Set in a Pulp Adventure 1932
The Lamplighters League takes players on a thrilling journey through a pulp adventure set in 1932. In this world, secret societies are vying to use magic to reshape the world. The game offers a unique twist on the tactics genre by combining a strategic campaign layer with real-time stealth and tactical combat. While it may not introduce groundbreaking mechanics, The Lamplighters League delivers a fun and entertaining experience that will resonate with fans of pulp adventure stories.
A Captivating Pulp Adventure
The game immediately captures the essence of classic pulp adventures like The Mummy and Indiana Jones. The three enemy houses of the Banished Court, each with their own nefarious goals, provide the perfect villains for the setting. From the cult of squid-worshippers to the noble lineage of tyrannical conquerors and the upstart American industrialist, the game truly embraces the pulp adventure archetypes. The characters, villains, and the exquisite soundtrack by Jon Everist bring the genre to life.
A Crew of Misfits
Players assume the role of a crew of mercenaries and outcasts hired by the last surviving member of the ancient Lamplighters League. This league, known as the occult good guys, was decimated during conflicts surrounding World War 1. With the heroes gone, it’s now up to morally ambiguous characters and washed-up scum to save the day. The game’s tone and characters perfectly capture the appeal of the genre, making for a memorable adventure.
A Strategic Campaign Layer
The Lamplighters League offers a strategic campaign layer comprised of single missions. These missions, executed by three-person teams, can range from stealing supplies to assassinations and rescue operations. The goal is to advance your objectives and hinder the progress of the enemy factions, each of which possesses a doomsday clock that strengthens their forces over time. The strategic layer presents players with difficult choices as they juggle limited time and resources.
Missions with Depth
The game features a combination of hand-made and randomly generated missions. Some missions follow a procedural structure, while others are story-driven heists against the Banished Court. The heists, which require four-person teams, provide a greater challenge and more formidable opposition. A full campaign on higher difficulties can take anywhere from 20 to 30 hours, offering a substantial gameplay experience.
A Mix of Real-Time Stealth and Turn-Based Combat
The Lamplighters League incorporates both real-time stealth and turn-based combat mechanics. While the stealth elements may feel barebones compared to other stealth games, they still offer enjoyable patterns for players to exploit. Players can use stealth takedowns, shock mines, and bruiser rushes to strategically eliminate enemies. However, the game lacks certain features like a clear method for luring enemies off path. Additionally, late game missions can become frustrating due to large enemy hordes that make stealth nearly impossible.
Thrilling Tactical Combat
The tactical combat in The Lamplighters League is its strongest aspect. The game excels in both playable character design and enemy design. Each of the 10 recruitable Lamplighters plays in a unique way, offering diverse combat options. From short to mid-range combatants like sneak-thief Lateef to snipers like Purnima and skirmishers like Celestine, every character has their own distinct playstyle. This variety adds depth to the gameplay and encourages replayability. The combat emphasizes chaos, with different abilities causing various effects on the battlefield. While the game lacks destructibility seen in other tactical games, it compensates with its focus on unpredictable and surprising combat scenarios.
Overall, The Lamplighters League delivers an entertaining and engaging experience that captures the spirit of classic pulp adventures. While it may not introduce groundbreaking mechanics, it offers an enjoyable mix of strategy, stealth, and tactical combat. The game’s captivating story, diverse characters, and unique take on the genre make it a worthwhile addition to any player’s library.