a pet shop after dark
- August 30, 2022
- npckc
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Get on itch.io Store"A Pet Shop After Dark" is a horror point-and-click adventure game, where you take on an odd job at a pet shop and are tasked with watering plants, feeding pets, and staying the night, with a strong emphasis on not turning off the lights. The game features a mysterious pet shop to explore, invisible pets to feed, strange plants to water, and puzzle elements. Crashes are intentional and headphones are recommended for an enhanced experience.
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Reviews
- The game features unique and clever puzzles that require players to think outside the box, often involving file manipulation.
- The art style is adorable and contributes to a charming atmosphere, making the game visually appealing.
- It's a short but enjoyable experience, with a fun and intriguing story that keeps players engaged.
- The game lacks replayability, as players cannot start over from the beginning after completing it.
- Some puzzles can be overly complex or confusing, leading to frustration for players who may struggle to find solutions.
- The price point may feel high for the short playtime and minimal content, leaving some players wanting more.
- story26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The story of "Pet Shop After Dark" is a unique blend of horror and whimsy, reminiscent of classic tales like "Pet Shop of Horrors," featuring clever fourth wall breaks and interactive elements that engage players. While some find the narrative intriguing with unexpected twists, others criticize it for being minimalistic and not particularly groundbreaking. Overall, the storytelling is appreciated for its charm and creativity, despite some design flaws in puzzles and pacing.
“An interesting storyline that interacts with the player in a clever way.”
“It feels like a really good mixture of Oneshot + classic RPG Maker horror + visual novel; it's super well presented and I did not expect some of the plot twists and puzzle solutions.”
“A mysterious pet/plant shop where you have to work for one day and one night... minimalistic design, but the story is well written and so interactive.”
“The story isn't anything groundbreaking; it's not super intriguing and doesn't blow your mind, but it's passable.”
“I managed to get through the entire story in an hour; there are very few visuals and very few things to interact with in the game.”
“The story is too minimalistic, the protagonist will not shut up, and the puzzles are poorly designed - in particular, the very first real puzzle throws a curveball at you by making you associate three circles with three rings instead of properly putting your mindset into the intended puzzle.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by unique and interesting mechanics that enhance the puzzle-solving experience in this short horror point-and-click game. While the plot and character development may not be as strong as in previous titles, the emphasis on gameplay and the clever integration of puzzles make it enjoyable, albeit occasionally challenging. Overall, it is recommended for puzzle enthusiasts who appreciate innovative gameplay elements.
“A nice little puzzle game with a very well executed core mechanic.”
“A really fun mystery that makes use of its nature as a computer game to offer unique mechanics.”
“Loved how puzzle solutions are related to places you wouldn't usually associate with typical gameplay.”
“There is a plot, but the characters aren't as fleshed out as in npckc's previous games, and the emphasis is much more on the gameplay.”
“I played the original version before the commercial release, and basically this adds more gameplay and the puzzles can be much more devious.”
“A point-and-click adventure game with unique mechanics that you may or may not already be familiar with.”
- music12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its minimalist charm and its contribution to the game's atmosphere, others find it repetitive and jarring over time, leading to frustration. Overall, the sound design is noted as fairly good, but the looping nature of the music can detract from the experience, especially during longer play sessions.
“The art is very cute and the music hits great.”
“The characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
“Great minimalist art design and fairly good music and sound effects.”
“The music makes your brain bleed (seriously, sounds like a small issue but made me want to clunk my head against the table).”
“The music started getting jarring after a couple of hours because it's a little piano piece looping.”
“The music contributes to the unnerving atmosphere of the game, but it can become overwhelming.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and cute art style, particularly praised for the delightful drawings of the characters, such as the pets. While the visuals are limited and the game features minimal interaction, the unique art and atmosphere effectively enhance the storytelling and overall experience, making it memorable for players.
“The art style is so cute! I love the drawings of the pets; the little bird lad is my favorite <3.”
“I love the art style! Oh my god, it's so cute!!!”
“The characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
“I managed to get through the entire story in an hour; there are very few visuals and very few things to interact with in the game.”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as spooky rather than outright scary, featuring charming art and music that enhance its unnerving qualities. Overall, the combination of characters, art style, and sound design creates a compelling and engaging environment.
“The art and atmosphere were really charming and fun!”
“The characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
“It's tagged as horror, but I wouldn't say it's very scary; rather, it has more of a spooky atmosphere.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is characterized more by its semi-spooky horror elements and engaging puzzles than by emotional storytelling, providing a unique and intriguing experience rather than a deeply emotional one.
