LCB Game Studio and Chorus Worldwide are thrilled to announce the release of Varney Lake, the second visual novel in the Pixel Pulps series inspired by mid-20th century pulp fiction and 80s home computer graphics. The game is now available on PC and Mac via Steam, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch for $9.99.
In Varney Lake, players follow the story of paranormal investigator Lou Hill as he delves into the mysterious tale of a vampiric being that allegedly haunted Varney Lake in 1954. By solving puzzles and making key choices throughout the narrative, Lou will sift through hazy childhood memories to uncover the connection between these enigmatic sightings and the strange disappearance of one of the three witnesses. The game follows the first title in the Pixel Pulps universe, Mothmen 1966, and includes a demo for the third installment, Bahnsen Knights, which is filled with cults, cars, and climate catastrophes.
As players immerse themselves in the world of Varney Lake, they’ll navigate a choice-based gameplay experience that affects the branching interactive fiction. Investigate the surrounding wilderness, engage with a neighboring vampire harboring a mysterious wound, and handle tense situations by solving accessible puzzles. The dual-timeline story draws inspiration from novels with choices and branching narratives, inviting players to unravel the paranormal investigator’s hidden past and reveal the chilling truth behind Doug’s disappearance.
Upon completing Varney Lake, players can try the exclusive demo for Bahnsen Knights, the next upcoming Pixel Pulps title, set to launch on PC via Steam, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch in Q4 2023. Step into the shoes of undercover agent Boulder and track a doomsday cult as they perform ‘route exorcisms’ amid apocalyptic storms sweeping the nation. Uncover the reason behind Lou Hill’s entrapment in a trunk by the cult, as you delve into the unique narrative and visual style crafted by novelist Nico Saraintaris and artist Fernando Martinez Ruppel.
Chorus Worldwide’s founder and CEO, Shintaro Kanaoya, expressed excitement about the new direction in horror that the Pixel Pulps Anthology is taking, noting that the series masterfully combines terror, intrigue, and an apocalyptic atmosphere. Nico Saraintaris, writer and co-founder of LCB Game Studio, adds that the anthology enables the creators to explore their influences and love for horror, with each entry telling its own story while maintaining connections to the others.
Varney Lake, featuring support for English, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese languages, is available now on various platforms, including a demo for Bahnsen Knights, set for a full release in Q4 2023.
Platforms: PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
