a pet shop after dark
- August 30, 2022
- npckc
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
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.
Mac OS
PC
Windows
Linux
Reviews
- The game features innovative and clever puzzles that require players to think outside the box, often involving interaction with game files.
- The art style is cute and charming, contributing to a unique atmosphere that blends horror with a lighthearted aesthetic.
- The story is engaging and offers a fun twist, making it a memorable experience for players who enjoy meta-narratives.
- Some puzzles can be overly complex or frustrating, leading to a sense of confusion and requiring external help to solve.
- The game lacks a replay option, which limits players' ability to revisit the experience or explore different outcomes after completion.
- The price point may feel high for the short playtime and minimal content, leading some players to feel it should be more affordable.
- story23 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is a unique blend of horror and whimsy, reminiscent of "Pet Shop of Horrors," featuring clever player interaction and unexpected plot twists. While some reviewers found the narrative engaging and well-presented, others noted its linearity and minimalistic design, suggesting that it lacks depth and groundbreaking elements. Overall, the story is considered enjoyable and fun, though it may not leave a lasting impact for all players.
“Other than that, I liked the story and premise of this game as 'horror' and 'pet shop' in one, reminding me of 'Pet Shop of Horrors' and 'Little Shop of Horrors.'”
“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/puzzle solutions.”
“The story isn't anything groundbreaking; it's not super intriguing that blows 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.”
“Since the story is linear, there are no choices presented.”
- gameplay20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this horror point-and-click game is characterized by its unique mechanics, including fourth wall-breaking elements and puzzles that require interaction with game files, creating a refreshing and engaging experience. While the core mechanics are well-executed and enjoyable, some puzzles can be challenging, leading to moments of frustration. Overall, the gameplay emphasizes collaboration between the player and the protagonist, enhanced by cute visuals and eerie music, making it a compelling choice for puzzle enthusiasts.
“A cute little short horror point & click game that has its spooks and interesting mechanics.”
“The unusual way the gameplay takes place both in the game’s application and its files is refreshing and fun and makes it feel as though the player and protagonist are working as a team to take care of the pet shop and solve its mysteries.”
“A really fun mystery that makes use of its nature as a computer game to offer unique mechanics.”
“However, the gameplay is the actual main focus of this visual novel, so I'll now move onto that part.”
“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.”
- graphics9 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a unique blend of cute and eerie elements, featuring a black-and-white art style that enhances its horror theme. While some users noted a lack of interactivity and visuals, many praised the charming character designs and distinct aesthetic that effectively complement the gameplay and storytelling. Overall, the art style and music create a memorable atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression.
“The graphics and story are great!”
“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.”
“Because it has that horror theme going on, the art style also reflects that, with the sprites being black and white and the backgrounds having very little color.”
“The characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
- music8 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its minimalist and eerie qualities that enhance the atmosphere, while others find it repetitive and jarring over time. While the tracks are generally enjoyable and complement the visuals, a few users noted that the looping nature of the music can become overwhelming, detracting from the overall experience.
“Great minimalist art design and fairly good music and sound effects.”
“In regards to the music, I enjoyed listening to the tracks.”
“The characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
“Leading with the cons since I ultimately don't recommend this game: 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 cute visuals and eerie music provide an aesthetic as distinct as the gameplay and help bring the different scenes to life, despite some repetition in the audio.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as spooky rather than intensely scary, featuring a charming and fun art style that enhances the overall experience. The combination of engaging characters, music, and unnerving elements creates a compelling environment, complemented by enjoyable puzzles.
“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.”
“Spooky, fun puzzles, great atmosphere, characters I would like to hug.”
“It's tagged as horror, but I wouldn't say it's very scary; rather, it has more of a spooky atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and immersion that a horror game should provide.”
“Despite the dark setting, the atmosphere fails to evoke any real sense of dread or fear.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game appears to be tied to the protagonist's role as a petsitter, suggesting potential in-game purchases or microtransactions related to pet care or customization. However, specific details on pricing or monetization strategies were not provided in the reviews. Overall, players seem to have mixed feelings about how monetization impacts their experience.
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is characterized as a semi-spooky horror experience rather than a traditional emotional visual novel, featuring intriguing puzzles and a captivating premise that engages players in a unique way.
“Instead of an emotional visual novel, it's a semi-spooky horror game that messes with you a bit, offers really interesting puzzles, and has a captivating hook.”
