Video Game Review: Mothmen 1966

Developer: LCB Game Studio

Publisher: Chorus Worldwide

Genre: Visual novel

Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch

Also Available On: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

I’m not an expert on all of the types of cryptids, but like a lot of people, I use the internet. I’ve heard of a spooky flying cryptid known as mothman. I’ve seen many interpretations of mothman, and I’m fascinated at all of the stories and art of this strange West Virginian creature. The latest game to utilize the mothman is Mothmen 1966, visual novel combining pulp and 80’s computer visuals.

Mothmen 1966 takes place in, well, 1966. Players will be in charge of a couple, a grumpy gas station owner, and a paranormal investigator as they witness spooky creatures and strange men. Through short chapters and a lot of jumping between characters, players will try to keep their characters alive and well.

What immediately sets Mothmen 1966 apart from the rest of the genre is the impeccable presentation. Mothmen 1966 feels like an upscaled game from the 80’s. Everything from the “pixel-pulp” graphics to the campy story will remind players of the olden days. It’s a nice reminder of what things used to be while holding on to modern-day gaming trends for the best quality of life possible.

The pacing through Mothmen 1966 is excellent, however the short chapters sometimes stifles that. Mothmen 1966 is already a short game that can be completed in a couple hours. The short chapters just break it up too much, which is a shame because this is an overall focused game. The minigames fit right in, and the plot rarely derails itself too much. With better pacing, this game could have been a masterpiece.

Instead, it’s a solid visual novel that can be easily completed in an evening. It’s atmosphere and unique take on mothman makes it worth checking out for anyone who is fascinated by the genre or creature.

And yes, I recognize how short this review is, but it’s really best for players to go in as blind as possible. Mothmen 1966 will absolutely speak to its intended audience. It’s special for what it is, and I can’t wait to see what LCB Game Studio does next.