Beacon Pines

 Switch
Beacon Pines Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 15 Ratings

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  • Summary: Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. You play as both the reader of the book and its main character, Luka.

    Something strange is happening at the old warehouse, and Luka and his friends seem to be the only ones taking notice. Sneak out late, make new    Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. You play as both the reader of the book and its main character, Luka.

    Something strange is happening at the old warehouse, and Luka and his friends seem to be the only ones taking notice. Sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and collect words that will change the course of fate!

    As the book's reader, you'll navigate the story's turning points using The Chronicle: an interactive story tree that branches and grows along with your choices. Exploring one set of events can unlock new charms to use on another branch, leading you to jump back and forth between entirely different versions of the story in order to unravel the mysteries at the heart of Beacon Pines.    … Expand

Trailer

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Beacon Pines - Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. GameCritics
    Sep 30, 2022
    95
    While it might be listed as a cute and creepy summer adventure in a PR blast, that doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of what it truly offers. Rather, it’s wonderful coming-of-age story about a young boy still grieving, creating powerful friendships, and finding his “true” happy ending.
  2. TouchArcade
    Sep 28, 2022
    90
    If you like adventure games or just want to enjoy an interesting, well-written story with a pleasingly dark vibe, Beacon Pines will serve you well. It’s a thoroughly engrossing tale that pulls you in further the more you play it. Perhaps a little too substantial to explore in a single session, but you’ll likely find yourself wanting to see it all the way through in one go. Add in a superb presentation with gorgeous visuals and excellent narration, and you’ve got a winner.
  3. App Trigger
    Oct 9, 2022
    90
    Beacon Pines is a well-thought-out and adorable little mystery narrative game that is a perfect way to relax and unravel an ever-changing story that you control.
  4. NintendoWorldReport
    Sep 22, 2022
    85
    Beacon Pines is an incredibly neat narrative adventure game that feels unique in terms of its mechanics. The story and mystery presented in the game’s world feel fun to discover, and the drastic differences noticed while going back and forth between different branches will likely be enough to keep your attention for the game’s 6 to 7-hour runtime. I especially enjoyed the game’s narrator, as she gives a delightfully enthusiastic (if not cheesy) performance throughout. If you want a complicated story with a simple delivery method, and a fun way of branching around, Beacon Pines is definitely a game to give a try.
  5. IGN Italia
    Oct 1, 2022
    85
    Beacon Pines is an adventure that takes shape before the player's eyes, but the gameplay feels so much limited because of the narrative. Despite that, it tries to tell a meaningful arc that overshadows its shortcomings by delivering a coming-of-age story in which it is worth diving.
  6. Nintendo Life
    Oct 26, 2022
    80
    Beacon Pines presents a rich world filled with deeply considered, not to mention adorable, characters. The beautifully crafted art, paired with a soundtrack that both captures and sets the mood, make for a wholly enjoyable experience. It might not be for those who prefer action, but it is a lovely and compelling story that sees Luka, Rolo and Beck delve into a bevy of unique situations. You might finish it in less than a work day, but it’ll stay with you for much longer.
  7. SpazioGames
    Sep 21, 2022
    70
    Beacon Pines is a cozy and fun game with perfect comic-style graphics and an addicting story. The perfect adventure for those who love dark atmospheres but don't like to get too scared.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 10
  3. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. Mikkikon
    Dec 7, 2022
    10
    A wonderful, emotionally engaging game that you will miss once it’s over. If you enjoyed Night in the Woods, you will surely love BeaconA wonderful, emotionally engaging game that you will miss once it’s over. If you enjoyed Night in the Woods, you will surely love Beacon Pines. The music, art, dialog, narration, and story are all top notch, and it’s just so dang cute. The branching paths are a really creative and clever way of revealing the story to the player and developing the characters by showing how they would react in different scenarios. I will admit I got teary eyed at more than one point. 10/10 my favorite game of the year.… Expand
  2. igor_apoy
    Oct 22, 2022
    10
    Personagens muito carismáticos, e muito bem aprofundados, tem uma historia q te agarra de jeito, com muitos plot twists, e um conceito dePersonagens muito carismáticos, e muito bem aprofundados, tem uma historia q te agarra de jeito, com muitos plot twists, e um conceito de "viajem no tempo" que eu nunca tinha visto antes, e que foi muito bem feito, arte simplesmente linda, e musica muito boa, um dos melhores jogos que ja joguei na minha vida… Expand
  4. btmgov
    Dec 3, 2022
    10
    One of the very best narrative adventure games you could invest in. In a genre that is becoming more and more crowded with sub-par efforts,One of the very best narrative adventure games you could invest in. In a genre that is becoming more and more crowded with sub-par efforts, this is a true gem. I give it a solid 9 in reality but scored it a ten on here to help offset the reviews of ignorant blowhards that love to post reviews without have any fact-based intelligence to back their moronic opinion (looking right at you, Nintendist)… Expand
  5. EXPsharePlus
    Dec 26, 2022
    9
    (Reviewed on Nintendo Switch)

    “A single word can change everything.” Developer Hiding Spot brings us Beacon Pines – an indie-adventure    (Reviewed on Nintendo Switch)

    “A single word can change everything.”

    Developer Hiding Spot brings us Beacon Pines – an indie-adventure game being marketed as a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. It’s Winnie-the-Pooh meets Twin Peaks.

    STORY

    You take control of both the reader of the book and Luka VanHorn, a young deer whose mother has mysteriously disappeared. Beacon Pines has had some strange occurrences around the town and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the townsfolk. Luka joins his friends on a journey to uncover the disappearance of his mother and the conspiracy that threatens Beacon Pine.

    GAMEPLAY

    Throughout the story, you collect Charms which are words that can be used at a Turning Point to influence the outcome of the story. I thought this gameplay mechanic was a unique and satisfying way to tell a narrative. It was exciting seeing how many different ways the story could end prematurely. At first I thought the replaying of chapters would feel tedious but as you go down the “wrong paths” you learn more and more about the town and the mysteries you’re trying to unravel. The game encourages exploration as the Charms can be hidden behind objects to interact with or unlocked through conversations with Beacon Pines’ locals.

    One of my favourite parts of Beacon Pines was the narrator. A narrator who can keep the reader engrossed throughout a story can be difficult to achieve, but Beacon Pines’ narrator delivered the story in a captivating way that kept me invested in the story and characters. The soundtrack was also brilliant and definitely fit the aesthetic of the game even during its wholesome and heart racing moments.

    THE VERDICT

    Beacon Pines is a wonderfully crafted adventure game with a twisted yet heartwarming story. The way the narrative is told is extremely captivating in a way I haven’t experienced before. I’m excited to see what Hiding Spot games are able to achieve if they keep expanding on this storybook-adventure genre that they’ve pioneered.

    9/10

    READ MORE REVIEWS AT EXPSHAREPLUS.COM    … Expand
  6. sbeausoleil
    Nov 12, 2022
    9
    I rarely finish the entire game. But this time I did. Also created an account on here to share my review. If you love games that are centeredI rarely finish the entire game. But this time I did. Also created an account on here to share my review. If you love games that are centered on the narrative, this game is for you.

    Beautiful imagery, unforgettable characters, full of mystery and so soooo much more. I loved every second of it.    … Expand
  7. Ramenmaster7000
    Feb 10, 2023
    9
    This is a cute gem to find. I had a lot of fun progressing through the game. One of the best story driven games I ever went through. My onlyThis is a cute gem to find. I had a lot of fun progressing through the game. One of the best story driven games I ever went through. My only complaint is that it ended so short. I can't complain much cause indie studios can only make so much. Well done! Kudos!… Expand
  8. Nintendist
    Oct 23, 2022
    0
    this game is terrible, the gameplay is so bad and the soundtrack is very annoying.

See all 10 User Reviews

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

28
#28 Best Switch Game of 2022
54
#54 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2022

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