WILL: Follow The Light Review 2026: A Nautical Adventure on Xbox

WILL: Follow The Light is a first-person action-adventure game developed by Tomorrowhead Studio, released on May 7, 2026, for platforms including Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. While players often look toward major titles like Capcom's Resident Evil 9 or the legacy of characters like Leon Kennedy for their horror and narrative fix, this title offers a distinct, smaller-scale focus on grief, family dynamics, and the isolation of a lighthouse keeper in Norway.

At In Game News, our coverage aims to provide clarity for those deciding whether to add this title to their library. Following our assessment, we have assigned this game a score of 3.5/5. While it captures a specific maritime atmosphere effectively, its narrative structure falters in the final act, leaving the player with an experience that feels disconnected from its strong opening.

Understanding the Narrative and Atmosphere

The story centers on Will, a lighthouse keeper living on a remote island in Norway. The narrative begins with a focus on his personal loss—the death of his wife—and his subsequent separation from his son, who remains inland. A storm triggers a life-changing accident in the town where the son resides, prompting Will to travel to reunite with him. Upon arrival, Will discovers his son has left with an estranged grandfather to a distant, remote lighthouse. This journey serves as the primary hook for the game, blending physical travel with a spiritual exploration of Will’s internal struggle with grief.

The setting is one of the title's strongest assets. The maritime environment—filled with ships, coastal towns, and the titular lighthouses—is rendered with a focus on harsh, realistic conditions that contrast with the beauty of the Norwegian vistas. Tomorrowhead Studio incorporates supernatural elements that keep the player questioning the reality of Will’s experiences. These moments of ambiguity, where the line between dream and reality blurs, are supported by emotive writing, particularly found in the cassette tapes scattered throughout the world.

Gameplay Mechanics and Structure

What is the gameplay like in WILL: Follow The Light? The experience is categorized as a first-person action-adventure that relies on a mixture of exploration, puzzle-solving, and practical DIY tasks. The game presents a world that feels semi-open, though it remains a strictly guided and linear experience. Players spend a significant portion of their time traversing environments, moving from one point to another to uncover clues and interiors.

The puzzles are generally grounded in the environment. Players must locate codes to unlock safes, operate machinery, or decipher clues hidden within conversations and memories. A notable mechanic involves manual labor, such as the requirement to assemble a winch from scratch. This involves gathering individual components and piecing them together on a workbench, which adds a tactile element to the survival-adjacent tasks Will must perform.

Sailing is another core component of the experience. The developers have attempted to simulate the physical reality of operating a boat, requiring the player to manage rigging, sails, and rudders. Navigating through rough waters adds a layer of danger to the journey, emphasizing the physical toll of Will’s mission. However, these mechanics are secondary to the narrative, serving mostly to pace the story rather than provide a deep simulation.

Technical Performance on Xbox Series X

Playing on the Xbox Series X, the title maintains a consistent performance profile. The visual fidelity of the coastal environments benefits from the hardware, particularly in the lighting effects used to convey the atmosphere of the lighthouses and the stormy seas. Given that this is a new studio, the technical execution is stable, with no significant frame rate drops or game-breaking bugs noted during our testing period.

The transition between the exploration segments and the puzzle-solving interfaces is smooth, which is essential for maintaining the immersion that the developers clearly prioritized. For those curious about the platform experience, the controls are responsive, making the manual tasks like winch assembly feel deliberate rather than tedious.

The Final Act and Narrative Payoff

Despite the strong start and the emotional weight of the writing, the game struggles to maintain momentum. We found that the conclusion of the tale is ultimately unsatisfying. The narrative loses its way in the final third, and the emotional payoff that the game builds toward does not feel fully earned. While the journey is filled with high-quality writing and emotive moments, the resolution fails to provide the closure that the setup promises.

For players who value a tight, cohesive story, this final act may be a point of contention. However, for those who appreciate the atmospheric exploration and the mechanics of the maritime setting, the game still offers a unique experience that stands out from the typical action-adventure genre. It is a title that excels in the quiet moments of discovery but falters when it attempts to bring its disparate threads together for a climax.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the gameplay like in WILL: Follow The Light?
The gameplay is a first-person adventure that blends exploration, environmental puzzle-solving, and DIY mechanical tasks like assembling winches.

Is WILL: Follow The Light worth buying?
The game offers a compelling narrative and atmosphere, though the unsatisfying final act may deter players looking for a cohesive story conclusion.

What platforms is WILL: Follow The Light available on?
WILL: Follow The Light is available on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, as well as other platforms.