ambition. No, it’s not a blockbuster triple-A production, but it’s far from being the small-scale game we initially pegged it as. LATLE punches well above its weight.
The Flair: D
If there’s one thing LATLE doesn’t lack, it’s personality. Its nostalgic art style, evocative of a few console generations ago, lends the game a mystic and abstract vibe that fits it like a glove. The chromatic choices and overall visual design are spot-on, dripping with charm and uniqueness. The music? Chef’s kiss. The gramophone mechanic, which lets you control whether a room has music or not, is a clever touch, with each track being distinct and enhancing the experience. It’s little things like these that elevate the game’s audiovisuals into something memorable.
The Feel: A
Oh boy, this is polarizing. LATLE’s gameplay is as “quaint” as it is divisive. It feels like a throwback to an older era with its manual save points, clunky menus, janky inventory, and overall refusal to hold your hand. Even small interactions — like turning a crank in the “wrong” direction — highlight the game’s almost antagonistic relationship with convenience. Is this charmingly old-school, or just tedious? That’s the million-dollar question, and your mileage may vary. For us, it leaned slightly more towards the latter. That said, its openness is refreshing. The freedom it grants is empowering, but also overwhelming. More than once, you’ll find yourself beating your head against a puzzle you weren’t even supposed to solve yet. It’s as if the game revels in your confusion — whether that’s invigorating or maddening depends on your tolerance for chaos, but it's certainly VERY tough to beat without help.
The Fuel: E
When it comes to content, LATLE is an absolute beast. The sheer variety and volume of puzzles is mind-blowing. From straightforward, intuitive riddles to batshit crazy enigmas that challenge every fiber of your brain, there’s something for everyone here.One of its standout features is the randomization of puzzles. Even if you’re tempted to Google a solution, you’ll find no easy way out — every puzzle solution is unique to your playthrough. You’re forced to understand the mechanics, not just follow a walkthrough. That’s bold. The story, while gripping at points, can sometimes feel too abstract and esoteric. It teeters on the edge of becoming inaccessible but pulls itself together in the end, delivering a satisfying conclusion where the pieces of the narrative puzzle finally fit.
Conclusions

LATLE is one of those titles that defy easy categorization, and it's Marmite gaming—you’ll either adore it or find it infuriating. What’s undeniable, though, is its audacity. LATLE takes risks that few games dare to, both in its gameplay and narrative structure. For its ambition, its atmosphere, and the sheer joy of its maddeningly brilliant puzzles, it earns its place among the genre's elite. Highly recommended, and for hardcore puzzle fans, it’s an absolute must-play.

Excellent
86
Classic Score