Varney Lake
Varney Lake
Game
Game2023
Bahnsen Knights
Developer LCB Game Studio
1986, Tornado Alley, USA… Go undercover as Boulder, an agent infiltrating the notorious religious cult known as the Bahnsen Knights. Face off against occultists, biblical storms, and an enigmatic car salesman turned preacher as you investigate the disappearance of a fellow agent and close friend. From the Steam store page
87 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Aug 30, 2026 · last updated Oct 8, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
97
LovedLoved
61 positive · 2 negative
95% range 89–99%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 61 | 2 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 8 | 0 | 10 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 6 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Very Positive
67 of 69 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
97% recommend · 62 yes, 2 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 64 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (87 of 91 positive).
Players praise the game's oppressive atmosphere and retro aesthetic. [1][2][3] Many consider it the best entry in the Pixel Pulps series. [4][5][6] Some reviewers criticize the story and protagonist for lacking depth. [7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [1]
I loved LCB's earlier games, the psychedelic retro horror of Mothmen 1966 and the King/Bradbury nostalgia of Varney Lake, but Bahnsen Knights couldn't be further apart. The third Pixel Pulp is oppressive, brooding, a more personal story that relies on a winding, fascinating inner monologue rather than the tropes of popular literary genres. The feeling is that of a team pushing the concept to the limit, especially in …
- [3]
The crowning achievement of the 'Pixel Pulp' series and quite possibly the moodiest CGA game never released in 1987. For the right type of hard-case, indispensable.
- [13]
With the exception of the Via Crucis Solitaire minigame that I hated with every fiber of my being, I enjoyed this game quite a bit. Unfortunately beating the world's worst minigame (it's 95% luck/RNG and not even remotely fun in any way) is required to get 100% achievements, but if you look past that this was a well written immersive visual novel with stylized retro graphics that fit the setting perfectly. If you …
- [2]
Loving the moody atmosphere so far. Reminds me of a 1970s grimy thriller movie...
- [4]
The third in the Pixel Pulps series, sharing the same world as the previous ones (although this one feels more independent), might be the most fascinating and intriguing of the bunch, especially due to the amazing protagonist and the aggressive aesthetics and color pallete. It also has a bit more freedom in some sections (and deaths too) and pretty compelling dialogue. Totally recommended, just like the rest of the …
Summarised from 34 of the 92 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
Players who liked Bahnsen Knights talk about engaging art style and retro graphics; those who didn't talk about frustrating minigames, especially solitaire. Which matters more to you?
Reactions
60 of 87 · most liked firstI loved LCB's earlier games, the psychedelic retro horror of Mothmen 1966 and the King/Bradbury nostalgia of Varney Lake, but Bahnsen Knights couldn't be further apart. The third Pixel Pulp is oppressive, brooding, a more personal story that relies on a winding, fascinating inner monologue rather than the tropes of popular literary genres. The feeling is that of a team pushing the concept to the limit, especially in terms of design. The predominant red palette exalts the horror and paranoia the…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The third in the Pixel Pulps series, sharing the same world as the previous ones (although this one feels more independent), might be the most fascinating and intriguing of the bunch, especially due to the amazing protagonist and the aggressive aesthetics and color pallete. It also has a bit more freedom in some sections (and deaths too) and pretty compelling dialogue. Totally recommended, just like the rest of the series, such incredible experiences. Esp: El tercero de la serie Pixel Pulps,…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I came here after reading this amazing review from Eurogamer... Bahnsen Knights is magic in general, whether it's the plot that is so light-handed at pencilling in its themes, leaving the player to do the crucial part of writing that ties the narrative together, to the way that the action finds interesting gaps for you, whether you're manoeuvring a car on a busy road or realising that you have run out of interesting things to say to a vital contact, or whether you're using a Tarot Card system…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Only just getting started, but I have a feeling this might be the best Pixel Pulp yet! Art, storytelling, *atmosphere* - all better than ever so far. Can't wait to see where Boulder's story goes. Toni is clearly A Very Dodgy Man.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bahnsen Knights is simply too impressive a game, and I'm not exclusively referring to its plot or visuals. Can't recommend it strongly enough. Steam page: store.steampowered.com/app/1933190/...
positive · AI labelView post →Loving the moody atmosphere so far. Reminds me of a 1970s grimy thriller movie...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →It's from LCB Game Studio, who you might know by their Pixel Pulp titles like Mothmen 1966, Bahnsen Knights, and Varney Lake. They all have distinct art styles and deep, thought-provoking stories.
neutral · AI labelView post →Full Walkthrough: https://youtu.be/ZFiD-5YV7m0 ★★★★☆ Gameplay: Decent Graphics: Retro Music: Good Story: Good PC Requirements: Potato Game Time: 1.5 - 4 hrs
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great oldschool Mega athmosphere. i like it
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Did not like this one. We were given no background information on who this cult was, what their motivations were, why they needed to be investigated, and how did Boulder enter the cult. And the "cult" was more like a gang. Why did they care about F5 tornadoes? How does the leader being a used car salesman factor into this other than the weird ass barn full of imported Ford Sierras. The man character wallows on and on about his wife, child, and dead friend, and this would be fine if it didn't…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good atmosphere and writing BUT The save function was bugged. It would save correctly but after returning ingame the graphics would not display correctly (or at all) so had to quit (with ALT F4 mind you) every time. Retry function was also bugged. Say you can ask two questions to a victim before a guy returns and then if you ask another one you would be spotter and killed. If you retry afterwards even asking a single question would get you killed. The minigames while not too long were…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Some games that I like! ❤️🎮 - Death Stranding - Dredge - Dave the Diver - Gabriel Knight 2: The Beast Within - Stardew Valley - Vampire Survivors - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Fable (the point n click game) - Simon the Sorcerer - Bust A Groove - Days Gone - Final Fantasy 15 - Bahnsen Knights
neutral · AI labelView post →@polykillpodcast.bsky.social #JustBeatIt Bahnsen Knights (PS5) concludes the Pixel Pulps Collection for the Fanboy* square and also has a helicopter explode in a glorious fireball for the Tales of the Lesser Helicopters square. Great adventure game, really enjoyed the whole trilogy. Get it! Plat#149
positive · AI labelView post →The art is even better in this one, but I think the previous one was a better game overall. Still, nice short story.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The crowning achievement of the 'Pixel Pulp' series and quite possibly the moodiest CGA game never released in 1987. For the right type of hard-case, indispensable.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Visual novel for those who think the genre isn’t worth the time. Although this is a separate game, the developer has previously produced two other titles that share a lot of similarities, including the UI and visual style. The user interface is simple and devoid of any extra features. There is simply a log where you can read through all of the text and a pause button where you can save, load, and change certain settings. If you're a quick reader, you can move the message slider all the way to…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →With the exception of the Via Crucis Solitaire minigame that I hated with every fiber of my being, I enjoyed this game quite a bit. Unfortunately beating the world's worst minigame (it's 95% luck/RNG and not even remotely fun in any way) is required to get 100% achievements, but if you look past that this was a well written immersive visual novel with stylized retro graphics that fit the setting perfectly. If you don't care about achievements I'd strongly recommend it for the story and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played the first three Pixel Pulp games and this is the best so far. Now let's get to Grizzly Man!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I love the concept of pixel pulps, and Bahnsen Knights is a beautifully crafted game. A fitting conclusion for the trilogy, and my personal favorite of the three. The use of color for this games (plus the 10/10 writing) create mood and atmosphere that few games manage to achieve. Quite an experience indeed! Also, Gumby y la puta que te re mil parió...
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Finally, a game where I can be as bad at cards and darts after a few beers as I am in real life!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Just awesome! Takes me back to when I was young and playing games as a kid but still feels new and fresh. Loving it so far!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Gasoline & Static Bahnsen Knights is what happens when a doomsday cult gets really into muscle cars and weather metaphors. You’re undercover, stuck in tornado country with a group that thinks God speaks through combustion engines. You talk. You lie. You drive into storms. Occasionally, you play cursed solitaire. It’s short, stylish, and strange. Conversations are the gameplay, backed by a suspicion meter that’s constantly sweating. Say the wrong thing and someone might bless you with a tire…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Good purchase for an hr or two if it’s on sale. I wouldn’t pay $10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I am a huge fan of the Pixel Pulps because the games are visually stunning, have amazing writing (don’t be fooled by the “pulp” tag, the plot is pulpy but the writing is incredible and characters are very layered and interesting), are super fun to play and feel very unique. In Bahnsen Knights, LCB Game Studio tackles a tried and true crime movie formula: that of an undercover agent. In this case, we have infiltrated a weird road rage cult and need to investigate to nail them for the possibly…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Brilliantly designed, atmospheric, beautiful and engrossing. Never expected such an interface to be able to do so many things.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bahnsen Knights‘ story is an intersection between violent fanaticism and German expressionist philosophy. The clue is in the game’s title. www.popmatters.com/bahnsen-knig...
neutral · AI labelView post →Finally playing Bahnsen Knights from LCB Game Studio. I absolutely *love* their work. Fab visuals & style, eerie subject matter, fat-free design. These visual novels are great! If you haven't tried them, do the whole trilogy - Mothmen 1966 Varney Lake Bahnsen Knights 👌👌👌
positive · AI labelView post →Imagine the psychological stress of not only hiding within a dangerous cult but to use your wife's and daughter "passing" as a cover story? Just thinking about it makes my heart heavy, hell of a premise.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I thoroughly enjoyed Mothmen 1966 so when i discovered LCB was releasing a new pixel pulp I couldn't have been more thrilled. The art work is an absolute feast for the eyes, the story had me hooked the whole way through. The mini games in each chapter were a fun challenge too,needing to "think quickly" really increased the immersion. Highly recommend
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Loving the bit of this I have played so far. A moody, atmospheric and intriguing story enhanced by the art and some great chip tune music.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Probably my favorite title from the Pixel Pulps series. The story hooked me right away, Boulder is a great character and this is a game all about uncovering motives. Great dialogue options with consequences that definitely surprised me, and the eerie vibe set the mood perfectly.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A Stellar Narrative Experience in Retro Fashion Pros: Engaging Artstyle that Harks Back to Retro Classics Compelling Storyline that Keeps You Hooked Smooth Performance without Any Technical Issues Cons: Storyline Could Benefit from Further Development and Complexity Rating: 9/10 If you're curious about this game, take a peek at my gameplay video! https://youtu.be/KBFSYh7FHMU
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Full Game Walkthrough - https://youtu.be/ZLzfq8EcScU Its like watching a Suspense Thriller , its scary , its dark , its unpredictible and all the right mixture of things . I have just finished the whole game and boy oh boy it was one hell of a ride . Cant give you any spoilers !! Overall Score - 9/10
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bahnsen Knights is a tightly focused narrative adventure that transforms a bizarre tale of cults, undercover investigation, violent tornadoes, and supernatural uncertainty into something resembling a playable pulp novel. Developed by LCB Game Studio and published by Chorus Worldwide Games, it is part of the Pixel Pulps series, although the story is sufficiently self-contained for newcomers. Rather than relying on elaborate combat or exploration systems, the game places storytelling, player…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Years ago I played the first title in the Pixel Pulps franchise, Mothmen 1966 and really enjoyed it as a throwback semi-graphic adventure with cool retro style and a few mini-games. So I decided to buy Bahnsen Knights too after trying the demo, I liked it too but not as much as the previous one. Graphics and sound are still top notch for what they are, but for a supposedly Pulp adventure there's nothing weird, supernatural or absurd about it, it's all very grounded. And the protagonist is not…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Got hooked on LCB games from the very start. The Grizzly Man has the most straightforward story compared to other installments, with easy to follow game mechanics, but at the same time, it pushes pixel-based content to new heights, with easily the most visually rich delivery so far. Despite being a slasher story, it had a perfect blend of gritty and beautiful elements and delivered an overall very satisfying experience. Bahnsen Knights, on the other hand, felt much darker and oppressive, with…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A very well written review that echoes my own thoughts on Bahnsen Knights, a short and sweet interactive fiction game that effortlessly lifted me away from my house and into this ominous, electric, violent, attractive world. I've yet to move on from it. www.eurogamer.net/bahnsen-knig...
positive · AI labelView post →An incredibly well done experience packed in just roughly 2 and a half hours. It's like playing a pulp comic book that's far above your average read. The writing, pacing, and artwork are all great. Well done for a bar that's not very high in the videogame genre. Definitely worth checking out if you're interested in trying out a visual novel.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →An agent goes undercover in a religious-tinged cult of the Ford Sierra with a charismatic leader. Gather evidence and try not to raise suspicions in this pulpy visual novel. If you've played any of the other Pixel Pulps (Mothmen 1966, Varney Lake, GrizzlyMan (which I haven't yet but it's next on the list)) you know what you're in for. Striking pixel art, terrific writing, and chewable atmosphere. And a clunky (optional) card game… There are a couple "action" sequences where you have to be…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The outstanding and alluring pixel art-style is what draws me to purchase it. But as soon as I started playing it, the story and the way the game expressed this short story is even more fascinating. Large areas of red and purple pixels create a depressing and mysterious atmosphere, which perfectly fit with the storyline. And it's also interesting that this game used concise text to create many characters with distinct personalities. ps: also giving me some sort of Pulp Fiction feel.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Quite a good game, as for me. Love the novel, colors and tension. The only disadvantages that it's kinda the same story as "Mothmen", even some sounds are the same. They couldn't compose a 100% of various songs. Also, freaking card game - even worse than in "Mothmen". Stupid random card drop and idiotic number 48. I don't understand who was that idiot, who created a solitaire in this game. 6/10.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Very conflicted on Bahnsen Knights. This is the first game from LCB I've played, so the style in which you play is a little new, but not completely foreign to me, as I have played visual novel games before. I did love the style overall. Both in the overall tone in how the story played out, as well as the the frames in how it was presented (and the color tone). On the other hand, I would say that for a game this short (which is great and not a negative), it is important that every story beat…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Another great visual novel from the "Pixel pulp"-series. This one isn't so much horror as a thriller where you infiltrate a cult obsessed with tornados. Love the way of these games are made and presented. They all ooze style and have very solid writing in the style they are going for. It's like a interactive version of the good kind of b-movie schlock you found in the darkest corners of the VHS rental store (yes.... I'm that old that I remember renting VHS).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played Mothmen 1966 and generally enjoyed it and was really taken in by the aesthetic of this new Pixel Pulps entry. I did enjoy it overall, but this one just didn't feel quite as polished as that one. As usual, the low colour 8-bit look and feel is spot on here. This is a fictional story of investigating a cult in the 80s in a weird world where extreme tornadoes are frequent, though society seems to be carrying on. All perfect pulp storytelling material. Granted, I haven't done multiple…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great interactive narrative experience and art style! Looking forward to playing the rest of the seriesl
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Evening everygobby! Tonight we kick off the week with Bahnsen Knights! The third game of the Pixel Pulps Collection! Ripping through at 8pm EST! #VroidVtuber
neutral · AI labelView post →Finished Not Tonight 2. Really enjoyed the story, still prefer the first one though. Also played through Bahnsen Knights! Interesting game but very, short. The art is pretty cool though, I have to say! #indiegames store.steampowered.com/app/1933190/...
neutral · AI labelView post →really fun mystery adventure with a great and interesting story
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Pretty good! I just wish it was longer.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I played all of LCB Pixel Pulps, all of them have magic behind them. They suck you in and suddenly it's 2am. The writing is awesome and the art is so unique. Nico and Fer did it again!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I was a big fan of Mothmen 1966 and I'm already incredibly intrigued by the setup here. I love how LCB peppers in quick mini-games that help round out the story and flesh out the visual novel genre. Like the previous games, the visuals and sounds are ON POINT with the ZX Spectrum inspiration - the atmosphere is unmatched. Also cracked up at the ITSYL reference - but I'll stay quiet on that so people can find it themselves :)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A tense and taut thriller, sucking me right in. On my first playthrough but sounds like there's replay value. Great game to dip in and out of but remember to save!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🔴LIVE NOW🔴 My net is working so time for MORE DEMOS!!! Here's our list for today: Mossroot Love's Crescendo Leila Bahnsen Knights Fish Game www.twitch.tv/sesurescue
neutral · AI labelView post →This one just didn't resonate with me. The pixel art is gorgeous, and the mysterious cult of the Bahnsen Knights was interesting enough. Unfortunately, the story never fully captivated me. A part of that comes down to the protagonist, Boulder. The game gives very little background on him beyond the fact that he has a wife and child. While that is meant to establish stakes, it wasn't enough for me to become emotionally invested in his journey. As a result, I wasn't too concerned with his…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Game is good. I saw how low the review count was and had to chime in. Play the game. The style and world building are something you don’t see very frequently in games. Even when you solve one mystery there are many that will never get solved. This game isn’t for everyone but if you look at the screenshots and feel something then it’s for you.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🎁 Giveaway Saturday! Today's game: Bahnsen Knights — a gritty pixel pulp thriller where you go deep undercover in a car cult tearing through Tornado Alley. Choose your own adventure, stay alive. 🌪️To enter: 🆓 Free to Enter👉 Must Follow to enter, Type !Enter once Following. Good luck chat! 🐱🔫
neutral · AI labelView post →A good game. With a unique artstyle. The story is quiet unique for a game too. In that your an unddercover agent. Wish more games did that the. The tory i fine. I like that the game does have some mini game do witch things up. The characters is fine. Even if I wish there was a little more resolution. The ending is also fine. Still it would be could if you choice had a little more to say. Still the story is dark, gritty and good. The music is also fine. An overall good game.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Another great visual novella from LCB. Probably the most interesting premise and world out of the four they have currently released. Pixel art and atmosphere are great as always.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Bahnsen Knights is a short pixel art interactive story built around simple choices, usually leading to death or progress. The retry system is forgiving, so mistakes never feel punishing. There are a few light mini-games, but the focus is on the story of going undercover in a religious cult. I enjoyed how brief and focused it was. The pixel art, music, and sound design reminded me of Faith.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Time for another Let's Play for @cultteaanddice.bsky.social , as we look at the third Pixel Pulp game: Bahnsen Knights youtu.be/MfDXezpyiHk
neutral · AI labelView post →
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