Is the Gameplay as Enthralling as a Lighthouse Beam or as Monotonous as Fog Rolling In?

For those of us who relish a narrative woven with mystery and steeped in atmosphere, the allure of a game like The Wickie is undeniable. It beckons with the promise of maritime intrigue and the isolation of a lone lighthouse keeper facing the unknown. But does the reality of its gameplay and story truly illuminate these expectations, or does it leave us navigating in a murky haze of unfulfilled potential? Read on to find out!

A Tale of Tides and Terror?

The Wickie: Journey of a Lighthouse Keeper casts you in the role of a lighthouse keeper on a remote Scottish island. The gameplay centres around maintaining a lighthouse, a vital beacon for passing ships, whilst simultaneously unravelling a dark and unsettling mystery that permeates the island. Days are spent managing the lighthouse mechanisms – ensuring the lamp is lit, the lens is turning, and the foghorn is ready. This routine is punctuated by exploration of the island, where you discover clues in the form of notes, objects, and environmental storytelling that gradually piece together the narrative.

The Wickie leans heavily into its atmospheric setting, with a palpable sense of isolation and foreboding. The core gameplay loop of maintenance and environmental investigation can, however, feel somewhat pedestrian, lacking the dynamic engagement that some players might crave at times.

The story itself, while intriguing in its premise of supernatural occurrences and local legends, unfolds at a deliberate pace, demanding patience and a keen eye for detail from the player. One aspect that keeps things interesting is the utterly bizarre appearance of NPCs that you encounter during the game, appearing to have been hand-drawn on a 2D surface, despite being within a 3D world.

Gears and Ghosts

At its heart, The Wickie employs a point-and-click adventure style, albeit with free movement around the environment, reminiscent of the remake of Riven (read our Riven review here). Interaction with the world involves examining objects, collecting key items, and solving relatively straightforward environmental puzzles to progress the narrative. The lighthouse management aspect introduces a layer of routine, requiring players to perform tasks like refuelling the lamp and winding the mechanism.

While this contributes to the immersive atmosphere, these tasks are generally simple and repetitive, and can become tedious after a short time. The Wickie incorporates inventory management, where collected items are used to solve puzzles or provide further insight into the unfolding mystery. There are no combat mechanics present; the tension and threat are derived purely from the unsettling atmosphere and the narrative implications of the discoveries made as you progress. This focus on atmosphere and narrative over complex mechanics will likely appeal to players who favour story-driven experiences, but those seeking more intricate gameplay systems may find it lacking.

Visions in the Vigour

Visually, The Wickie crafts a compelling and atmospheric environment. The depiction of the remote Scottish island, with its rugged coastline, weathered buildings, and the imposing lighthouse itself, is detailed and evocative, even coming across as intimidating at times.

The lighting plays a crucial role in establishing mood, with the beam of the lighthouse cutting through the darkness and the shifting weather conditions adding to the sense of place. While not pushing the boundaries of graphical fidelity, the art style effectively conveys the intended atmosphere of isolation and mystery.

The audio design is equally impactful. The sound of the wind and waves, the creaking of the lighthouse machinery, and the subtle, unsettling soundscapes all contribute significantly to the immersive experience.

Echoes in the Empty Air

The replay value of The Wickie is somewhat limited. Once the central mystery has been solved and the narrative threads have been followed to their conclusion, there is little incentive to revisit the game as there is nothing new to discover.

The puzzles are fixed, and the key story beats remain the same. While players might choose to replay to uncover any missed details or achieve all in-game achievements, the core experience remains largely unchanged. The Wickie is primarily designed as a narrative-driven experience, and once that narrative has been fully explored, its capacity for repeated engagement diminishes vastly.

Conclusion

The Wickie offers a distinct and atmospheric experience, drawing players into its isolated setting and unfolding mystery. Its strengths lie in its evocative presentation, its intriguing narrative, and the palpable sense of unease it cultivates. However, the deliberate pace of the gameplay and the relatively simple mechanics may result in players experiencing a certain level of tedium. The Wickie is a game that prioritises atmosphere and storytelling over complex interactions and high replayability. For those who appreciate a slow-burn mystery with a strong sense of place, The Wickie provides a unique and absorbing experience!

Grade: 7.5/10