Joe's Diner

About

In Joe's Diner , you work as a holiday replacement at a diner built over an old Indian cemetery, where you must keep the peace between two rival chieftains through 30 night shifts. The game features atmospheric graphics, innovative gameplay, and the challenge of laying the chieftains to eternal rest. Keep the diner calm and avoid their wrath to succeed.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

43%

Audience ScoreBased on 98 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

The atmosphere of the game is well done, creating a sense of isolation and intrigue.
The concept of managing tasks in a diner with supernatural elements is interesting and has potential.
Some players find the game enjoyable and fun, especially if approached with low expectations.

The gameplay is repetitive and lacks depth, with little variation across the 30 levels.
There is a significant lack of horror elements, with the 'jumpscare' being just a static image.
Controls are clunky and the game can be frustrating due to poor hitbox detection and unclear sound direction.

gameplay
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
57%
14%
The gameplay has been criticized for its repetitive and simplistic mechanics, primarily involving pressing a single key repeatedly and managing time without introducing new elements or challenges. While some players find it enjoyable and challenging, especially in later levels, many feel that it lacks depth and innovation, leading to frustration rather than a sense of horror or urgency. Overall, the gameplay is seen as forgettable and tedious, diminishing the intended atmosphere of the game.
- “Gameplay ramps up at about level 10 and it's mostly RNG as to whether you can get all the trash thrown away before the timer runs out.”
- “I have mixed feelings about this game; I believe it can be fun for a certain group of people who rather enjoy a challenge than actual story or gameplay.”
- “Definitely recommend this game, fun and pretty scary considering I played it, but this is my opinion if you want to see the way the gameplay looks.”
- “Your 'innovative' gameplay consists of pressing E a hundred times.”
- “The sense of danger disappears, and the feeling of dread gets replaced by irritation because of repetitive gameplay.”
- “What I hate about this game is how the gameplay is literally picking up trash and turning off random appliances for 30 days.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by the antics of the mischievous ghost 'laughing bird,' who creates chaos by activating noisy appliances and leaving quirky items like rubber ducks and mouse traps around. Players find the ghost's playful yet annoying behavior amusing, with moments of levity stemming from his cheeky personality and antics, making the overall experience enjoyable and occasionally funny.
- “Making the task all that more difficult is the mischievous prankster ghost 'Laughing Bird' who loves to turn on noisy appliances in the hopes of awakening the ill-tempered 'Grim Feather' who will apparently scare you with a picture of himself.”
- “I'd even call this game cute at some point, because the spirit that is constantly calling a sex line while chuckling playfully is such a mischievous poltergeist!”
- “But all things considered, the game is still enjoyable, and even at times funny.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's story is minimal, featuring only a brief introductory cutscene, which has led to mixed reviews. Many players feel that the lack of a compelling narrative detracts from the overall experience, with some labeling it as unengaging and poorly executed. Overall, the focus seems to be more on gameplay challenges rather than storytelling.
- “As for the story, you get a small intro cutscene and that's it.”
- “Not scary and has a terrible story... do not buy!”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users appreciating its immersive quality, particularly in settings like an old shabby restaurant. Overall, it contributes significantly to the enjoyment of the experience.
- “The atmosphere is very good.”
- “Thumbs up for the atmosphere; it really enhances the experience.”
- “It attracts me with the atmosphere; I enjoy my experience in an old, shabby restaurant. It feels great.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
Users consistently find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, indicating a lack of enjoyment and engagement in repetitive tasks.
- “It's tedious.”
- “It's repetitive and feels like a chore.”
- “The grinding takes away from the enjoyment of the game.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably compromised by persistent bugs, particularly with shadows and reflections, which can be distracting for players. Despite being an indie title from 2015, these graphical issues detract from the overall experience.
- “Even though it's an indie game from 2015, the shadows and reflections in the game are absolutely obnoxious and buggy, honestly distracting at times.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are generally well-received, with multiple users noting that they are visually appealing.