Bahnsen Knights is an 80s-inspired adventure thriller in which you play as Boulder, a secret agent whose partner disappeared while investigating a gang called the Bahnsen Knights.

This gang is known for their obsession with fast cars and…tornadoes? It seems so. Add religious fanaticism to the mix for an even creepier combination.

They also have a no-nonsense leader, Toni (he’s a former car salesman, after all) and members who create dangerous situations wherever they go. It’s your job to find out what happened to your partner and shut down the Bahnsen Knights while keeping your identity a secret.

This is the third game in LCB Game Studio’s Pixel Pulps series, following Mothmen 1966 and Varney Lake, both of which are available for Switch. These visual novel stories are separate from each other, so feel free to skip straight to Bahnsen Knights if you haven’t tried the others yet.

Like them, however, The Bahnsen Knights have a complex and captivating story that keeps you on edge. You can make your own choices, explore your own areas, and even play mini-games. I liked that my choices mattered. Being able to unintentionally lead my character to get caught or even die kept the tension high throughout the game. If this happens, however, you will be returned to the choice that led to these results, so you can change your answer and continue playing.

The mini-games also help guide you in specific directions in the game. For example, the Bahnsen Knights have a game they like to play where they “spell the road.” You start the minigame by driving three other cars on a highway at high speed, trying to avoid other cars on the road. If you or one of your cars crashes, you die and the minigame stops. If you pass the minigame, the story continues and you gain respect from the leader. The controls for this game are simple and turn-based, reminiscent of actual handheld racing games from the era in which the game is set.

Speaking of that era, the pixel art style and bright colors of Bahnsen Knights are also a selling point. Immediately, the game draws you in with its pixel art style and bright colors. Bahnsen Knights uses its mid-80s setting to its advantage, incorporating lots of neon pink and blue to create that retro vibe. Contrasting this with the black shadows creates a super cool effect that adds to the eeriness of the game. When talking to different members of the Bahnsen Knights, their faces are covered in deep shadows and highlights, increasing their intimidation factor.

It’s worth noting that the game can be completed in less than three hours and doesn’t have much replay value. But that’s a good amount of time for a visual novel, and the game is priced accordingly. Whether you play The Bahnsen Knights as a movie in one go or split it up as a streaming series, fans of captivating stories and dark characters will enjoy every moment.