The Town of Light is a psychological adventure game set in the real-life Ospedale Psichiatrico di Volterra psychiatric hospital in Tuscany, Italy. The protagonist, Renée, was an inmate at the institution starting in 1938 at the age of sixteen. The game's storyline is presented through interactive flashbacks that switch between present and past, with Renée acting as an unreliable narrator due to her mental illness and hallucinations. This results in a lot being left for the player to interpret.
The gameplay revolves around exploring the abandoned hospital and its surroundings using a first-person perspective. Players can interact with objects, doors, and windows, and examine objects up close. A flashlight can be activated in dark environments, allowing infinite battery life. The game does not feature an inventory system, but certain objects can be carried for short periods of time.
The story is largely linear, but with a few twists. Players can access the synopsi menu to view written accounts, memories, and medical records, which provide insight into Renée's background and life story. The game consists of fifteen chapters, each acting as a checkpoint, and features branching storylines that introduce new events and interpretations based on player choices.
The gameplay includes environment-based puzzles that require interpretation. Players can use hints, audio cues, and the map to navigate. A diary can be accessed from the main menu where Renée explains her childhood experiences in written form. The game's atmosphere creates suspenseful moments, but it does not feature horror elements like jump scares or supernatural themes.
The Town of Light is exclusively intended for adult users due to its disturbing themes and events. The game presents a thought-provoking experience that requires patience and interpretation from the player.