Decoding the Enigma of ‘Lorelei and the Laser Eyes’ by Simogo

Typically, the journey of game development commences with a mechanic or a narrative which developers are keen to unravel, or even an intriguing storyline they believe will resonate powerfully in an interactive environment. Often, there’s a core theme rooted in genres like “first-person shooter” or “isometric roguelike.” The game begins to take shape within this structure, with its particulars and specific terms emerging gradually.

However, for Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, the developer, Simogo, commenced with the title.

“There was no single moment of epiphany,” Simogo’s co-founder Simon Flesser shared with BuyTechBlog. “We began with a title that we were quite taken with, and have since been attempting to unravel the concept of ‘laser eyes’.”

Simogo

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes represents the ninth significant game from Simogo, the lauded Swedish studio responsible for hits like Device 6, Year Walk, and Sayonara Wild Hearts. The unveiling of Lorelei in June 2022 was accompanied by a noir-inspired trailer hinting at a murder mystery, a web of deceptions, and a palace of memories. A stylishly dressed woman glides languidly behind the text of the trailer, her eyes aglow with a red hue as she traverses the monochrome expanses of a vast estate.

Simogo has been relatively sparse with the details about Lorelei since its initial reveal, and it hasn’t provided much additional information in the following year. The game’s recent trailer includes the years 1847, 1963 and 2014, suggesting international spy activities with a supernatural bend and highlighting the player’s capability to detect patterns and solve puzzles. “Do you remember the maze?” the trailer repeats.

To provide a general understanding of Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, Flesser shared the following details:

• It is a third-person puzzle adventure game.
• Its progression is non-linear.
• It comprises nearly 150 puzzles to solve.
• It will be available on PC and Switch.
• It unfolds in the “surreal memory of a house.”

Lorelei and the Laser Eyes employs cameras in a 3D space, borrowing from the ingenious ideas in Sayonara Wild Hearts to modify mechanics and viewpoints. It exudes an air of mystery, well, because it is one.

“The making of the project has been a transformative journey, which is mirrored in its themes,” said Flesser. “It isn’t just a single concept, but more of a compilation of ideas over time. Thematically, it encompasses numerous concepts about stories within stories, reflections of stories, memories, dreams, and parallel happenings and universes.”

Simogo

According to Flesser, players will interact with items such as cameras, computers, and locks; read excerpts from books and magazines; and engage in games within the game.

“We aim to evoke a sense of things not being as they appear,” he expressed. “Not fear, but a persistent sense of ambivalence, a narrative without clear distinctions of good and evil. Plus, an undertone of absurdity — finding oneself in an odd situation that eventually compels you to question what is real and what isn’t.”

In essence, Simogo aims to play with your perception. This approach seems in line with the studio’s modus operandi, as previous games like Year Walk, The Sailor’s Dream, and Device 6 successfully experimented with surrealism and supernatural phenomena.

“I believe blending realities brings about something captivating,” Flesser added. “When media discusses our reality as though it’s a narrative within its reality, it somehow becomes more tangible. It infiltrates your consciousness in avery distinct manner. You essentially become the story.”

The release date for Lorelei and the Laser Eyes remains undisclosed, but it’s confirmed to be published by Annapurna Interactive and is scheduled for a 2024 release on PC and Switch. The game’s second trailer debuted last week, ending with a series of maze blocks appearing in a sentence-like formation. It seems like a challenge or perhaps an invitation to solve one of Lorelei’s puzzles. It gives the impression that the game has already commenced.

A user on Steam claims to have decoded the maze blocks into a coherent thought, and their interpretation appears fitting (link provided here for the curious ones). When asked for a correct translation of these enigmatic blocks, Flesser didn’t provide an answer. He simply stated, “Everything is a puzzle.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

More about Lorelei and the Laser Eyes

• Simogo’s official website
• Annapurna Interactive’s official website
• Sayonara Wild Hearts on Simogo’s website
• Device 6 on Simogo’s website
• Year Walk on Simogo’s website