Lake Reviews
Buried beneath Lake's innumerable mundane tasks are some really cool characters and stories. It’s just a shame you have to dig deep to really reach them.
I don’t regret my stay in Providence Oaks, but like most vacations, I wish I had gotten to do more in the short time I had with the game. If you’re looking for a slice-of-life experience in a peaceful lake town and you don’t mind some bumps along the road, Lake might just be up your alley. If you want a narrative game with replay value where your choices affect the story, this vacation might leave you a little wanting.
I had a very hard time getting anywhere near the end of this game. It was so slow; it would have been better off as a real visual novel instead of making the player do long, boring hours of forced labour. Delivering real mail would be a lot more interesting. The delivery mini-game padding in this game makes it less likely that visual novel fans will love this game, and the repetitive nature of Lake will ensure that adventure game lovers will also not really dig this title. I’m not entirely sure who the target audience for this game is, but I feel like it misses the mark completely.
Between the walking simulator, and the video game experience, Lake is a contemplative title that takes advantage of rather well-written characters, and a system of dialogues impactful enough for us to think about the meaning of life and its priorities. No choice is better than the other, so the title really lets us opt for what we want, without it having a positive or negative impact on the gaming experience.
Review in French | Read full review
Lake's curious proposal is surprisingly entertaining, although it ends up becoming repetitive. The worst thing is the numerous bugs that affect the experience.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
This is a fine game for people who want a basic story, and no pressure while playing, which this does well. You have no timer on your day, and missions will not expire. The game itself is good to sink a few hours into. But that’s all it is, there’s nothing to keep the player coming back for more. While having potential, it falls short in my opinion. This is why Lake will be getting the Thumb Culture Silver Award from me. There’s not enough content here to keep the player interested long-term. While there are story elements to it, they’re pretty shallow and the only impact they have is on the outcome of the main story. I will leave you with the game trailer as always.
A gentle adventure, imbued with a sense of place and purpose.
Although the final decision felt flat, the residents of Providence Oaks and the interactions and relationships you form are wholesome and reinforce that sense of community and feeling like you belong. Sometimes in life, it's about the journey, not the destination, and I think the same about Lake.
A charming journey into the American countryside. It's not the most original gaming experience and there are a few bugs that still needs solving, but thanks to its rich atmosphere and interesting characters Lake still manages to provide half a dozen hours of good entertainment.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Take a break and deliver mail in the beautiful town of Providence Oaks with Lake, an indie title from developer Gamious with a lot of cosy content—if you want there to be. Can Lake really satisfy that wholesome itch, or do technical flaws ruin the experience?
While the concept of Lake is simple and sweet, the repetitive gameplay can take away from the story and its interesting characters, making the daily delivery tasks more of a chore than something more.
Lake's placid design philosophy cuts both ways: no flaw too egregious and no positive too remarkable.
Lake offers a relaxing, slow-paced experience that is not for everybody, but if you need a break from all the fast-paced action packed routine of these days and not looking to spend more than 20 bucks, then Lake can be a good choice for you.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Concept games like Lake are great for what they are and for how long they last you. You shouldn’t come to them expecting to be blown away, but for what they aim to present. Lake is especially good at delivering a satisfyingly light and encapsulated experience, but not much else.
Lake sells itself well on its peaceful atmosphere, which makes it easy to pick up and play, although several design decisions prevent the game from shining.
Unconventional and even slower paced than most games we see out there, Lake is a great choice for those who feel anguished about the decisions they made for their own lives and who are looking for reflections that can somehow appease indecisions. It is also suitable for anyone who likes to enjoy a beautiful view along the road and casual conversations with different people.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Moving into the country, away from the hustle and bustle of life in the big city, is a formula seen in many games. In the postal worker simulation game Lake, the small town of Providence Oaks needs a temporary postwoman and you’re just the right person for the job! Find out whether Providence Oaks is a dream destination or life in the slow lane in this Rapid Review.
Delivering mail and driving around familiar streets helped set that relaxing tone. The unique interactions between Meredith and the other characters in Providence Oaks gave me the right motivation to play through and invest me in her tale. Lake isn't just a game about delivering mail; Lake is about reconnecting, and it was quite enjoyable to guide Meredith to a life she will enjoy.
Lake allows us to spend a pleasant time driving along its quiet roads and meeting the neighbors of Providence Oaks. A story about the return to the past and the dichotomy between the quiet life of the countryside and the hustle and bustle of the big city. A return to the roots that, however, does not quite take off and is somewhat weak, along with a system of decisions whose endings are quite predictable. Lake enjoys a nice cartoon style that gives great beauty to its landscapes that, however, overshadowed by the poor technical workmanship.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Lake, despite its problems, is still a beautiful adventure which lends itself enough to disconnect for a long time, not only thanks to its beautiful views, but also to its beautiful soundtrack. So and everything I would recommend only to those who are lovers like me of the walking simulators of more relaxing tone like Abzu or Journey, since in my opinion at least, I feel that they are the only ones who will really know how to enjoy it.
Review in Spanish | Read full review