Things were well enough on the mainland. The sea air was intoxicating, the slightest haze swirling just above the waters surface. You flip open your tattered and worn wallet, index finger brushing across the faded and worn central point, digit gracing along that prominent outwards curve. The leather silently gives from years of use, calloused fingers producing a photo from it's central fold. Two pair of beautiful bright eyes and a set of warm smiles meet your gaze: Your lovely family. You wouldn't be out here for long. It would only be a few days before the next Keeper was on rotation. The sudden announcement that the automation of the Lighthouse had ended was unexpected, but it brought new work. And new opportunities. You felt it in your bones:
This was it. This was what you'd been waiting for. Things would never be the same.

Make sure everything is in working order. The lighthouse is lit, the rotation is working, your radio is working, and be sure to keep your head on straight.

In a unique blend of narrative driven game play and job simulation, Static Dread: The Lighthouse is a fantastic short format adventure recently released by developer Solarsuit Games. Mixing some unique animated 2d graphics and simplified 3d (ala early PSX) the end result is a really fantastic tale of one man, and his job at the lighthouse. While initially straight forward, things are not simply as they appear. There is FAR FAR more to this Lighthouse, and You as it's Keeper, than initially meets the eye. It really should have been the simplest of jobs... but things do tend to get complicated when The Old Gods are involved.

While not always changing on the daily, what you are expected to do, and by whom, will change. And sometimes you've got some hard choices to make.

In a style very similar to Papers Please, take the role of the Lighthouse Keeper, and help ships reach the desired destination. Make sure they are who they say they are, and that they're not taking part in anything suspicious, from illicit movement of substances to .... Cult Related Activities? As the game progresses, the exact specifications of what you need to do, what to look for, and info to cross reference and deduce changes and grows over time. That being said, keep an eye out- and be mindful of details. While you initially may be cross communicating with the mainland, you also have to keep tabs on your family, the locals and even more as you progress. Things get a little complicated to say the least.

You'll have many guests knocking at your door. Some bringing information. Some asking questions. Some... from Somewhere Completely Different.

In between prattle with visitors at your door, before and after your shift you can fish (provided you have the needed tools), as well as explore the Lighthouse as you see fit. Various vendors might swing by your Lighthouse, offering additional food (you receive supplies every 2 days, food and your pay) items, or decorations. Keep an open mind. And while some purchases may look like a overly heavy investment early-game, try and think of long-term investments. Manage your money well. You never know the next time you may see someone.

While initially a VERY steep investment for early game, the fishing rod pays in spades. Teach a man to fish...

Music is fantastic, matching the slightly eerie overtone of the game. It constantly changes based on several factors, one of them being your sanity. Controls are very straight forward and easy to use. The only issue of note was that your desk can get a tiny bit cluttered. That being said I was having an issue with one of the maps I was sent rubberbanding into the fax machine. It eventually self-resolved, but it was temporarily frustrating. The only thing I wish had been present were a more apparent was to monitor the degradation of your perks. Though, realistically, this was a very minor qualm.  

A singular playthrough is no-where NEAR enough to get all the possibilities. There is a decent amount of replay ability if you are story driven. 

Overall, the game is fun and entertaining. The by-day progression makes it fairly easy to pick up and put down with little hard commitment, and easy to digest sessions.  I do feel like the mid-game pacing can be a little bit rough to sit through, and it can ever so slightly begin to feel a little draggy. However, what the game ramps up to be really is enjoyable, and makes that slight "wait" worth it. A whole slew of unlockable "paths" really make an additional playthrough well worth it, and clocking in at under 15 bucks, you REALLY can't go wrong.

 Static Dread: The Lighthouse is available on the Steam Marketplace for $12.99 USD.