Bahnsen Knights is a deep and intelligent game that takes you on a seedy, sinister, and uncomfortable journey. Moreover, it wonderfully intertwines minor moments and characters from previous titles in the series. The Pixel Pulps franchise tells grim horror stories that have a dated vibe. Yet, each glorious story gets under your skin thanks to its incredible writing, strange settings, and memorable characters.
This visual novel was developed by LCB Game Studio and published by Chorus Worldwide Games. Moreover, there are distinct CGA gaming elements at play. As such, this is gloriously old-school and unbelievably captivating. The excellent story writing and weird plot get under your skin. Accordingly, though each playthrough can be over in a heartbeat, you won’t want to put it down.
A sense of déjà vu.
Bahnsen Knights brilliantly completes the first volume of the Pixel Pulps adventure games. Additionally, there is a strange sense of déjà vu as characters cross between each story. Moreover, there is a familiar twist in the hidden game of solitaire. Alongside this, though each story is a stand-alone affair, there is a connection between each experience that is tough to put your finger on.
Consequently, if you haven’t played either Mothman 1966 or Varney Lake, it matters not. However, if you have enjoyed both of these horror tales, you’ll cherish every sinister and creepy moment you encounter.
Bahnsen Knights tells a tale of deception.
I love a great horror story. Yet, if you add some deception and gruesome crime to the mix, I find it tough to put it down. Fortunately, Bahnsen Knights ticks each of these boxes in its ever-twisting and wonderfully deep plot. Moreover, its cast of characters and the gruff protagonist add a sense of drama, danger, and despair to the action. As such, you never know which way the story will turn.
You control Boulder, an undercover agent who hopes to infiltrate the Bahnsen Knights. An old friend has disappeared and Boulder suspects that the BK gang are responsible. However, suspecting and proving a crime are 2 different things. Accordingly, he must keep his wits about him as he unravels a web of deceit and crime.
A story that is beautifully told.
Though much of the action is uncomfortable and slow, the plot is beautifully told. The blend of badass characters, puzzles, and captivating dialogue holds your attention. What’s more, your decisions create new branching storylines. Consequently, you’ll experience some incredible highs and some dreadful lows as you try and solve this mysterious crime.
Evidence and mini-games.
Bringing the Bahnsen Knights down is no mean feat. However, with the help of prayer cards, you can assign the information to your team. Yet, this wasn’t a compulsory part of the gameplay. This was a strange choice as it added a sense of depth to the investigatory part of the plot.
Alongside this, the dramatic and often oppressive elements of the game are broken up with a smattering of mini-games. These short but fun endeavours break up the intense nature of the story. Furthermore, they test your skills, reactions, and patience. Thankfully, if you don’t get on with any of the mini-games, they can simply be skipped.
Bahnsen Knights is grim but stylish.
The rich colour palette and pixelated art style won’t appeal to everyone. Yet, if you adore CGA games, and you want a retro experience, then you won’t want to miss out. Additionally, the striking and cruel nature of each character’s image is wonderfully grim and uncomfortable to look at. As such, though it is understated by modern standards, I loved every moment, regardless.
The audio is just as good. The hard-hitting soundtrack is complemented by some amazing atmospheric sounds. What’s more, the sound effects are rarely OTT and seem perfectly balanced.
Easy controls.
Though the mini-games will test you, the rest of Bahnsen Knights is easy to play. The simple-to-understand control setup can be mastered by a toddler. Moreover, you can change the speed of the dialogue if you want to progress faster. This was a great move if you were on your second or third playthrough.
Discovering every unique moment is no mean feat. Subsequently, you will have to play this multiple times if you wish to uncover every secret. As such, if you fall for its charms, you’ll enjoy both replay value and longevity.
Bahnsen Knights is fantastic.
Finding a delightfully cruel horror story that is captivating is no mean feat. Yet, the Pixel Pulps franchise will get under your skin. However, I enjoyed this story more than the other 2. The blend of characters and the fascinating setting makes it stand out from its predecessors. Consequently, I adore it and I recommend that you buy it here! Can you infiltrate the gang and save your friend? Find the clues, complete each mini-game, and save the day.
