The PS5 version of Bright Lights of Svetlov is now available. Below, you can find a video of my full playthrough, including obtaining the platinum trophy, for this game running on a PlayStation 5 Pro (review code provided by Sometimes You):
You can read my short review of Bright Lights of Svetlov below:
Pros:
- Poignant story with an ending that sticks with you.
- Faithful recreation of family life during 1980s Soviet Union.
Cons:
- Textures sometime take a split second to load, creating distracting white artifacts.
- No manual or auto saves. You have to beat the game in one go.
Overall:
Bright Lights of Svetlov is a narrative-focused adventure game that takes a couple of hours to complete. The game does a great job at recreating the living quarters and family dynamics during the 1980s Soviet Union.
The story is easily the main reason to play this game. I won’t spoil much, but I think the ending will stick with you for a long time.
In terms of gameplay, you do a lot of mundane chores (fixing a room, doing dishes, cleaning tables, etc.) to move the plot along.
Unfortunately, there is no save point in the game, which means you have to beat the entire game in one go. If you closed the game by accident before beating it, you have to start all the way at the beginning.
Once you manage to complete it, the chapter select will be unlocked.
On the PlayStation 5 Pro, the game runs smoothly. Unfortunately, the game is plagued with texture load-in issues, which create the occasional immersion-breaking white artifacts.
Even with its faults, Bright Lights of Svetlov is worth playing just for the story. If the short length brothers you, then you can wait for the game to be discounted.