Lacuna - A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure

 PC
Lacuna - A Sci-Fi Noir Adventure Image
Metascore
86

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 31 Ratings

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  • Summary: A murder. A hack. A bombing. All it takes to plunge the solar system into war – unless you do something about it. Help CDI agent Neil Conrad make a string of increasingly difficult decisions in this modern dialog-driven adventure set in a gorgeous 2D sci-fi noir universe.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. Adventure Gamers
    Jul 12, 2021
    90
    Lacuna is a wonderfully tense hard-boiled story set in a gorgeous jazzpunk future. Its mysteries will make you work for the answers, and will even let you fail, but either way the payoff is a sense of accomplishment that few other narrative puzzlers provide.
  2. The Indie Game Website
    May 27, 2021
    90
    It’s rare that a game fully explores the weight of choice and consequence, but it’s even rarer that a debut game does it so well. Lacuna is that game: an intricately crafted, perfectly paced and engrossing experience that places the story front and centre. Players will be on the edge of their seats, pouring over every detail and—quite literally—reflecting on the choices that led them there.
  3. Ragequit.gr
    May 27, 2021
    90
    Lacuna is undoubtedly a candidate for one of the best indie of the year. With a very elaborate and clever script, memorable characters, several political extensions, intrigues, and many ethical questions, it will remain etched in your memory for a long time.
  4. PC Invasion
    May 28, 2021
    85
    It doesn't take a gumshoe to tell that Lacuna is a stellar, noir-inspired adventure, that is absolutely worth investigating further. Other than a few quality of life tweaks, it's hard to find much wrong with this narrative-driven hunt and click. Be sure not to let this suspect slip through your fingers.
  5. Player 2
    Jun 29, 2021
    83
    There are some reviews that are hard to write because the game is just fine, and then there are some that just pour out of you because you can’t help but think of all the things it does well. Lacuna is well and truly the latter, with every small piece pulling together to create a really great detective game ripe for the picking.
  6. PC Games
    Jan 30, 2022
    80
    Lacuna is a wonderful indie detective game in which you have to solve the murder of a politician. The graphics are really nice, as are the atmosphere and the sound. There’s a lot of great twists and turns regarding the story, resulting in several different outcomes, depending on the player’s choices. Overall a clear recommendation.

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 2 out of 16
  1. InfestedTeeth
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    Lacuna's story captivated me from the beginning, constantly making me feel like I wanted to know what would happen next. The beautiful pixelLacuna's story captivated me from the beginning, constantly making me feel like I wanted to know what would happen next. The beautiful pixel art did its part to create an atmospheric experience, and don't even get us started on the fantastic soundtrack. There are only little things that can bother, but they are not worth mentioning. If you like to strain your gray brain cells and solve cases, this game is definitely for you. A clear recommendation on all levels!… Expand
  2. PeteMcPete
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    Artstyle, controls and puzzles gives it a simplistic feel and hides the focus on details and complexity which lies underneath the pixelatedArtstyle, controls and puzzles gives it a simplistic feel and hides the focus on details and complexity which lies underneath the pixelated surface. Lacuna is a thrilling game which takes you into a carefully crafted world. The great soundtrack and story carrries you along to one of the different endings. Definitive recommendation.… Expand
  4. Shihana
    Jun 30, 2021
    10
    (English below) Ein sehr schönes Detektivspiel mit einer wirklich guten Story. Die Rätsel haben mir Spaß gemacht und erforderten mit jedem Mal(English below) Ein sehr schönes Detektivspiel mit einer wirklich guten Story. Die Rätsel haben mir Spaß gemacht und erforderten mit jedem Mal mehr Nachdenken. Es gibt mehrere Enden, die von den Entscheidungen und den Rätseln (richtig oder falsch gelöst) abhängen. Mit der Tastatursteuerung kam ich gut zurecht, alternativ kann man auch mit Controller spielen.

    A very nice detective game with a great story. The cases were fun to me and they needed more thinking each time. There are different endings which depend on the player's choices and on the cases (whether they were solved correctly or not). I had no struggles with the keyboard controls but the game also has controller support.    … Expand
  5. WhistlertheY
    Jun 29, 2021
    10
    Awesome noir pixel-art game with an intense soundtrack and a thrilling story. If you are into detective games and find futuristic settingsAwesome noir pixel-art game with an intense soundtrack and a thrilling story. If you are into detective games and find futuristic settings appealing, this is the game to go!… Expand
  6. Spyrou
    Apr 13, 2023
    9
    A cop investigation in a 2D pixel world. what not to like ?
    you play a detective who has to put the puzzle back in one piece.
    Awesome pixel    A cop investigation in a 2D pixel world. what not to like ?
    you play a detective who has to put the puzzle back in one piece.
    Awesome pixel graphics. the story is quite rich. maybe too rich ? this goes along with good sci-fi stories.
    Should be 10/10, but I was able to finish the game (first pass only) a bit too quickly.    … Expand
  7. UncleEd
    Nov 19, 2021
    8
    Lacuna is an interactive noir adventure. For me it was pretty much an instant purchase simply because it was giving heavy Beneath a Steel SkyLacuna is an interactive noir adventure. For me it was pretty much an instant purchase simply because it was giving heavy Beneath a Steel Sky vibes. Having played through the game, I can safely say the setting is where the resemblance to Beneath a Steel Sky ends. On the other hand, Lacuna is still a pretty good game in its own right.

    You are a detective working for the CDI, investigating a case involving interplanetary terrorism. When you initiate a dialogue, you are often given a few options of answers with a timer, where your choice will influence how the game will end. There are no point & click puzzles here and the game focuses on the narrative experience instead. It is still interactive, but your interaction will mostly be limited to moving to different places and reading your emails, clues etc. Pixel art is very beautiful and arguably the strongest aspect of Lacuna. I also liked the unique interface, which was pretty eye-candy and easy & fun to use. Writing and story are pretty good, but nothing very memorable.

    Overall, Lacuna is an easy recommendation for everyone who enjoys narrative games, as well as dystopian, sci-fi and noir settings.    … Expand
  8. DickPain
    Apr 6, 2022
    0
    Fairly enjoyable, but lacking in comparison to other PC puzzle games. Lovely pixel art, music and voice acting, but let down by simple puzzlesFairly enjoyable, but lacking in comparison to other PC puzzle games. Lovely pixel art, music and voice acting, but let down by simple puzzles that boil down to running another a set path, talking to one or two people, interacting with a small number or interactive elements, and then answering one or more questions. The story had potential but didn't have enough peaks throughout the game to be truly gripping or exciting. Worth playing for puzzle game and detective noir fans if they are looking for another game in the genre to try, but for everybody else, there are better games available.… Expand

See all 16 User Reviews

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