Lost Lullabies: The Orphanage Chronicles – Kooperativni horor u sirotištu iz 1980. godine

• DEVELOPER: Pugsy Studios
• IZDAVAČ: Pugsy Studios
• PLATFORME: PC
• ŽANR: Cooperative / Horror
• DATUM IZLASKA: 7. ožujka 2025.
• POČETNA CIJENA: 10,79€
• RECENZIRANA VERZIJA: PC

Lost Lullabies: The Orphanage Chronicles is a cooperative horror game set in 1980, inspired by the tragic history of the fictional Lowell Orphanage, which was destroyed in a mysterious fire in 1960. Designed for 1-4 players, the game challenges you to investigate and exorcise vengeful spirits through first-person exploration, puzzle-solving, and ghost-hunting mechanics, similar to Phasmophobia. Currently, two of its four planned chapters are available, featuring both a story mode and online co-op.

Meet 18 Ghosts with Dark Stories

The core gameplay revolves around identifying one of 18 unique ghost types, each with distinct behaviors and tragic backstories linked to the orphanage’s dark history of child experimentation and abuse. You can use 24 different tools including basic ghost-hunting gear like thermometers and EMF readers, as well as role-specific items like crosses for the Exorcist to gather evidence during investigations.

Evidence collection is systematic: you must detect clues like freezing temperatures or spirit orbs, then cross-reference them to pinpoint the ghost type. Once identified, you solve a unique puzzle tied to the spirit’s past, such as finding a lost toy or decoding a letter to either banish malevolent ghosts or help peaceful ones move on. However, some puzzles do feel repetitive in the Early Access version due to limited variety.

The game truly shines in co-op, supporting up to four players as they work together to explore the orphanage, share equipment, and solve puzzles. Garage acts as a hub where teams strategize, trade items, and pick missions, creating a social atmosphere similar to Phasmophobia’s lobby. Additionally, voice chat adds immersion as ghosts react to certain phrases, which can trigger hidden events or provoke them, though the system can be inconsistent and lacks clear feedback.

Solo play is possible, focusing on a story mode following four friends investigating the orphanage in 1980. But, it feels less dynamic – the large map and heavy multitasking like juggling equipment while evading ghosts can be overwhelming. Ghost interactions also feel less responsive without human teammates, which means that the solo mode feels more like an afterthought.

Role-Specific Gear for Team Play

The orphanage is a detailed, multi-level environment featuring burnt hallways, cramped basements, and creepy dormitories. Clue locations and ghost spawn points shift each game, creating variety, but the main layout stays the same, which can make replays feel predictable. New areas unlock through story progress or mini-games, adding something new to exploration.

The large map do add the needed depth, but it can frustrate solo players with lengthy backtracking between objectives. Some areas are intentionally dark and tight, increasing tension and making navigation tricky without light sources. There’s also a shadowy NPC called the “Shady Dealer” that trades special trinkets which hint at hidden lore, though their purpose isn’t fully fleshed out in the current Early Access version.

While everyone shares basic equipment, role-specific gear encourages team variety in co-op. The 24 period-accurate tools such as vintage cameras and bulky radios fit the 1960s-80s setting perfectly. However, controls feel awkward at times, with slow animations and occasional bugs (like items failing to work). The simple economy lets you buy equipment with earned cash, but there’s little reason to grind beyond essential purchases.

Your sanity meter drops during ghost encounters or in darkness (similar to Phasmophobia). When low, you’ll experience hallucinations or face more aggressive spirits, for example, the Yurei drains sanity faster. While this adds tension, the system feels underdeveloped: effects become predictable, recovery options are limited, and it never becomes a central gameplay element. Horror relies on jump scares, creepy sounds, and ghost sightings, effective at first, but repetitive over time. The voice recognition feature, where ghosts react to speech, shows promise but often fails to respond properly.

Co-Op Fun, Rough Solo Experience

When it comes to the story mode, it follows four friends investigating the orphanage’s dark past, from its deadly 1960 fire to its supernatural aftermath. Currently, each chapter focuses on one of four ghosts, complete with unique puzzles and backstories. Sadly, the overall plot feels choppy, with little character development for the main group. Though randomization boosts replay value, the incomplete narrative leaves the Early Access experience feeling unfinished.

Ghost designs range from shadowy figures to disturbing child-like apparitions, each visually distinct enough to make encounters memorable. While the map’s dark, cramped spaces heighten tension, excessive dim lighting sometimes hides important clues. The four protagonists’ models feel basic and generic compared to the rich environments. Certain areas do justify the “stunning graphics” claim, however, repetitive textures in larger rooms and occasional low-res assets break immersion.

In the end, Lost Lullabies: The Orphanage Chronicles falls short of matching Phasmophobia’s depth, but it does introduce some fresh ideas. While not without merit, it lacks the long-term appeal to keep players hooked for extended playthroughs. The Early Access version shows potential but suffers from technical bugs, repetitive gameplay, and a weak solo mode. For now, it’s best suited for co-op fans who don’t mind rough edges.

Recenzentski primjerak ustupio izdavač

3.3