Beacon Pines: A Creepy Narrative Adventure

Be the author of your own story in this enticing indie adventure

Beacon Pines developed by Hiding Spot has crashed into the gaming world with resounding success. Featuring several high scored reviews and positive feedback from 97% players on Steam, I was hyped to try it out. Settled in a cozy setting of a woodland town, Beacon Pines catapults us into a world of soft horror, adventure, and mystery. The main character Luka is a lovable rogue paired with his equally as likable companion Rollo. Luka learns that his town, that he has dealt with many hardships in, isn’t as clear cut and normal as he originally thought. Grab your Sherlock Holmes hats and magnifying glasses and Join us here at VIBE as we try and solve the mystery of Beacon Pines!

A Mysterious Book

Beacon Pines starts on the pages of a mysterious book. A soft spoken narrator informs us we are the author of the adventure that we are about to experience. As a result of this, the player learns early on that everything that transpires from that moment is a direct result of choices made by the player. Therefore, creating a unique and interesting opening. The allure of mystery was enough to hook most players in the opening moments. The story that presents its self is often creepy with quite sinister events occurring. For example, without spoiling much of the story, our main character Luka and his friend Rolo end up in a dumpster with an unknown individual in a hazmat dropping a body on top of them. Being quite early into the game this was the first turning point into a barrage of unfolding events.

The story has many twists and turns and has pauses at each chapter which allowed for reflection. Primarily, the story is not as cutesy and whimsical as it originally seems. The game lures you in with cozy settings such as a charming town where everyone is well acquainted and a warm house where Luka resides with a caring grandmother and roaring hearth fire. It’s no surprise most players are caught off guard with the change in story.

Quirky Cutesy Characters

The characters introduced in Beacon Pines are of anthropomorphic design. There are several cute creatures featured in the game such as our main protagonist being a Stag. However, it is not just woodland creatures featured as throughout the story there are penguins, bats, and even a school rhino who hangs about with the town bully. Each character had an extremely in depth personality which often resembled characteristics of the animal. For example, one of the workers for a slimy corporation is a hyena. Hyenas are typically known for their savage and scavenging, cut throat nature feeding off carcasses that lions and other dominant creatures leave behind.

Personally, I felt the characters were extremely well done. The main protagonist Luka is a charming mischievous boy and it was really hard not to instantly like him. Luka is full of adventure and is currently going through a great deal of trauma after losing both his parents, one being deceased and one missing.

Decisions control Progress

As mentioned before players of Beacon Pines control the story. However, it was not mentioned that often the wrong choices can lead to a premature ending. The success of the story depends on the charms that players collect. For example, pictured above we have some collected. Each of these charms will act as decisions in the story. Players should proceed with caution. If a charm doesn’t match up or make sense in the event, it will cause a game over and players will have to go back to an earlier part of the story using the Chronicle which will be discussed later in the article.

Charms are actions that Luka can do and respond. A surprising one was the charm titled “Shit”. It became apparent that this was to be used against Rollo’s bullying big sister and the book simply said “Respond to his sister by being a little *gap*. Putting shit here made Luka Kick Rolla’s sister and high tail it off into the sunset having saved his friend.

Length

The game is relatively short, but this can be made up for with how rich and enticing the narrative is. Additionally, the game allows for replayability when you reach an unsatisfying ending. This can be done through the chronicle found in a page of the book. Players can choose to go back and replay a scene and change which charms they use for progression. As a result of this, the outcome of each chapter will change and can cause a longer duration of the story. This feature is exciting as there are many endings and different ways the game plays out. The narrative informs the player that they are searching for a true ending to the story and as a result of this, the players main objective is to go until this is achieved.

Pleasing To The Eye Art Style

The art style gives a warm and pleasing vibe, but also it can be dark and sinister. For example, pictured above is Lukas garden. There are bright and cozy colors such as light pinks and luscious greens. However, in the second picture we see a dark color palette. In the first picture of the cozy garden, we are just being introduced to the world of Beacon Pines. The second picture is when a sinister conversation is taking place and, therefore, the art style has done well to create a creepy scene. The art style is sure to entice players in this ability to do both cutesy and creepy with skill.

VIBES SCORE

8/10

Thank You

I’ve been writing for VIBE for a while now and I’ve been doing a lot of reflection on it. I am extremely happy to be able to provide articles for you guys and I am so grateful for every single person who just clicks on them for a read or comments or likes. VIBE is a great company and we are ever so grateful for your support. I hope to continue writing indie articles for as long as I can! I hope you guys will stick around with me for the duration. Anyway, Enough of the soppy stuff.

Overall, Beacon Pines is a fresh perspective in the indie narrative scene. I hope you will check out Beacon Pines as it is definitely an indie adventure experience that deserves recognition. Beacon Pines can be purchased on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1269640/Beacon_Pines/ and also on XBOX and Nintendo Switch.