Lake Ridden

Lake Ridden is a first person adventure and exploration game steeped in a gorgeous, rural atmosphere with an exciting mix of mystery and the supernatural. While many may point out its similarities to games such as Gone Home, The vanishing of ethan carter, Firewatch, or even Dear Esther, Lake Ridden stands out from the crowd with a unique blend of influences, an utterly beautiful visual style, and a bold goal of doing something different.

Lakeside Mystery

The game’s story primarily takes place in the eponymous Lake Ridden, a beautiful slice of countryside that manages to be just as stunning as it is creepy. There are remnants of happier times sprinkled all across Lake Ridden’s shores, and not even the lush greenery can distract you from your primary goal: find your sister.

You see, children have been going missing around Lake Ridden for some time, and this motivation is what carries the player throughout the game’s 8-10 hour story. Players will take control of Marie, the older sister of Sophie, who went missed in 1988. The idea is that you are recounting the events of your sister’s disappearance, perhaps through guilt, or perhaps in an effort to uncover something more sinister.

Twists and Turns

After Sophie goes missing, players will soon notice one of the most noticeable aspects of Lake Ridden: its ability to tell a compelling story. Immediately after your little sister goes missing you are taken on an odyssey of self discovery, mystery, family and history through many different locations. The game is clever to contrast every section against the ones that preceded it, carefully playing with players’ emotions like a kind of campsite roller coaster.

As the player heads further and further into the woodlands of Lake Ridden, things certainly don’t get easier. There is an ever-present sense of unease as you take each step into the forest, coupled with strange artifacts, objects and other points of interest along the way. To avoid spoilers, I won’t be specific, but there are more than a few surprises dotted along the breadcrumb trail to find your sister.

The story is told primarily through objects from long ago. This is a common theme throughout Lake Ridden, as the story focuses heavily on the past, the forgotten and the abandoned, highlighted through the lake’s long-deserted homes, parks and campsites. Ultimately it’s up to the player to piece things together, and the game won’t hold your hand to explain exactly what’s going on.

You’re Not Alone

Some ‘walking simulator’ type games are devoid of any speaking characters, leaving players to inject characters themselves through letters and other discovered missives on their journey. Lake Ridden is a bit different.

Shortly into the game, you’ll be introduced to Nora, apparently a little girl. Nora isn’t visible to you, but you can hear her, and she talks to you happily, telling you all about herself and asking to play games in a way that you can’t be sure if it’s innocent or creepy.

PROS

• Gorgeous scenery and great art style
• Unique setting and tone
• Beautiful mix of emotions

CONS

• Game mechanics are formulaic
• Puzzles are very simple