Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure game within a magical storybook. You play as both the reader of the book and its main character, Luka. Explore the town to find word charms. Use your charms to change the course of fate!
A cute and creepy adventure in a mysterious book, where you play both as the reader of the book and its protagonist. Luka is a young boy just trying to survive the summer, but something's afoot in Beacon Pines and he and his friends are the only ones taking notice. Sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and discover charms that can change the course of fate!
Overwhelmingly Positive
4,185 Steam reviews
| LANGUAGE | AUDIO | SUBTITLES | INTERFACE |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | Y | Y | Y |
Nice little game, builds up nicely and has suspense. Style is nice, story is decent, music is great.
Unfortunately the ending is not as strong as the rest of the game. It felt a bit rushed to me, I would think it has more potential.
A cute game on the surface with some darker undertones. I really enjoyed this and it kept me captivated throughout. Definitely one for the gamers that enjoy a narrative.
So far my favorite game of 2026
美術好看，角色可愛，劇情複雜度大概是小學程度，打倒壞人就圓滿。
遊戲進程乍看有支線其實很單一，而且無法避免跳來跳去，最後我其實不知道我到底是循著哪一條路線走到結局的。
I don't think this game is for me. I think this would be more appreciated by a much younger audience? I don't know.
Also, it says that you can make your choices and change the narrative through it, but it didn't feel that way. It's more like they will guide you until you arrive to the right ending.
For the most part, I was just roaming around inspecting everything to collect charms. The story didn't make me feel invested at all.
Geninely something about the way this game allows you to experience all options in this choose-your-own-adventure vibe tickles my completionist brain.
Story is pretty good, art style is adorable, overall... if you have FOMO like me, very good choice.
Beacon Pines — это атмосферная приключенческая игра, сочетающая элементы детективного расследования и визуального романа, вдохновленная странностями мира "Твин Пикс". Игроки управляют юным героем по имени Лука, который исследует загадочный город и его темные тайны, принимая решения, влияющие на ход сюжета и развязку. Уникальная механика "собирания" фраз позволяет изменять события придавая игре многослойность.
Good little game with charming art style and characters.
看起来平平无奇但素蛮好玩的！剧情很不错，玩法就是在游戏过程中会解锁一些词汇，然后可以把词汇填进书里的空格形成不同的句子，这些句子会导向不同的结局。在sd上玩的显得里面的角色更加萌萌嘟，而且beck有两个mom，非常好！
It's hard to write a review when the only things you can say are good.
But what can I tell, I'm just human and there is nothing bad to say about this.
Every teeny tiny bit of this game... this story is great-
The art and fitting music and the storytelling is great. It reminds me of the choose your own adventure books I read as a kid, where you flip to different pages depending on what you choose, just to find out that there is only one route to close the book.
I really, and I must emphasize, really enjoyed the characters. This writing and design was so awesome. I rarely see such emotionally open and humane characters these days. There are good stories and good characters, but this game just shows me that there are other people like me who understand that there is no need for these awkward social structures people lay upon children. I hope others also see this and understand what these words mean. Seeing such an emotionally open friendship was heart-warming.
But enough rambling. This game is awesome and everyone should enjoy this!
I think this game is something everyone can relate with at least on some bits.
And I think the devs have something in their pocket to build upon. At least I really hope there will be more. Not just games, but more from this universe. There is so much potential!! I don't want to say that much - Just find out yourself!
Visual novel with really beautiful and cute drawings and a gripping story - I would've liked if decisions would've made a lasting difference (you have to revisit all of them at some point to complete the ending) and if the other ending wasn't just a "To Be Continued in Beacon Pines II". But for someone who usually isn't the biggest fan of visual novels I really enjoyed playing it. And I definitely admire the art style!
So I guess for fans of beautifully made visual novels, gripping Stranger Things like stories and more of a cozy game play I can really recommend it!
This is about as creepy as I can handle. I bought it on a whim and I was so so pleased. This is a solid choices matter game. Yes, they use the game-over mechanic, but that would only piss you off if you AREN'T enthralled by the story telling.
I guess those who enjoyed it have strong imaginations (or..ruminations). It honestly made me sick but I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. Up til 3 am spooked, heart rate up during optimal season to play (fall ofc). Fall asleep wondering what's *really* going on, here..? I'm about to break my keyboard from adrenaline. Might even throw up. I just waterfalled a 12 oz ice coffee and I'm caffeine sensitive.
Uh oh. Idk if I can finish this revi---
A charming little mystery-adventure game styled like a Choose Your Own Adventure book. As summer dawns on the small, titular mountain town, a trio of young friends stumble upon a dangerous conspiracy that could spell the end of everything.
As you explore the town and progress through the story, you'll find certain keywords called "charms" that can be inserted in the storybook at crucial checkpoints to change how the plot unfolds. But this isn't like other games with branching story paths intended to be experienced on separate playthroughs. Here, you can freely revisit any checkpoint to try a different charm and take the story in a different direction. Almost all of them lead to bad or anticlimactic endings, but in order to experience the full story and find the charms leading to the best ending, you'll need to play through pretty much all of them.
Filled with gorgeous storybook art, a fun cast of characters, plenty of humorous and heartfelt moments, and some wild twists and turns, [i]Beacon Pines[/i] is definitely worth checking out.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go [chill] / [ponder] / [hide] some more.
Great little story game with an intriguing mystery and unique branching story mechanics that you will want to see through to the end. Would recommend.
Невероятная игра, сочетающая в себе и пушистый уют, и взрослые темы, и заговоры, и повороты сюжета, и всё это во множестве развилок, которые здесь являют собой сюжетную необходимость. Вы не сможете сразу взять и пройти игру, каждый раз вы будете натыкаться на разные концовки, чтобы понемногу, по разным веточкам, через другие варианты диалогов или действия, двигать сюжет вперёд и раскрывать тайны этого городка с разных сторон.
Я играл на русском (за русификатор спасибо pol4rcat, можно скачать у него на бусти за небольшую денежку), текст тоже написан прекрасно и литературно. Думаю, в оригинале так же, потому что в других отзывах пишут, что английский в игре сложноватый. До этого игра у меня лежала года два в желаемом, наконец-то я смог к ней приобщиться, и не пожалел)
Единственное, что лично для меня было чуть утомительным, это держать в голове все цепочки событий, чтобы помнить, в какой именно сценарный момент ты возвращаешься. Плюс, игра не даёт отдохнуть из-за плотности событий, и, хоть она относительно короткая, прошёл я её за три захода. В остальном же это просто прекрасная вещь, советую всем.
I liked it. the branching is cool and finding the charms was fun
An endearing adventure about a naïve boy who learns new words, makes friends, and deals with unspeakable horrors.
I could see the "cute & cozy" immediately, but I was not expecting that last part, or at any rate, not at that intensity... Although, to be clear, this is not a "horror game"; it's only got some dark, somber, [i]mostly described through text[/i], situations here and there.
[h3]Presentation[/h3]
The art is superb; the presentation is well rounded, and mixes together seamlessly. Everything is colourful, from the characters, to the areas, to the pastel sky background that indicates the time of day. There is a neat attention to detail that helps create this sense of togetherness without needing to be paid attention to, like the soft animations of the trees, or how open areas fade into the background, while the indoors have solid shapes.
The soundtrack follows along just right, with enough variety to fit the different tones the narrative takes.
There is also some voice acting, limited to the narrator alone. She brought just the right energy in for the game; it really felt like everyone who worked on it was on the same page, direction-wise.
[h3]Gameplay[/h3]
The core concept is the different choices Luka can make to deal with the situations he finds himself in, that get increasingly stranger.
I really like this idea, which basically makes this a time-travel story where the characters are unable to retain information from it. Also, because I'm a completionist and have got an imperious desire to know every little turn a story can take, it's very refreshing to play one that not only makes it impossible to miss any of these narrative shifts, but actually integrate them in its gameplay.
This also makes exposition feel a lot less clunky, since characters are not going through several info dumps in a row; they're doing it over different stories, for different reasons. Suddenly, the important topics feel like they are brought up organically and by the context, rather than out of necessity.
From a mechanical standpoint, the game is linear, as some stories need to play out to their conclusion so others can be unlocked afterwards, but the scenarios are structured in an interesting way that the game presents front and center: Luka's possibilities are not a road with some wrong turns, they form a blossoming tree that grows in unexpected ways.
Despite it being possible to switch to another Turning Point whenever the player wants to, it's also discouraged by the way the game progresses; you can't save, load a previous chapter to refresh your memory, and go back where you left off. At the same time, since stories usually reach their conclusion quickly, you never really feel the need to go back... But, unless you play through the game in one sitting, you might end up having a hard time remembering what happened when, and because of what.
[h3]Writing & Narrative[/h3]
The writing was really cute, just like the rest of the game. The main trio is a well-known mix of archetypes, but they were enjoyable nonetheless. It's got a simple, light-hearted sense of humour, but also an earnestness about the difficulty of relationships with friends and family, and the drive to get really weird and intense as well; and the tone shifts can get extremely dramatic at times, but not in a way that I found to be ridiculous or fabricated; rather, in a "well, I didn't expect [b]that[/b] to happen in what appears to be a children's game", way.
The narrative is the same, and split between personal drama, horror stings, and the overarching intrigue.
I found the personal & horror aspects to be the most well realised. It also helps that these two blended so seamlessly, the first times really caught me by surprise; usually you have to wait at least two days before your secret trip to the abandoned, leaking, boarded up warehouse that's surrounded with dying trees, takes [i]a wrong turn[/i].
The mystery/investigation part was interesting, but it takes a back seat during the first half of the game; but in the latter, every story is about the grander plot. This sounds really obvious put like this, but there is an undefined moment where the relevations start ramming into you at the speed of light, and they just [b]don't stop[/b]. There was a point where it got a little silly, like the writing team could not figure out what sort of storytelling twists they wanted to use, then shrugged, and said "let's put them all in".
In the end I thought everything was neatly tied together with a little bow, but at the same time, you could have achieved the same result with just a little less gasp-moments -- also not helped by the fact that, in universe, [b]all this[/b] takes place over a few days only.
To me, the moments of strong emotions were the highlights. It's a short game made up of short stories, but the characters feel relatable, and are easy to sympathize with very quickly. And when chapters reach their insane conclusions, you really feel for Luka, who's acting brave, but is still a child with a child's sensibility; and some of the choices he had to make, I had really not seen coming.
[h3]Refinements[/h3]
These are some QoL improvements that would run in circles in my head while playing the game, sorted by importance:
[olist]
[*][b]Display the name of the character who is speaking[/b].
→ It was honestly difficult to remember who was who, even after playing through the whole game; it's a small town, but it's filled with people, and names keep coming at you, including those of people you [b]never met[/b]. Just being reminded of who it is Luka is currently talking to would help tremendously; especially when specific american nicknaming conventions come into play (I was [i]thoroughly[/i] confused when a character's name suddenly was something else).
[*][b]Text history[/b].
→ Another simple tool, but a welcome (mandatory?) one in a text-based game.
[*][b]Current chapter[/b].
→ This is linked to the previous one; since the game gives you the possibility to shuffle between timelines any time you want, it'd be nice to actually see which one Luka is in right now. The shifts get increasingly abrupt, and you're left wondering "what was on the previous page again..?" when things get more and more intense. Having a menu to see the last page of the book would help following along.
[*][b]Auto-advance[/b].
→ This one also feels needed in this sort of game, but I also think it would help the writing lands where it wants to. There is a rythmn to it that can be felt at times; so why not make the rythmn a tool of the game itself?
[*][b]Roll or Dash[/b].
→ Not as important to me as the others, but there are only a few locations in the game, so Luka being able to work on his cardio between story moments by going a little faster than his usual skipping, would be nice.
[/olist]
I also felt like sheets of characters & locations would be nice, with a bit of lore to ground things; but the game is not as deep, and by the end it wants to have answered all possible questions, so it could be considered superfluous at that point. I also got the artbook, which basically served that purpose. If people really want to have more of the cute artwork, but with descriptions attached to it (like I did), there is an option for that.
[hr][/hr]
All in all, this was a funny, earnest, charming story! I was not expecting to give this much thought to a small game, but it really clicked for me. It can be a bit rough around the edges, but that did not prevent me from enjoying it.
Visual Novels often feel stale by definition, and redeemed by the quality of their content; but I think Beacon Pines was satisfying both as a story, and an interactive game.
просто охуеннейшие 8 часов, прекраснейшая механика с разными ветками истории и возможностью реально бегать по миру и общаться с кем хочешь, забавные мини игры. А главное ОХУЕННЕЙШИЙ СЮЖЕТ, все 9 часов просто не отлипнуть от моника. Немножко слезки текли иногда в некоторых моментах, в конце я реально заплакала. Очень живые классные персонажи, я как будто реально с ними историю прожила или с рассказчицей всю её книгу прочитала. Короче всем советую это ♥♥♥♥♥♥ годно.
Premise is great. Characters are great. Issue is the entire story hinges around how choices can change the path ahead of us, but there are barely any choices that bridge into two choices, rather than a facade of a choice that is "Pick the game over or the right choice!" While I was playing it, it was great. But a sudden ending and me realizing the lack of choices, while also realizing I spent the same price for a four hour experience that I spent on the entireity of Danganronpa, which was not only better, but was an 80 hour experience, it makes the game feel very underwhelming. If you want to spend whatever price for a 4 hour good experience, I recommend. If not, I'd avoid.
♥♥♥♥ you I cried for 5 hours
Świetna cute gierka z intrygującą fabułą
I cried
I really Love this game and I had my friends VA and they made me cry even more
Please Play this game
am I a big baby? Yes
Did I yell at my Screen yes!
Did the Twists and turns get me and I was engaged
ABSOLUTLY <3
fun lil story choice game and I loved the art :3
Cozy and Fun, reminiscent of Between the Lions. Captivating and wholesome at the same time
Very fun game! Cute, spooky, and just a bit tragic.
It's cute. The story confused me at times. And I did not like the narrator crying.
Such a wonderful game! A really unique and creative concept, with an adorable art style on top of that. This game is absolutely perfect for any of my fellow bookish lovers, or just cozy mystery fans in general, too!
Very interesting and unique! a hidden gem.
So cute <3 I love the animation and all the characters are AMAZING!! I've always loved choices matter games, but hated having to replay everything just to get to the specific spot and change options. This completely eliminates that and lets you restart right at the fork in the road. 10/10 might be my favourite cozy game I've ever played
玩法有趣，美术优秀，角色塑造不错，多结局分支内容也不会重复又补充了世界观，值得一玩
猫猫Beck好酷，Valentine一家都好好看，立绘画的很生动，喜欢！！
Great narration and story! 8/10
Jeu très mimi. Court mais émouvant. On se laisse prendre par l'histoire. Moi qui ai tendance à sauter les dialogues habituellement, là, j'ai bien tout lu ! Superbe aventure.
This was such a nice story and a great way to keep you involve with charms to move the plot forward. Recommend if you want a cozy mystery.
故事听不错的，分支很多，需要多次走分支才能看到全部故事和完美结局！！！做的挺不错的！！
Best game I've played in years. Really unexpected mystery, with a rollercoaster of feelings. I want to see more games like this!! <3
I absolutely adore this game , I love the style , the story does its job of evoking emotion perfectly . It is genuinely investing and myself and my partner were constantly hooked onto each part as we played through . I would recommend this game to absolutely anyone I can . The gameplay is incredible unique , the storyline captivating , the characters amazingly well written . This game is a 100 / 10 for me . I love it . Would play it again and again and again .
A visual novel with a unique blend of tragedy, horror, and colorful art. It's short, but the length it has gives way to great artwork and storytelling. And the music is good to boot.
3.5/5
If you like Animal Crossing and Choose Your Own Adventure books, I think you will like this game. :)
I feel like I need to play through again using all the "right" answers so I know how the true ending progressed. Part of me would prefer to start over each time, but I am glad to have the option to not have to do that! Since you're collecting words to use during the course of reading the book, there is a bit of a back and forth which could get a little confusing. Unlike a Choose Your Own Adventure book, you can't choose the "true" path in the beginning because all the options are not available to you. I am very glad the devs put a checkmark next to the options you've already chosen to help with the branches.
I enjoyed this visual novel game. It has cute animal characters and an interesting story. I recommend.
I've never played a visual novel game before. It's never struck me as something I'd like. I won a copy of this game during a Twitch stream and decided I'd try it out. Honestly it was a really fun experience and might have convinced me to try a genre of game I'd been avoiding.
i followed devlopment for this game and, regrettably, didn't buy it even despite being so excited for it. what was i thinking??? 4 years later and this game has hit me so hard in so many ways that it kind of makes me feel oddly satisfied that it's come up again at a point of my life where i can appreciate it at its fullest.
whatever i was expecting going into this was far smaller than what i was given. i thought a small mystery with cute characters and amazing art. instead i got a grand, multi-linear story with unique mechanics that had me invested from the very first charm discovery, and so eager to unlock every possible outcome. the plot was incredible, the mystery genuinely had me thinking and guessing, and the way it all fell into place across the multiple pathways was so incredibly satisfying.
the characters are the heart and soul of this game, though. i expected to get attached to the main three of course, but what i didn't expect was to be running around and searching for every individual townsperson by the epilogue so i could say my last goodbye to them. the designs, the 'voices', the dialogue, their stories and unique characteristics, everyone truly felt like a character with a place in this world. bert became someone i would always be excited to interact with. i'd always check the coffee shop to see what lumi was complaining about this time. and don't get me started on iggy (guess how much i cried). but god, the main three are truly something so special. i mean they're the grab factor of the game on the cover, but nothing prepared me for just how much i would love their personalities and interactions with one another. rolo creating a whole scavenger hunt across town just to apologise to luka over a fight is a gesture that solidified my love for their friendship. beck is an incredible character with so much attitude and such great dialogue, its so easy to create an 'edgy' sort of character and have them come off as too much at times, but beck was loveable through and through. luka was a perfect protagonist and his kindness towards others made me love everyone even more. i could go on and on. heiress and ilona's designs were my favourite. mr kerr was a wonderful character. i should stop before i DO go on and on
this game is jam packed with heart and soul in every aspect. the silly animations, the painted backgrounds, the expertly composed music (sacrifice? lullaby? ok i'll just turn them on if i ever want to INSTANTLY CRY). it hooks you in with amazing characters & art and keeps you invested with their sweet friendships, interesting plot twists that genuinely got me off guard, sound design that truly immerses you, mechanics that are interesting and a narrator with phenomenal voice acting.
i'm not usually one for serious reviews - everyone who knows me always hears enough from my word of mouth - but this game is one deserving of praise. and if this review could convince even a single person to buy this game, it would have been worth every second.
don't be like me. don't wait. play it now. it will hit you in ways you don't expect
p.s. iggy is the best character & his story line will stick with me forever
Luka decided to be a little bit naughty
I love this game sm
I loved the story and how versatile it is, keeps you locked in. The story isn't too long which I liked but maybe some could see it as in a minus point. But definitely recommend this for chill and relaxing gaming session with a little spooky moments.
Tarina vie mennessään, pelasin yhdeltä istumalta lopuun
i will admit, this is a 10/10 story game. the elements in it is outstanding it made me cry T.T Good job!
A unique take on the visual novel genre, it was fun playing around with the Charms to make more choices along the story. The characters and story were written well, they all had interesting characterization and growth. When different pieces of the whole mystery began falling into place it did hook me pretty well. My favorite aspect though has to be the quality and variety of art involved in the game, from the backdrops, detailed character portraits, the charms, and the book art. All of it feels crafted with effort and care.
I love the visuals and story, it's a quick read through which is a huge plus for me. The ending is a bit disappointing with some not well though out loose ends, but the overall package is still pretty charming.
Wow! Thought this game was just a click and play game. But the story is so deep and the game mechanic has a twist that I eally enjoy! Not a long game, but you don´t need it longer. Now I´ll hope they do a new game that is with the same atmosphere. A Must play game!
After finishing Night in the Woods I never thought I'd find a game to give me the same feeling. I was wrong. This was such a unique story in a format I have never seen before. All the different endings and experiences you get to go through, it shows you that happily ever afters aren't easy. I can't recommend this game enough, it is absolutely worth it.
Loved the art style and game mechanics. Great story that kept me intrigued the whole time.
Love it! So original, i was hook on it all day.
Videogames are the interactive books one imagines less...
...so that instead one experiences them more themselves.
Beautiful, emotional, cheesy, amusing, heartwarming, cozy,...
...and so much more one could ever ask for.
Storytelling at its delightful finest.
sssssssssssss
«О, привет! Кажется, ты перевернул страницу именно там, где нужно. Присядь поудобнее, только не наткнись на еловую шишку. В городке Beacon Pines всё выглядит… милым. Но ты ведь знаешь, как это бывает? За идеальным фасадом всегда прячется что-то склизкое и холодное».
Beacon Pines — это не просто история, это Книга, и ты в ней — главный читатель (и немножко соучастник). Мы следуем за Лукой Ванхорном, храбрым олененком в уютном свитере, чей мир начал трещать по швам после исчезновения мамы и странных событий на старом складе.
Сила слова (буквально!)
Здесь ты не просто ходишь и болтаешь. Ты собираешь Золотые жетоны — особые слова, которые могут полностью изменить ход сюжета. Чувствуешь, что ситуация зашла в тупик? Просто используй слово «Прятаться» вместо «Сражаться» в Хрониках, и — пуф! — реальность переписывается.
Уютный кошмар
Визуал здесь такой, будто кто-то оживил иллюстрации из старой сказки. Но не дай этим мягким текстурам обмануть себя. За следующим поворотом тебя может ждать как верный друг Ролло, так и… нечто, от чего шерсть встает дыбом. Это как если бы «Очень странные дела» смешали с «Винни-Пухом», добавив щепотку теории заговора.
Хроники судьбы
Самое прекрасное — это ветвление. Тебе не нужно переигрывать всё заново, чтобы увидеть «а что, если?». Ты просто возвращаешься к Древу Судьбы и пробуешь новое слово. Иногда это ведет к счастливому финалу, а иногда — к очень быстрому и не очень приятному концу. Но эй, это же всё ради науки, верно?
Итог:
Это короткое, но чертовски атмосферное приключение о дружбе, тайнах и о том, что даже самый маленький зверек может раскрыть большой секрет. Если ты любишь тайны и запах старой бумаги — добро пожаловать домой.
This is honestly one of the best games I've played in a while, mostly because there have been too many backlog games I've been trying to get through that haven't been up to par. This one kept me engaged throughout and I could not put it down until I finished it. I enjoyed the art, the story, the relaxing elements of it. I enjoyed the storybook feel, and I enjoyed that I could go back to certain parts of the story to see all the different outcomes without worrying that I was going to miss anything.
This game might not be for everyone. It feels like a mystery/detective/mild horror type game, but if you don't enjoy railroading, you might not feel like it offers enough to keep you invested.
I was here for the vibes and the illusion of choice without the stress of actually being worried about making a wrong choice.
It's a nice and easy game to 100% in a day or two, depending on how long you can sit down to play. I needed something to finish and feel good about, and this game did that for me.
I did get emotional for some parts, but if you don't enjoy certain tropes or cliches, the story might fall flat for some people. I enjoyed it, though I guess my biggest complaint is I wish there were more. I want to see more of the consequences for the "wrong" story branches, and I'd like the possibility of a sequel or DLC that opens up more possibilities or things to uncover.
Very cute, interactive, quirky, heart warming, enjoyable visual novel with great story telling. I loved how the story was told and read with a voice over, it really brought everything to life and made me feel engaged with the details of the characters and events. It was cool how the story went into so many different directions and endings depending on the choices. Loved the mini game as well!
+ Cute characters
+ Mystery unravels at a fairly good clip
+ Branching mechanic is interesting
- Ending feels rushed
- Some plot beats are never resolved
I'm going to give this a positive review, because overall I did enjoy it! What "cozy horror" means is apparently lightly spooky horror with wacky shenanigans that never go too far. Beacon Pines uses a collection of familiar if campy tropes that wouldn't be out of place in a Sunday morning cartoon, like evil green goo and spooky people in mysterious hazmat suits. Luckily, the game doesn't get overly ambitious with its storytelling. It wraps itself up fairly quickly and paces its mystery well, revealing small bits and pieces across the different branching timelines.
The narrative branching has a cool mechanic in which you collect "charms," which are essentially words related to something you do or hear which you can then direrctly insert into the story to change it during important "turning points." Refreshingly, the game lets you loop back to those specific point easily whenever you'd like and shows you exactly where you have the option to make new decisions with any charms you've collected. You're never stumped, and you don't even really repeat much of the story when looping back due to how drastically the narrative branches at each point. There's only one true/happy ending, but the plethora of bad endings are fully fleshed out, actually advance the plot, and are fun to collect, which I can't say of all visual novels.
I was, however, a little frustrated by how some plot threads felt like they were dropped or unresolved, including one timeline that ends abruptly right as it's getting interesting, with a literal "to be continued," which the narrator snarks about before forcing you to go back to make different choices. Who that character is, and the mission they hint at, was never mentioned again that I saw. There were also times when the game felt like it was expecting to make an emotional impact but missed the mark, including its ending, which came far too abruptly for my liking. Overall, the writing is solid, but I wouldn't call it strong.
That said, the characters, while equally tropy as the plot, are endearing enough to want to spend some time with. Luka is The Protagonist and it shows, but he handles his oodles of tragic backstory with grace; Rolo fills the role of the comic relief character who more or less serves as a sidekick; and Beck is the new girl in town who's too cool for the place but secretly wishes she could make a few friends and put down roots. Together, the three of them form a good core trio for getting up to mischief and solving crimes. I'm not immune to silly stories about groups of friends going on adventures, even if the adventure itself is ultimately a little humdrum.
I would recommend this specifically for older children, despite some of the mildly gory horror elements, both because the protagonists are kids themselves, and because kids are more likely to buy into the story. For the rest of us it's a pleasant evening's distraction if you're willing to suspend disbelief and lean into the 90's kids' media vibes. Otherwise, if you want the grownup version of groups of friends solving small-town mysteries, there's always Night in the Woods.
TL;DR: This is more or less a visual novel with some nice quality of life mechanics and the soul of a spooky children's cartoon. That may or may not be your cup of tea, but I had a nice enough time with it to recommend it.
<3
It's good! Let there be no argument: it's good. Okay? It's good.
But it's unfinished. And sadly, the parts of it that are unfinished are the hardest-hitting, most emotional, most important parts of the narrative. At these times, the screen goes black and you're just reading text or having it read to you. The voice actor does her best with these sections but she's not good enough at her craft to elevate the material when important parts of the material just aren't there thanks to that black screen. These sections come off as placeholders intended to be finished that now probably never will be.
And let's be completely clear: those *are* the most important parts of the narrative. Understanding the nature of the relationship between Luka and his parents is the CORE of this story and the vast majority of this story is told in front of a black screen. It's a major blemish on the game.
Beyond that, the game is pretty short particularly given its price. I recommend it, but only if you can get it at a substantial discount during a Steam sale, and only if you go in knowing that the game drops the visual medium at key, core points of the story. Try to imagine Bioshock Infinite with all of the cutscenes with Elizabeth just showing black screens and a description of what's happening read to you. That's the level of miss here. It's good. But it's not the enduring classic it should have been. 7.5/10.
To say the game is good will be an understatement. The art, the music even the story was great. Its lew worth the price for a game that can keep your interest until the very end.
Очень уютная и приятная история. Отличные персонажи, почти до самого конца следишь за тайнами этого странного города и пытаешься в них разобраться. Ну и визуал отличный, разве что полной озвучки не хватает.
The OSTs are just chef's kiss.
Overall: 96.7/100
Summary: You read a book, move a character, and make choices to help the story unfold. The story is a nice mix of heartwarming, funny, thrilling, mysterious, and scary. It doesn’t take too long and it’s a great story.
Audience
Beginner or casual gamer, looking for a story, not a challenge.
Visuals
9/10 Cartoon-ish style, very cute, and well-done, but nothing fancy.
Audio
9/10 Good, catchy music that sets the tone depending on the story unfolding. The narrator also has a lovely voice, but a bit over exaggerated at some points.
User-friendly HUD and In-Game Menus
10/10 Extremely straightforward
Controls / Settings Customizability
9/10 Very few options but also there’s not much that you would/could want to change.
Game mechanics Easy to Learn
10/10 Extremely straightforward
Game mechanics Easy to Use
10/10 Streamlined
Difficulty of Gameplay
10/10 It’s not difficult due to the story-like nature of the game.
Bugs
10/10 I didn’t find any.
Story
10/10 Interesting, engaging, emotionally moving, a bit mysterious and creepy. sometimes funny and heartwarming. It created all the feelings. And the endings were shocking.
Interest and Excitement
10/10 Highly engaging.
Grinding
10/10 There’s no resources so no grinding but you’ll have to go back and redo some things if you want 100% achievements.
Price / Quality
9/10 It’s a wonderful game so it’s hard to say that it’s not worth the full price, but due to how short it is, I’d wait for a sale.
Exploitability
None that I noticed
In-Game Choices Matter
Choices matter but you can remake them (and should to see all the possible endings).
Replay-ability
You’ll have to sort of replay to get to the end. The story branches.
Game time / Length
5-10 hours for main story
6-12 hours to 100%
1 hour of replay
Eh bah, c'étais très sympa et original. J'étais pas prêt. Merci au développeur.
Не всегда выпадает возможность почитать столь приятное произведение, но Beacon Pines - явно одно из таких.
Персонажи здесь просто великолепны. Каждый из них уникален, ведёт себя по-своему, каждого интересно изучить и послушать. Один только Роло чего стоит, своей харизмой, юмором и позитивно-глупым отношением к жизни он чуть ли не в соло делает эту игру прекрасной. Ещё мне очень понравился Игги, это не просто злой мальчик, каким он может показаться сначала. Его мотивация - зависть, нехватка любви и внимания, желание быть таким же, как и остальные.
Визуал очень привлекательный. Крайне подходящий стиль для такой игры. Аватары персонажей хочется рассматривать детально. Вдобавок ко всему, аватары персонажей соответствуют их типам личностей. Гиена - хитрый, лживый; доберман - зловещий и т.д.
История достаточно крепко вовлекает читателя. Мне не было скучно (как то иногда бывает), игра постоянно подогревает интерес игрока, давая новые детали лора. То, что начинается как обычная прогулка с другом, медленно перерастает в раскрытие тайн, порой, с ужасными подробностями.
Мини-игры понравились, в частности, помощь в кафе. Но хотелось бы, чтобы такого контента было побольше.
Упоминая минусы (СПОЙЛЕРЫ!):
- Личная претензия: голос у рассказчицы приятный, но играл я в наушниках и с высокой громкостью и часто было слышно, как рассказчица "чавкает" и "хлюпает" при проговаривании слов. Очень неприятно. Из-за этого поставил громкость голоса рассказчицы почти на минимум.
- [spoiler] Да, сюжет крутой, но не могу не заметить, что после середины игры, по моим ощущениям, игра словно ускоряется, словно разработчики торопят тебя побыстрее заканчивать её. Из-за этого повествование словно рвётся. [/spoiler]
- [spoiler] Механика "древа выборов" выглядела очень интересно и перспективно. Но игра в итоге линейна, то есть, твои выборы не особо роляют, ведь в итоге игра выведет тебя на одну концовку. Очень жаль, что разработчики упустили потенциал такой механики, ведь можно было сделать хотя бы 3-4 "каноничных" концовки и множество разных независимых выборов. Но это даже не минус толком. Просто убрать эту механику - ничего не изменится. [/spoiler]
Вывод: игра того стоит, несмотря на незначительные грехи. Вовлекает легко, быстро, особенно если любите читать. Заставила много раз смеяться, разок всплакнуть. 9 из 10.
A short and beautiful narrative game.
It remind me a lot of Radiant Historia and how you go jumping between the different routes to unlock yourself from the dead ends you will keep finding. The story knows how to reveal its mysteries at the right moments, so when you jump to another route, you start to see things in a different way, this also leads to you being able to guess a few of the plot twists before they are revealed and feel smart, ha ha.
I think the identity of a character was left in total mystery, as their role was mostly explain the real backstory of the town, so not sure what to think about them. For the rest, the characters are charming and full of personality and the story keeps you engaged.
If you need something short and chill to enjoy between more demanding games (like soulslikes), Beacon Pines is a great choice.
better than ET for the atari
utterly delightful. I don't 100% games often but this one was super manageable for me as a player that focuses more on story than other facets. if the devs put out more story, I'd follow down those branches as well.
The way the story is painted is truly one of a kind and something I am glad I had the pleasure of knowing. The atmosphere is done perfectly and I felt like I was in a story book come to life. Its also one of the few games that have managed to bring a tear to my eye. If your going to play it i recommend doing so by making sure you have a large amount of time that you can go uninterrupted and to turn off the lights to be entirely immersed in the story.
A fun visual novel with interesting characters, catchy music, and a captivating mystery. A bit of a slow start, but before you know it you’ll start asking questions and looking for answers. The writing is fantastic and the art is amazing. Long enough to justify the price and an easy recommendation to others.
Beacon Pines is an excellent what if/alternate universe story with wonderful narration that doesn't overstay its welcome. If this style of game is of interest, then a 98% positive review score should tell you what you need.
po prostu kocham
Beacon Pines is gorgeous.
The characters are super charming, and the art style makes everything look beautiful and inviting. The story is clever, full of twists, and honestly addictive. Each new layer of the story reveals something that makes you want to dig deeper and keep going. Dive in and enjoy the ride — Our harvest awaits!
It was alright. Cute, short, easy to 100% I figured there was a modern audience slop and there was but nothing to jarring. Buy it on sale, played great on the deck.
Очень милый фуришный квест с выбором действиями, который влияет на сюжет, в результате таких выборов он ветвится. Проходится на одном дыхании, без особого знания английского и так все понятно.
Великолепная рисовка и озвучка, за девочку летучую мышь отдельный респект.
В основном претензии к игре, что игра могла быть больше и лучше
Деревце могло быть поветвистей, многие ветки имеют явный намек на продолжение, но обрываются, либо не подведены к нужному выбору, соответственно и концовок маловато.
часть локация так и не получится посетить, например в ратушу, а казалось бы.
У части значимых персонажей нет аватарок, персонажей в игре и так не шибком много.
В игре имеет место быть повестка, которая ну вот вообще не мешает игре, но лучше бы ее не было, она как костыль.
Pretty good visual novel based on the mystery, with surprisingly fluid gameplay based on the timelines
Beautiful game! Great story & amazing voice acting. Fully delivers on its promise.
This game was *chefs kiss*. Although short, it was packed with dialogue and insane storytelling. The narrating they chose was honestly, by far, the most enjoyable thing i've seen and heard in any visual novel I have played. The game is super cosy, with a sprinkle of horror. Slow and steady at the start and picks up quite fast from there. All in all it was super enjoyable. Charming and heartwarming characters, the art styles is beautiful, the music is incredible. The story was deeply compelling to me.
This is one of those games that you really have to experience for yourself to see how special it is. It's short and sweet. It's a nice introduction to visual novels if you were ever intrested in that genre. I got the game on special and I would recommed you do so too for how short it is. But it's still worth picking up at some point ! Go on now, Our harvest awaits !
A great game! Cute, and the story is intruiging -- It kept my attention 100% of the way through, and as a person with ADHD that's an achievement lmao.
Buyer beware though!! I only got around 5-6 hours out of the game!
It, granted, was a very fun and nice 5-6 hours, but.... well, it's just 5-6 hours.
This is a story... about change. It takes you along for a ride and drops you off in a completely different place. Strange, but familiar.
Great 10/10
I really liked the game. It feels somewhat like a Bastion inspired Choose your own adventure story. The narrator is great the story is enjoyable. The pacing is a bit off. Slow at the beginning and really picking up towards the end. I liked the branching path system. I can not recommend it to everyone. I would recommend it to people who like visual novels. and mystery stories. Otherwise I would think about it or get it on a discount.
Score: 7/9
Visual novel très sympa. Personnages très attachants. Histoire sympatique et suffisamment prenante pour avoir envie de checker toutes les routes.
A cute and put-together primary school kids saving the world kind of story
Hands down the best story game I've ever played (although arguably, I haven't played many). It instantly drew me in and I found it equal parts moving and ridiculous. I think it's great that they visualized the branching of the narrative through actual tree branches and that you can easily navigate back to the last knot. I also liked that you could flip through the pages of an actual book and would then zoom in on the illustrations in it. I played Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood right before Beacon Pines and the former didn't really sell the concept of a visual novel to me. Getting through that one felt a lot more like work to me. Beacon Pines on the other hand made me go: "I now understand what a visual novel is and why this genre deserves to exist". I'm sad that I finished it and don't feel ready to leave this town behind. Since I have a few loose ends remaining that I didn't (have to) tie up - I'll probably restart the game immediately :D the art style is beautiful, all characters feel fully fleshed out and the sound design adds to the immersion. I have nothing to criticize. I think that's a first for me for a game. It brought back that feeling I used to get while watching a really good cartoon show as a child.
As a fan of visual novels and creepy stories, Beacon Pines immediately drew me in. The game features a charming art style, an engaging story filled with lovable characters, and plenty of surprising twists.
For a visual novel, the story is everything, and Beacon Pines delivers. It follows a young boy and his friends as they unravel the mysteries surrounding their small town. What truly makes the narrative compelling, however, is its cast. The characters are distinct, memorable, and genuinely likable, which is one of the game’s strongest qualities.
For players who haven’t experienced many visual novels, this is an excellent introduction to the genre. The story is satisfying yet concise, making it easy to finish without feeling overwhelmed. One of the best aspects of visual novels is the ability to influence the story through meaningful choices, leading to multiple routes and endings. Beacon Pines embraces this idea and improves upon it by making it easy, and even necessary, to explore different paths. Rather than forcing players to rely on manual saves or replay large portions of the game to see alternate outcomes, the game is designed to naturally guide you through its branching storylines, encouraging you to experience every route.
While the game’s shorter length is largely a strength, never feeling padded or filled with unnecessary content, my only real complaint is that I wanted more. I was enjoying the experience so much that it ended sooner than I hoped. Although the quality of the game easily justifies its full price, its brief runtime makes it an even better value when purchased on sale. Fortunately, it is discounted frequently, recently by as much as 70% (around $5.99), which makes it an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a cozy game with an intriguing story.
If you already enjoy visual novels, Beacon Pines is a no-brainer. And if you’re new to the genre, or don’t usually play this type of game, this is a light, accessible, and highly enjoyable place to start.
Final Verdict: 9/10
So Good highly recommend
A cute, cosy and a bit creepy choose your own adventure style game with good writing and some memorable moments. Not too long, not too short, perfect for a few evening sessions on the Steam Deck.
This game was strange in that it was unclear to me who the audience is. It's appropriately tagged as horror because the main characters are children (shudder) but I'm not sure what the cozy elements are beyond the two low-stakes minigames. It's a big recommend though because I love games where you can backtrack and mess with things without save scumming.
Very cute little game and MUCH more in depth story-wise than I had been anticipating. I had a great time playing through it!
Honestly just the loveliest game, I loved every part of it and it is so unique ! thank you :')
Absolute Rolo Cinema
A very good story telling game, i reccom this game to anyone who comes across this
A perfectly cozy game to settle in to play while the weather is crap. Grab yourself a cup of tea or coffee and embrace the entangling story that is sure to make you ponder on your own life
It's beautiful and clever and sweet (and just the slightest bit impossibly bonkers) and I did in fact tear up a little at the end.
The art is especially vibrant too, such a joy to look at as well as play.
Неплохой сюжет и приятный арт-стайл.
Beacon Pines – A Cozy Mystery Wrapped in a Storybook Heart
Beacon Pines is one of those rare little gems that sneaks up on you. At first glance, it looks like a cute storybook with charming hand-drawn art and cozy woodland characters—but beneath that, it’s an emotional, beautifully told mystery that stays with you long after the credits roll.
You play as Luka, a young fox-like kid exploring his quiet, slightly eerie hometown after the loss of his mother. The gameplay blends narrative choices with exploration, but the real magic is how it all feels like you’re inside a book—literally. You collect “charms,” words that change the direction of the story, and flipping through these branches feels like peeking into the secret heart of a fairytale.
What really makes Beacon Pines special, though, is the tone. It’s nostalgic without being saccharine, dark without being grim. The writing is tender and surprisingly mature, and the narrator’s voice work (seriously, perfection) adds warmth and gravity to every moment. It’s a game about curiosity, courage, and community—about how kids try to make sense of a world that doesn’t always make sense.
If you love narrative adventures like Night in the Woods or Oxenfree, this will feel like coming home. It’s cozy, spooky, heartfelt, and quietly profound.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A beautiful little storybook full of heart, mystery, and magic.
A solid take on "kids find out something's afoot in a sleepy town" in """branching visual novel""" form, with fitting writing and music.
also they're animals. hell yeah!!!
game good
very good i like
