
Varney Lake
Summer, 1954. A perfect vacation awaits three best friends, playing games, making crazy plans, and running from bullies... Until they meet the vampire. What really happened that summer at Varney Lake?
Developer
Publisher
Release
April 28, 2023
3 years and 97 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive73 reviews98.6%
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Game contextLatest: IGF Team
| ContextThe evidence factors used to assess whether this game belongs on IndieGame.Fan. | Status | Notes Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes |
|---|---|---|
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer. | ||
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher. | The separate publisher has a broad catalog or developer network in the local database. | |
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released. | The game was released through a separate publisher. |
Media
6 itemsAbout the Game
What really happened at Varney Lake?

1954. During the long, hot summer, Jimmy, Doug and Christine are spending their fourth vacation together at Varney Lake. Teenage crushes, pranks and card tricks, long days of adventure, a pipe dream of saving the local drive-in from demolition; they’re kids, coming of age.
Until they find the Vampire.
1981. Lou Hill, paranormal investigator, has a lead on a mind-blowing case. Will he be able to convince the now 40-something Christine and Jimmy to tell him the truth about that Summer? Do they even know themselves?
And what really happened to Doug?

Features
Varney Lake, is for anyone who enjoys fine storytelling and engaging puzzles:
The follow-up to Mothmen 1966
Varney Lake is the second of the Pixel Pulps; a new series of interactive adventures created by novelist Nico Saraintaris and artist Fernando Martinez Ruppel. Pixel Pulps tell gripping stories inspired by mid-20th century pulp fiction and illustrated by 80s home computer-inspired graphics. The Pixel Pulps Collection comprises three games: Mothmen 1966, Varney Lake, and Bahnsen Knights.

1954. During the long, hot summer, Jimmy, Doug and Christine are spending their fourth vacation together at Varney Lake. Teenage crushes, pranks and card tricks, long days of adventure, a pipe dream of saving the local drive-in from demolition; they’re kids, coming of age.
Until they find the Vampire.
1981. Lou Hill, paranormal investigator, has a lead on a mind-blowing case. Will he be able to convince the now 40-something Christine and Jimmy to tell him the truth about that Summer? Do they even know themselves?
And what really happened to Doug?

Features
Varney Lake, is for anyone who enjoys fine storytelling and engaging puzzles:
- Search for the truth in the nostalgic, branching narrative
- Immerse yourself in the story with its rich, evocative illustrations
- Witness the fate of Varney Lake’s characters in ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ style gameplay
- Solve accessible, brain-tickling puzzles along the way
- Learn more of Lou Hill, the Pixel Pulps' recurring investigator
The follow-up to Mothmen 1966
Varney Lake is the second of the Pixel Pulps; a new series of interactive adventures created by novelist Nico Saraintaris and artist Fernando Martinez Ruppel. Pixel Pulps tell gripping stories inspired by mid-20th century pulp fiction and illustrated by 80s home computer-inspired graphics. The Pixel Pulps Collection comprises three games: Mothmen 1966, Varney Lake, and Bahnsen Knights.