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Static Dread: The Lighthouse

Static Dread: The Lighthouse

PCPlayStationXbox
Released

Release Date: August 6, 2025

Adventure, FPP, Horror, Cthulhu, Indie Games, Singleplayer

A first-person horror adventure game, inspired by Lovecraft's works and featuring mechanics similar to the game Papers Please. In Static Dread: The Lighthouse we play as a person working in the titular lighthouse, guiding the ships to the port. The world is after a global catastrophe and it's filled with dark forces.

6.5

OpenCritic

9.2

Steam

Rate It!
Ratings
[0:48] - Gameplay Launch Trailer Videos: 3
Screenshot Images: 12
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The independent Serbian studio Solarsuit Games has existed since 2021. Although the developers from Novi Sad started with smaller scale projects, they quickly moved on to creating larger productions. One of them is the game described here - Static Dread: The Lighthouse is a horror-themed adventure game, which they refer to as a title where "Lovecraft meets Papers, Please".

Gameplay

In Static Dread: The Lighthouse we watch the action from a first-person perspective (FPP).

Lighthouse keeper

The game allows us to become a lighthouse keeper. After a global catastrophe, the protagonist was sent by the port authorities to the top of an old lighthouse to reactivate it, and consequently - to enable the continuation of maritime navigation. His actions and the choices he makes will determine the future fate of both himself and the ships or inhabitants of the nearby settlement.

Duties

During the game we communicate with the crews of ships and port authorities, using radio or fax. We should expect various, sometimes bizarre characters, to knock on the lighthouse door. They be traders with whom we replenish our supplies, villagers praying to sea beasts and performing gloomy rituals, as well as much stranger and more disturbing visitors.

Dark forces

Moreover, as progress is made powerful, dark forces manifest themselves in the lighthouse and at sea. Empty ships are docking at the port, disturbing news is reaching us by fax, and octopus-like creatures are starting to lurk in the shadows. All of this makes maintaining mental health, fulfilling the job entrusted to us, and returning to our loved ones a real challenge.

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Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows August 6, 2025

PlayStation 4

PlayStation 4 November 7, 2025

Xbox One

Xbox One November 7, 2025

PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5 November 7, 2025

Xbox Series X/S

Xbox Series X/S November 7, 2025

Developer: Solarsuit Games

Publisher: Polden Publishing

Age restrictions: 16+

Similar Games:

Call of Cthulhu

No one lives under the lighthouse

SOMA

Features

System Requirements

System Requirements for Static Dread: The Lighthouse Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core i3, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 1050, 3 GB HDD, Windows 10/11.

Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, graphic card 8 GB GeForce GTX 1070 Ti, 3 GB HDD, Windows 10/11.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Static Dread: The Lighthouse Video Game.

6.5

OpenCritic Rating

Game is Recomended by 28% of Critics. There are 10 Critic Reviews.

OpenCritic

Checkpoint Gaming: 4 / 10 by Jarrod Harrison

Static Dread: The Lighthouse is a disappointing attempt at combining the suspense, dread, and worldbuilding of Lovecraftian horror with the gameplay of Papers, Please. With what little this game does right, such as its incredible character designs and art, it is sadly overlooked by its tonal inconsistencies and its diabolical mediocrity, from its poorly implemented sanity and energy mechanics to its horrendously easy and repetitive gameplay loop. It's an easily forgettable and thematically incoherent narrative, lacking any genuine horror elements, and revealing its eldritch threats too early on. Few games capture the essence of H.P. Lovecraft, and Static Dread falls flat at every turn.

Full Review

Shacknews: 8 / 10 by Will Borger

Its low-fi, contained horror isn’t going to scare the pants off of you, but it is unsettling, and it will keep you guessing until the end. Just… do yourself a favor: when the night rolls in, stay in the light.

Full Review

Use a Potion: 9 / 10

Static Dread: The Lighthouse is a slow-burning, atmospheric descent into unease that thrives on disturbing ambiguity, tension, and moral pressure. It’s a game that’ll certainly get under your skin when playing, forcing you to question not only the world around you but your own decisions within it, making for an experience that is uniquely gripping, deeply memorable, and sure to keep you on the edge of your seat with its subtle cosmic frights.

Full Review
92%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (1,044)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Atmosphere and Art Style: Many players praised the game's thick Lovecraftian atmosphere, rich visuals, and engaging art style, which contribute to a unique and immersive experience.
  • Story and Writing: The writing is noted for being well-crafted and fitting the Lovecraftian theme, with interesting narrative twists and character development.
  • Choice and Consequence: Players appreciated the decision-making mechanics, where choices significantly impact the storyline and lead to multiple endings, enhancing replayability.
  • Engaging Gameplay Loop: The mix of guiding ships, managing lighthouse duties, and dealing with supernatural elements keeps the gameplay engaging for many.
  • Compatibility: The game is noted for its compatibility with various devices, including MacBooks and Steam Decks, making it accessible to a broader audience.

The main cons of the game

  • Repetitiveness: Several reviews pointed out that the gameplay becomes repetitive, especially in the second half, with diminishing challenges and reused dialogues.
  • Sound Design Issues: The soundscape received criticism for being overwhelming, particularly an incessant droning noise that detracted from the atmospheric experience.
  • Lack of Real Stakes: Some players felt that the consequences for mistakes were not significant enough, leading to a lack of tension in gameplay.
  • Tedious Tasks: Routine tasks, such as cleaning and managing lighthouse functions, were described as annoying and detracted from the overall experience.
  • Unclear Mechanics: A few users mentioned confusion regarding win/lose conditions and the implications of their choices, suggesting that some mechanics could be clearer.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Expanded Gameplay Complexity: Players expressed a desire for more depth and variety in gameplay mechanics, particularly as the game progresses.
  • Option to Replay Specific Sections: Many suggested implementing a feature that allows players to replay individual nights or chapters to explore different outcomes without restarting the entire game.
  • Adjustable Difficulty or Task Management: Some users requested options to reduce the frequency of certain tasks, such as cleaning, to enhance focus on the narrative and core gameplay.
  • More Evolving Threats: There were calls for the supernatural threats to evolve over time, providing a more dynamic and engaging horror experience throughout the game.

Summary

  • Overall, while "Static Dread: The Lighthouse" is appreciated for its atmosphere, story, and unique premise, it faces criticism for repetitiveness and sound design issues, along with requests for additional features to enhance gameplay.

Summary generated on:

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