Late Shift

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,642 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • replayability
Late Shift Game Cover
With the success of 2015’s Her Story, there seems to be somewhat of a resurgence of the FMV game genre.
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"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.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,642 reviews
story341 positive mentions
grinding12 negative mentions
  • High production values with great cinematography and acting.
  • Engaging story with multiple endings that encourage replayability.
  • Choices genuinely matter and affect the outcome of the story.
  • story853 mentions

    The story of "Late Shift" is a gripping, interactive narrative that combines elements of a heist thriller with player-driven choices, leading to multiple endings. While many players appreciate the engaging plot and high production values, some criticize its linearity and the illusion of choice, noting that early decisions often have minimal impact on the overall storyline. Overall, the game offers a compelling experience, though it may not satisfy those seeking a deeply intricate narrative.

    • “This game has a good storyline, plenty of choices and multiple endings.”
    • “The story is gripping and well-paced, with believable dialogue and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “Late shift is an interactive movie worth giving a chance, as the FMV style allows players to make a variety of decisions affecting the story in different ways to make this game more fun and interesting to sift through.”
    • “The story is very linear.”
    • “The choices you make really change the storyline and other character's feelings about you.”
    • “The story is doing everything it can to ensure that you follow the directions of others rather than choose for yourself.”
  • music105 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its quality and ability to enhance the atmosphere and tension of the narrative. However, many users have noted that the soundtrack is often too loud, overpowering dialogue in several scenes, which can detract from the overall experience. While the option to adjust audio settings exists, the lack of separate volume controls for music and dialogue has been a common complaint among players.

    • “The soundtrack of 'Late Shift' complements the action perfectly, enhancing the tension and drama as the story unfolds.”
    • “The music really builds up the tension, especially later on.”
    • “The music and acting are so good, so smooth, so beautifully done, and well executed that the whole game just flies by you leaving you with an ending of your own making.”
    • “The music was way louder than the dialogue.”
    • “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.”
    • “The subtitles were mandatory as the music drowns out the dialogue.”
  • replayability92 mentions

    Replayability in this game is a mixed bag; while it offers multiple endings and choices that encourage exploration, many players find the lack of a fast-forward or chapter select feature tedious, making repeated playthroughs feel repetitive. Some users appreciate the depth and value provided by the different outcomes, while others express frustration over the limited replay value due to the necessity of rewatching scenes. Overall, the game has potential for replayability, but its execution may deter players from multiple runs.

    • “The choices you make directly impact the story's direction, leading to one of several different endings, which adds substantial replay value and depth.”
    • “There are 7 endings to get, so that is where the replayability comes into play.”
    • “The story is nothing spectacular or revolutionary, but the replayability and different paths that you take will offer different experiences every time.”
    • “It is very difficult to recommend a game like this since replayability is terrible.”
    • “The main issue with this game is that you can't fast forward or skip through scenes that you have already seen, which honestly kills replayability for me.”
    • “The only problem I had was replayability; to experience the different endings, you have to go through the entire movie from the beginning, no chapter selections, etc.”
  • gameplay74 mentions

    The gameplay in "Late Shift" is primarily a choose-your-own-adventure format, characterized by intuitive decision-making mechanics that create a stress-inducing experience. While the high-quality production and engaging narrative are praised, many reviewers note that the gameplay is limited, often feeling more like an interactive movie with minimal player interaction and a lack of replayability features, such as a skip option for previously seen scenes. Overall, it offers a unique storytelling experience but may disappoint those seeking more substantial gameplay elements.

    • “Developed by ctrlmovie, this choose-your-own-adventure game elevates narrative-driven gameplay to a new level with its high-quality production and engaging storytelling.”
    • “Each scene is meticulously crafted, ensuring that the transitions between gameplay and narrative are seamless and fluid.”
    • “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.”
    • “Good game, good story, but entirely too short; sadly not worth the money for the little gameplay you receive.”
    • “The direction and acting are great, but unlike 'Her Story', this splits out as 95% film, 5% game, and for me the limited gameplay element detracted from the experience.”
    • “Gameplay is minimal, and where 'The Bunker' struck a decent balance, the lack of interaction here only serves to make the experience more of a slog.”
  • optimization37 mentions

    Overall, the optimization of "Late Shift" is generally well-received, with most users noting that the game runs smoothly without significant stuttering or loading issues. The performances and cinematography are praised for their quality, contributing to an immersive experience, although a few users mentioned minor stutters and a desire for features like scene skipping. While the acting is not universally acclaimed, it is considered solid and enhances the narrative effectively.

    • “They did a good job at making it run smoothly and seamlessly except for a few moments of stutter that were a bit noticeable.”
    • “There's no intermissions or loading screens, it just runs smoothly making it nice to watch for others who aren't playing as well.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 was subpar - the way some of them delivered their lines was as wooden as an old weathered picnic table.”
    • “Mediocre script & actor performance.”
  • graphics29 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many users praising their stunning quality, lifelike visuals, and impressive art direction that enhance the overall cinematic experience. The combination of beautiful graphics and effective sound design contributes to a gripping narrative, making players feel deeply engaged in the story. While some users noted that graphics may not be the primary focus for everyone, the consensus is that they significantly elevate the game's appeal.

    • “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.”
    • “The graphics quality is subpar and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “The visuals are outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
    • “The graphics are so lifeless that they make it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the emotional and immersive quality of the music that complements the narrative and enhances the overall experience. The combination of strong acting, well-crafted settings, and a flowing decision-making process contributes to a captivating and believable environment. While some critiques mention predictability in the film adaptation, the game's atmosphere remains a standout feature that deeply engages players.

    • “The soundtrack was tense and atmospheric.”
    • “There is really good atmosphere in Late Shift that really helps you get into the story, and the fact that you shape the path the story takes really helps you get more invested in it than just watching a movie.”
    • “Acting, atmosphere (nocturnal streets of London), and production values are excellent.”
    • “The 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.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding13 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating due to the inability to skip or fast-forward through previously seen scenes, making multiple playthroughs feel repetitive and boring. While the game offers high replayability with numerous achievements and branching options, the lack of a chapter select or rewind feature significantly detracts from the experience, leading to a consensus that grinding for achievements can be a chore.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “Replayability value is high, as there are tons of achievements to reach for by aiming for different outcomes... however, the only negative of the game is that there's no ability to skip, which makes replaying the opening scenes very tedious and does put you off replaying it too many times.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the strong audio design and character depth that foster emotional connections, while others criticize the story as boring and the acting as subpar. Despite these criticisms, many players report experiencing significant emotional responses, including tears, indicating that the game can effectively engage players on an emotional level. Overall, while the narrative may lack polish, the emotional journey resonates with a portion of the audience.

    • “This game is far from perfect, but it managed to make me quite emotional upon completing it.”
    • “The sound design is top-notch, with audio cues that help to build suspense and heighten the emotional impact of the narrative.”
    • “It's a gorgeous movie that had me emotionally involved the whole way through, and each choice feels like it has consequences.”
    • “I do appreciate the enthusiasm of the actors, but it's a really boring story.”
    • “Boring story, terrible acting, bad implementation, pseudo-choices.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of situational comedy and witty dialogue, with users highlighting funny moments and amusing character interactions, particularly involving a British setting. While some reviewers note that it lacks the distinct flair of renowned British filmmakers, the overall comedic elements are appreciated, contributing to an entertaining experience.

    • “A popcorn movie, quite funny.”
    • “The Cantonese spoken by those triad members was hilarious.”
    • “Funny thing was, it's all happening in the UK, but most cars they drive are European left-hand drives :)”
  • stability8 mentions

    The game's stability has been criticized for frequent freezing, particularly during key moments, and various audio glitches. Players have reported bugs that disrupt gameplay, such as dialogue cut-offs and the need to restart episodes after completion. While these issues detract from the overall experience, many still find the game enjoyable despite its technical shortcomings.

    • “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.”
    • “Cheesy acting, and it freezes after the end of each episode, forcing you to exit to the menu and restart the episode again.”
    • “Second thing is this game is buggy as hell.”
  • character development5 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players praise its depth and believable deviations, others criticize it as weak or insufficiently explored, particularly in relation to the plot's rapid progression. Overall, the character arcs are seen as a significant aspect, though opinions vary on their execution and impact on the story.

    • “Tremendous replay value, interesting plot line, believable character development deviations.”
    • “The character development is awesome.”
    • “I felt that maybe the main character was a little too rapidly progressing in his character development but it was only a minimal gripe, probably more deserving to be in the segment about the story rather than the acting but whatever.”
    • “Weak character development, weak story.”
    • “This was okay to begin with, but the plot thickens exponentially without any character development.”
    • “I felt that the main character was progressing a little too rapidly in his development, which was a minimal gripe, but it probably belongs more in the segment about the story rather than the acting.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Reviewers express concerns that the game's monetization strategy appears to prioritize profit over quality, suggesting it may be a quick cash grab rather than a well-developed product.

    • “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.”
    • “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it prioritizes profit over player experience.”
    • “I feel like I'm being pushed to spend money at every turn, which ruins the enjoyment of the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

63% average critic score

Buy Late Shift

Play time

2hMedian play time
18hAverage play time
1hMain story
5hCompletionist
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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