Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 76 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 99% | 95 | 37 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | – | 0 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 100% | 97 | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 1 reviews sampled · 1 total reviews in window · weighted 1 up / 0 down · computed 4h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (19)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 75
“With all the modern innovations we've made in gaming and storytelling, to imagine going back to PC gaming in the '80s, an era defined by games shoehorning themselves onto devices made for anything other than gaming, made me initially hesitant. But the efforts of the artists at LCB Game Studio made Varney Lake simultaneously thrive in spite of and because of its limitations. The Pixel Pulps series is one to keep an eye on. I can't wait to see this world filled out and certainly wouldn't say no to more installments. If you're looking for some new ways to get your chills and enjoy dabbling in nostalgic pulpy horror, don't skip Varney Lake.”
read full review ↗ - 72
“Aside from some odd (and not always fun) distractions, this has an engaging (though pretty brief) story to take in”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Varney Lake tries to be a compelling thriller that obviously wants to keep its players guessing. The narrative lacked in its ability to keep me entertained and wanting to know what actually happened during that summer. What kept me interested was the way it looked, sounded and made me feel. It pulls off the "pixel" elements but very much fails to live up to the exciting, suspenseful narrative of the pulp fiction genre. If you're into game and audio design, or love the pixel artstyle , you may be able to forgive this, but if you're looking for a narrative that will have you clicking your mouse for more, best look elsewhere.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“More Interactive Pulp Fiction From The Best In The Biz”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The follow-up to Mothmen 1966 is another fascinating, spooky treat.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Varney Lake is a wonderful experience that combines visual novels with puzzles, heartwarming nostalgia with chilling terror, all in a classic pixel style.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Varney Lake is an interesting coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. The characters were all fun and the interactions between the children were great. If you have a couple of hours to spare, check this pixel pulp story out and learn what happened in the summer of 1954.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“The visuals have come a long way from the first entry while keeping the retro visuals intact, almost like going from an Oregon Trail vibe to something that could’ve realistically been released on the Super Nintendo”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Varney Lake is a great interactive story, presented in a way that’ll appeal to casual readers and tome-spelunkers alike. The story is interesting, the characters are great, and the modest $10 price tag reflects the game’s shorter run time.”
read full review ↗ - 83
“Varney Lake is another strong showing for LCB Game Studio. Any fan of horror or visual novels will enjoy this one.”
read full review ↗ - 63
“After about 2 hours when the credits come, you can only really judge whether Varney Lake has been worth it and the 10 Euro rolls out of your pocket or whether you give a lot for that money in return. As far as I'm concerned, the story is a lot more accessible and interesting than that of Mothmen and I think casual players will find this game better than its predecessor. Although there are references, you do not necessarily have to have played the first part. However, there are fewer options that really influence the story.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There’s connective tissue between LCB Game Studios’ games, so your experience with Varney Lake will be enhanced by having played Mothmen 1966 prior to it. It’s a short story video game that doesn’t take up your time, and is a great palate cleanser from other games you’re currently playing. I’m really excited for what’s in store next, and am enjoying how these play out. Varney Lake feels like PC adventure games of old, and will take you back to those summer or rainy nights of gaming, for a truly visual and aural treat of the senses.”
read full review ↗
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Patch history
- Update Notes for build 1.0.2May 28, 2023