Lake is a beautiful, story-driven game set during the 1980s in the idyllic lakeside town of Providence Oaks. You play as Meredith Weiss, who finds herself returning to her quiet hometown. It's quite the contrast to the busy city life she's used to, as she takes on the role of a mail carrier for two weeks.
The game is very laidback and narrative-driven. You can go at your own pace, simply doing your job and reconnecting with the locals. Along the way, there are ten secret achievements you can unlock. Although they are pretty simple to achieve, some are missable if you do not take specific paths. So, here is how you unlock them all.
Warning: There will be minor spoilers for the game.
10 Cat Lover
One of the first things you'll learn about playing this game is that you can miss some opportunities. This is the case with the Cat Lover achievement, which requires you to agree to deliver a cat named Mortimer around town.
There are two steps to unlock this achievement:
- On Day 3, when delivering a letter to 200 Lake Road, Mildred will ask if you could deliver Mortimer to the Vet. Accept this task and give Mortimer to Mr. Mackey at the Bait Shop.
- The following day, you can pick up Mortimer from Mr. Mackey and return him to his owner. As soon as you finish talking to Mildred, the achievement will unlock.
9 Movie Carrier
Another fun narrative you can explore during Lake is all about movies. You can help Angie with some much-needed deliveries at the movie tape store and unlock the Movie Carrier achievement.
There are a few steps to complete over multiple days:
- After delivering a parcel to the Flick Shack on day four, speak to Angie and agree to meet her at home.
- At home, agree to deliver the movies for her.
- The following day, deliver the movies to Lori at the Garage.
- On day six, you can pick up the movie box from Lori, return it to Angie, and then agree to take them to Mr. Mackey at the bait shop.
- On day eight, you can collect the movies from Mr. Mackey and return them to Angie.
- Angie will invite you to watch a movie. Say yes, and the achievement will unlock.
8 Workaholic
Although Lake is primarily a relaxing game, you can keep completing work assignments for Steve to unlock the Workaholic achievement.
Here are the steps required:
- On the evening on day three, agree to help Steve when he calls you.
- On the fourth day, select to work on the Addit '87 material instead of relaxing.
- Steve will call again on day seven. Agree to his offer. The following morning, you'll pick up the contracts he wants you to work on.
- You will get yet another call on day nine, and then you must review Steve's contracts.
With all the work done, the achievement will unlock in the morning.
7 Shutter Bug
During your stay, you'll get to test your photography skills. Taking 12 photos for Nancy will unlock the Shutter Bug achievement.
The steps to complete this achievement are as follows:
- On the fifth day, go to the general store, speak to Nancy, and express your interest in photography.
- Accept the offer to test out her camera.
- Take all 12 photos and return to the store to drop the camera back off the following day.
- On the eighth day, return to the general store again to see how the photos have developed. After selecting an image to enter the competition, the achievement will unlock.
6 Higher Ground
The town of Providence Oaks might not be a massive, replayable open world, but it still has a few different locations to find. For the Higher Ground achievement, you need to locate the Church. Drive your van right up to the entrance to ensure the achievement triggers, and then get out of the van.
You can unlock this achievement as early as your second day in the game, as soon as you have access to the van. The Church is located just off the main street in town, down the very end of a winding road.
5 Tower Watcher
The lovely views are part of the joy of a game as relaxing as Lake. The Watchtower gives you a fantastic view of the entire lake. If you reach the tower's top floor, you will unlock the Tower Watcher achievement. The Watchtower is located in the map's southwest. You'll see a Hiking Trail sign from the main road at the Woods fast travel point. Follow that trail to reach the tower.
There is a moment in the story where you will go to the Watchtower with Kay. This cutscene does not count as visiting the tower. So, once it's finished, climb up the stairs again to unlock the achievement and enjoy the scenic view once more.
4 Metal Detector
Andy, the detectorist, acts as a random social encounter in the game. It can be a little unexpected where he pops up. So, when you spot him, make sure to talk to him to unlock the Metal Detector achievement.
One of the earliest times you might spot him is when you deliver mail to the farm on day five. He won't be too far from the road, using his metal detector in the fields. If you miss him, you'll likely spot him at various other points during your stay in town. He can sometimes be seen at the Campground on day 11 or at the Motel around day 14.
3 Hometowner
When playing Lake for the first time, it is helpful to know that there are multiple endings you can achieve. The first of these endings will unlock the Hometowner achievement. If you wish to get all of these endings in one playthrough, make sure that you save on day 13, so you can reload to unlock the other endings.
On day 15, when speaking to Frank, he will ask you if you wish to stay or leave. Make sure to tell him that you want to keep wearing the uniform for a bit longer. You have decided to stay in Providence Oaks. This will start a cutscene of Meredith driving around in the mail van, continuing to do her job. The credits will roll, and the achievement will unlock for you.
2 Life In The Fast Lane
The second ending you can aim for sees Meredith giving up the peaceful life of her hometown to go back to the city and her successful career. You will unlock the Life In The Fast Lane achievement by deciding to leave.
To do this, you need to reach day 15 and when speaking to Frank, let him know that you will be taking the uniform off and leaving town. A cutscene will begin with Frank driving you to the airport. The credits will start, and the achievement will unlock.
1 Free Spirit
If you play through the story a third time (or reload a save), you can unlock the third possible ending of the game. The Free Spirit achievement is the only ending that requires some setup beforehand.
- During your stay in Providence Oaks, you will eventually take a letter to the Campground and be gifted an RV from Mickey and June that you will need to repair.
- On day 11, you need to ensure that you do not gift the RV to Lori at the Garage.
- Then on day 15, when talking to Frank, you will now have an option to say that you will be going on a road trip instead of sticking around or going back to the city. Say that you will leave town and select the road trip option.
As the credits roll, you will either be seen going on a road trip alone or with Angie (if you have been romancing her throughout the game and accepted her offer to join you). Either way, the achievement will unlock as the credits roll on this beautiful lakeside game.