a pet shop after dark
- August 30, 2022
- npckc
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.
Reviews
- The game features unique and clever puzzles that require players to think outside the box, often involving interaction with the computer's file system.
- The art style is adorable and contributes to a charming yet eerie atmosphere, making the game visually appealing.
- It's a short but enjoyable experience, with a compelling story that keeps players engaged and intrigued throughout.
- The game lacks a replay option, which can be frustrating for players who want to experience it again or complete all achievements.
- Some puzzles can be overly complex or confusing, leading to moments of frustration for players trying to progress.
- The game may feel overpriced for its short playtime and minimal content, with some players suggesting it should be cheaper.
- story13 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The story of the game is a unique blend of horror and charm, reminiscent of "Pet Shop of Horrors," featuring clever fourth wall breaks and interactive elements that engage players. While some reviewers found the narrative to be minimalistic and not groundbreaking, others appreciated its intriguing twists and well-written dialogue, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience. The game's art style and presentation further enhance the storytelling, making it a memorable indie title despite its brevity.
“Although, Pet Shop After Dark is its own unique dark story.”
“An interesting storyline that interacts with the player in a clever way.”
“A mysterious pet/plant shop where you have to work for 1 day and 1 night... minimalistic design, but the story is well written and so interactive.”
“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.”
“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.”
- gameplay10 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its unique mechanics and engaging puzzles, making it a standout point-and-click horror adventure. While the plot and character development may not be as strong as in previous titles, the emphasis on innovative gameplay and challenging puzzles provides a rewarding experience for puzzle enthusiasts. Overall, players appreciate the clever design and the balance between challenge and fairness in the gameplay.
“A nice little puzzle game with a very well executed core mechanic.”
“A point-and-click adventure game with unique mechanics that you may or may not already be familiar with.”
“A really fun mystery that makes use of its nature as a computer game to offer unique mechanics.”
“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.”
“Loved how puzzle solutions are related to places you wouldn't usually associate with typical gameplay.”
- music6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate its minimalist charm and contribution to the overall atmosphere, others find it repetitive and jarring, particularly due to its looping nature. Overall, the sound design is noted as fairly good, but it can become overwhelming over extended play sessions.
“Great minimalist art design and fairly good music and sound effects.”
“The art is very cute and the music hits great.”
“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 characters, art style, and music contribute well to the unnerving atmosphere of the game and make it compelling.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming and cute art style, particularly praised for the delightful drawings of the pets. While the visuals are limited and the interactive elements are few, the overall aesthetic effectively enhances the storytelling and contributes to the game's unique atmosphere.
“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.”
- atmosphere3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized as spooky rather than intensely scary, with a charming and fun art style that enhances the overall experience. The combination of characters, art, and music effectively creates an unnerving yet compelling ambiance.
“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.”
“The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the tension and immersion that a horror game should provide.”
“Despite its dark setting, the game fails to create a truly unsettling atmosphere, leaving me feeling more bored than frightened.”
- 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 on a psychological level.
“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.”
