"Late Shift" is a FMV game where player choices determine the outcome of the story. You play as Matt, a student who gets caught up in a high-stakes London heist at a famous auction house. With multiple branching storylines and 7 different endings, your decisions will shape the course of the night.
High production values with impressive cinematography and acting.
Engaging story with multiple endings that encourage replayability.
Decisions feel impactful and create tension throughout the gameplay.
Lack of a skip button for previously viewed scenes makes replaying tedious.
Many choices feel inconsequential, leading to a sense of railroading in the narrative.
Short playtime of around 1-2 hours may not justify the full price for some players.
story
1,260 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
58%
4%
The story of "Late Shift" is a gripping, interactive crime thriller that immerses players in a high-stakes narrative where their choices significantly impact the outcome. While the production quality and acting are praised, some reviewers note that the plot can feel linear and contains inconsistencies, with many choices leading back to predetermined story beats. Overall, it offers an engaging experience with multiple endings, though the lack of a skip feature for repeated playthroughs can detract from its replayability.
“Late Shift is an outstanding achievement in the realm of interactive storytelling, offering a thrilling and immersive experience that feels like starring in your very own high-stakes crime movie.”
“The narrative, penned by the writer of the 2009 'Sherlock Holmes' film, is engaging and well-paced, with a storyline that feels both cinematic and interactive.”
“The story is gripping and well-paced, with believable dialogue and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
“The story was boring and a lot of the choices are just giving you the illusion of choice when they say choices matter.”
“The story is very linear. Except for a few events, everything will bring you to the same point without actual impact on the story path.”
“The choices you make really change the storyline and other character's feelings about you, but many of the endings rest on plot holes or just unrealistic behavior from the protagonist or other characters that make you feel cheated.”
music
148 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
70%
2%
The music in the game is generally praised for its immersive and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the tension and drama of the story. However, a common complaint is that the soundtrack is often too loud, overshadowing dialogue and making it difficult to hear character interactions, which can detract from the overall experience. While players appreciate the emotional impact of the music, many suggest adjusting the volume settings to achieve a better balance between music and dialogue.
“The game can really keep up with some film productions in terms of music and sound design, as well as editing and camera work, and the actors do a really good job.”
“The music enhances key moments and adds to the overall atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack fits perfectly, especially the opening and transitional pieces of music.”
“The only actual complaint is that the music is way too loud, as the characters are talking in some scenes the music will go over them.”
“The music can overwhelm the conversation at a few points.”
“My only genuine complaint is that the music was a little too loud in sections and drowned out a few of the lines of dialogue mildly (the game does have subtitles, though), and there is no way to modify the music volume separately in the audio options.”
replayability
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
62%
12%
The game's replayability is a mixed bag; while it boasts multiple endings and meaningful choices that encourage exploration of different narrative paths, the lack of a skip or fast-forward option for previously viewed scenes significantly hampers the experience. Many players find themselves deterred from replaying due to the tediousness of rewatching the same content, despite the potential for varied outcomes. Overall, while there is some replay value, particularly with seven different endings, the execution leaves much to be desired.
“With seven different endings, 'Late Shift' offers significant replay value.”
“The choices you make directly impact the story's direction, leading to one of several different endings, which adds substantial replay value and depth.”
“This game has legit replayability value.”
“It's a fun story, but the lack of a skip button makes it almost unreplayable.”
“However, the replay value is the weakest aspect of the game because, unlike most visual novels, there’s no option to skip already viewed scenes.”
“The biggest downside to come from this game is the lack of a 'chapter select' or even an 'undo' option because, as a game that prides itself on being full of so many different replayability options, having to replay the entirety of the movie just to change one choice for a different ending is quite tedious.”
gameplay
123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
83%
6%
The gameplay in "Late Shift" is primarily focused on decision-making, offering an intuitive and cinematic experience that emphasizes narrative over traditional gaming mechanics like combat or puzzles. While the branching storylines and impactful choices provide some replayability, many players find the gameplay limited and repetitive, with a lack of interactive elements that may not satisfy those seeking a more engaging gaming experience. Overall, it serves as a compelling interactive movie, but its minimal gameplay may deter players looking for more substantial mechanics.
“The decision-making mechanics are intuitive and fluid, allowing you to shape the story without breaking its cinematic flow.”
“The game's engaging narrative and impactful choices make it a memorable experience, though its limited gameplay mechanics may not appeal to everyone.”
“Intuitive gameplay mechanics: the decision-making mechanic in 'Late Shift' is intuitive and stress-inducing, with choices that appear at critical moments, requiring quick thinking and often moral deliberation.”
“The interactive elements are primarily focused on making choices, which may feel limited compared to more traditional gameplay mechanics.”
“While the branching narrative is a strength, some players may find that the core gameplay experience can become repetitive after multiple playthroughs.”
“The gameplay is your standard choose-your-own-adventure type experience with little deviation.”
graphics
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
The graphics in the game have received widespread acclaim for their stunning quality and lifelike realism, often compared to cinematic experiences. Many users highlight the impressive art direction, detailed animations, and effective use of lighting, which enhance the overall immersion and narrative. While some reviews note that the gameplay may not be particularly challenging, the visuals are consistently praised as a standout feature that elevates the experience.
“The visuals are stunning, and the sound design perfectly complements the narrative, building tension and heightening the drama.”
“The graphics are so lifelike, they have to be seen to be believed.”
“Great visuals, art direction, and cinematography.”
“I felt that the time given to the player to make the choices (around 2-3 seconds) and the choices themselves were nicely implemented and didn't disrupt the flow of the narrative and actually enhanced the immersion (too bad the writer(s) did everything in his/her/their power to destroy any immersion the visuals, acting, sound, and music had created)”
“I’m sure there were some minor CG to fix errors in filming or production, but the point is, this is a film, not really a video game graphics and as such it’s hard to really evaluate it, though I can make a number of jokes calling this the most realistic looking game.”
“So it does not make sense to go into graphics, gameplay, optimization etc.”
optimization
47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
48%
9%
Overall, the optimization of the game is generally well-received, with smooth performance and impressive cinematography that enhances the viewing experience. While some users noted minor stuttering issues, the high-quality acting and solid production values contribute positively to the game's immersive narrative. However, a few reviews expressed disappointment with certain performances and suggested that further optimization could improve the overall experience.
“The performances are high for an FMV, and the protagonist does an excellent job of convincing the player you are in his shoes as you follow his train of thought throughout the film.”
“It's a very stylish and well-produced piece with some impressive settings and good performances, with choices that do make a difference to how the story turns out.”
“There's no intermissions or loading screens; it just runs smoothly, making it nice to watch for others who aren't playing as well.”
“A bit more optimization would've been preferred.”
“Stay away from this piece of unoptimized crap if you don't want to lose your money and your patience.”
“The performance of the actors were subpar - the way some of them deliver their lines were as wooden as an old weathered picnic table.”
atmosphere
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its sleek cinematography and immersive London setting, which effectively enhances tension and emotional engagement. The well-crafted environments, combined with a fitting and atmospheric soundtrack, contribute to a believable and captivating experience that encourages replayability. Overall, players appreciate the blend of strong storytelling, decent acting, and the emotional weight of the choices they make within this atmospheric framework.
“The sleek, stylish cinematography perfectly captures the mood of its London setting, while the atmospheric score heightens the tension and complements the story’s emotional beats.”
“The London setting is beautifully captured, contributing to the game's immersive atmosphere.”
“Detailed environments: the settings, from upscale hotels to shadowy alleyways, are well-crafted and enhance the atmosphere of tension and intrigue.”
“Movie tries to create the atmosphere, but since you have already seen everything that is going to happen, it just becomes really frustrating to watch the film.”
“Decent music adds to the atmosphere of the game.”
“Letting you make choices combined with the music and atmosphere makes it one of the most emotional, mind-consuming experiences ever.”
grinding
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
4%
91%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating due to the inability to skip scenes or access chapters individually after the first playthrough. This lack of options makes achieving different endings feel like a chore, as players must repeatedly watch the same content, detracting from the overall enjoyment and replayability of the game. While the game offers multiple endings and achievements, the grinding experience is marred by its repetitive nature.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The content itself is overall okay, but you can't skip or fast-forward anything even after the first run, which makes achievement grinding extremely painful.”
“It was a little tedious trying to see all available endings as the game only allowed one saved game and you couldn't access the chapters individually - you had to play the whole thing again.”
“The biggest downside to come from this game is the lack of a 'chapter select' or even an 'undo' option because, as a game that prides itself on being full of so many different replayability options, having to replay the entirety of the movie just to change one choice for a different ending is quite tedious.”
emotional
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
83%
17%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its moral dilemmas and high-stakes choices, which create a deep investment in the characters and their fates. The combination of stylish cinematography, atmospheric music, and strong voice acting enhances the emotional impact, leading to moments of genuine connection and even tears for some players. However, critiques mention that the story can feel boring or lacking depth, suggesting a desire for more meaningful choices and character development.
“The moral dilemmas and high-stakes choices add an emotional depth that keeps you invested in Matt's fate from start to finish.”
“Every choice you make reverberates through a beautifully acted and directed storyline, offering a level of emotional connection rarely found in gaming.”
“The music was beautiful and I developed an emotional attachment to each character.”
“I do appreciate the enthusiasm of the actors, but it's a really boring story.”
“Boring story, terrible acting, bad implementation, pseudo-choices.”
stability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, particularly with video playback and freezing issues during key moments. Many players have spent significant time troubleshooting these problems, which detracts from the overall experience. While some minor glitches exist, the game is generally considered too buggy for a non-early access title, impacting its enjoyment.
“I encountered tons of glitches with the video playback.”
“Been trying to play this for a few days now and when it gets to the point where they're in the Maserati, it freezes up.”
“The main gripe that I had was I had to spend about a half hour before I could play the game troubleshooting why the videos wouldn't play when I started the game and had to test their troubleshooting steps on the forums one by one until something worked.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of absurd situations, witty dialogue, and amusing character interactions, with players highlighting moments like the ridiculous protection of a valuable artifact and the comedic portrayal of characters. While some reviewers noted that the humor may not reach the heights of iconic British films, it still delivers plenty of laughs through clever writing and funny bugs. Overall, the game's comedic elements contribute to an entertaining experience, even if they lack a certain cultural flair.
“This is mean but too funny to take the high road!”
“Protecting a 10 million pound Ming dynasty bowl with a single sheet of bubble wrap was pretty funny, though.”
“The Cantonese spoken by those triad members was hilarious.”
character development
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
24%
38%
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the well-rounded and relatable characters, others criticize the lack of depth and poor decision-making by the main character. The acting is noted to enhance the experience, but the rapid progression of character arcs and weak story elements detract from the overall impact for some reviewers. Overall, the character development varies significantly, leading to differing opinions on its effectiveness.
“The characters, including the protagonist and various allies and antagonists, are well-developed and relatable.”
“Tremendous replay value, interesting plot line, believable character development deviations.”
“The character development is awesome.”
“Poor character development; the main character makes some dumb choices without your input.”
“Weak character development and a weak story.”
“The plot thickens exponentially without any character development.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews suggest that the game's monetization strategy is perceived as a cash grab, with players feeling that the developers prioritized profit over quality and responsiveness. This has led to skepticism about the game's value and integrity.
“The laziness in the coding of this game and the unresponsiveness from the devs makes me think it was more of a quick cash grab.”
“I initially passed on this game because it was being pushed hard by Microsoft on Xbox One, so I figured it was another cash grab.”