Lunch Lady

About

Lunch Lady is a single player and multiplayer action adventure game with a horror theme. It was developed by Manic Mice and was released on April 15, 2021. It received positive reviews from players.

In "Lunch Lady," players navigate a retro-style hospital as the title character, serving food and battling against food-themed enemies. The game features fast-paced action and puzzle-solving elements, with colorful pixel art graphics and a chiptune soundtrack. Players must manage their resources and make strategic decisions to progress through the game's levels.

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86%

Audience ScoreBased on 7,781 reviews

gameplay65 positive mentions

stability87 negative mentions

gameplay
254 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
26%
66%
8%
The gameplay of "Lunch Lady" is characterized by a straightforward loop of collecting items while evading a slow-moving antagonist, which can become repetitive over time. While the game offers a fun cooperative experience, especially with friends, many players find the mechanics simplistic and lacking depth, with calls for more varied gameplay elements and improvements to AI behavior. Overall, the game is seen as enjoyable in short bursts but may not hold long-term interest due to its limited mechanics and repetitive objectives.
- “The gameplay loop is straightforward yet addictive.”
- “The game masterfully combines survival horror elements with cooperative gameplay, requiring players to work together to search for ten exam pages scattered around the school.”
- “The gameplay mechanics are simple yet effective, with a focus on collecting pages while avoiding the clutches of the menacing lunch lady.”
- “The gameplay is incredibly bare, the animations are very buggy, and the game is visually boring.”
- “The gameplay revolves around collecting 10 pieces of paper and a few keys while evading a slow-moving lunch lady who poses minimal challenge, especially given the loud audio cue before she throws her butcher's knife.”
- “The typical recycled 'fetch quest' mechanic combined with the lunch lady's predictable behavior leaves this game a lot to be desired.”
humor
231 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in this game is a standout feature, with players finding the absurdity of being chased by a grotesque lunch lady both hilarious and entertaining. While the initial scares can be effective, the gameplay quickly shifts to a more comedic tone, especially when played with friends, leading to numerous laugh-out-loud moments. Overall, the blend of dark humor and chaotic fun makes it a memorable experience, particularly in multiplayer settings.
- “It's really funny to hear distant screams followed by a thud after they got smacked by the lunch lady.”
- “The lunch lady's sounds and animations are hilarious and she looks hideous, so she's more entertaining to run from than the enemies in many other 'Slenderman' type games.”
- “The amount of joy this game has caused me is so funny; everything in this game is hilarious. Getting chased by the lunch lady is exciting and intense.”
graphics
119 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
52%
4%
The graphics of "Lunch Lady" receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the stylized, grungy aesthetic and atmospheric design, while others criticize the visuals as generic or outdated. Although the game does not push graphical boundaries, many agree that its unique concept and engaging gameplay compensate for the lack of high-end visuals. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for an indie title, with some standout elements that enhance the horror experience.
- “Graphically, 'lunch lady' doesn’t aim for photo-realism but instead opts for a stylized, grungy aesthetic.”
- “With its combination of fantastic graphics and gripping cutscenes, 'lunch lady' delivers a spine-tingling horror experience that's bound to leave you on the edge of your seat.”
- “The graphics are well polished, and the ambiance was very spooky.”
- “The graphics look like they were microwaved for too long, the map design is copy-paste hallways that all feel the same, and the jump scares are about as subtle as a fire alarm at 3 a.m.”
- “While the art style and visuals attempt to create a spooky atmosphere, they feel generic and uninspired.”
- “Graphics and animations are so bad and there are so many bugs, the game is not fun to play; it's really boring.”
stability
87 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which significantly impact gameplay and overall experience. Players report issues ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking problems, particularly in multiplayer modes. Despite these stability concerns, many users still find the game enjoyable, especially when played with friends, suggesting that the fun factor can sometimes outweigh the technical shortcomings.
- “The game is plagued by frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking problems.”
- “The lunch lady camps players or completely freezes in a room and stops moving for 10+ minutes, we combed through the entire map room by room to find the last notebook or key and couldn’t find it multiple times, game crashes often, and it makes for an underwhelming to disappointing game experience.”
- “The game is stale, dry, buggy, every room looks the same, the movement is sporadic and glitchy, to the extent the game is unplayable for most of the time.”
story
84 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
70%
10%
The game's story is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of depth and narrative structure, often describing it as minimal or non-existent. Some reviews highlight the potential for a more engaging backstory, particularly regarding the antagonist, the lunch lady, while others appreciate the suspenseful atmosphere and cutscenes that enhance the experience. Overall, while a few players found the story compelling, the consensus leans towards it being underdeveloped and lacking in substantial lore.
- “The cutscenes are outstanding; they really add to the story and grip the player like no other heart-pounding thriller indie horror game ever has.”
- “The story unfolds gradually, keeping players invested and curious about the lunch lady's dark origins.”
- “The amazing story, rich presence of fear the game instills on the player, groundbreaking and otherworldly AI, and heartbreaking lore is what gives this game the 10/10 it deserves.”
- “Honestly, this whole game is probably just the story of one poor lunch lady going through menopause... and we’re the real villains.”
- “It doesn't even have a story, we just run away from the monster.”
- “Not recommended for the casual singleplayer gamers who are in for a story-based game.”
replayability
73 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
52%
21%
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag. While many players find it enjoyable and fun, especially in multiplayer settings, the lack of variety and meaningful progression leads to a perception of limited replay value over time. Some players appreciate the chaotic fun with friends, but others note that the experience can become repetitive, particularly for solo play.
- “This unpredictability is part of what makes the game so fun and replayable with friends.”
- “However, the game's replay value can be extended by playing with friends, as multiplayer co-op mode offers an exciting twist on the core gameplay.”
- “Super replayable and always a laugh with friends.”
- “Furthermore, the game's lack of meaningful progression or replay value makes it difficult to justify investing time into.”
- “Not really replayable, so if you are looking for that, I would recommend maybe not getting this game.”
- “The game has no replayability, and the in-game voice chat is extremely quiet even maxed out.”
atmosphere
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
44%
6%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively utilizing dimly lit school environments, unsettling sound design, and tension-building elements to create a terrifying experience. While some critiques mention a lack of graphical detail and occasional gameplay issues that detract from immersion, the overall consensus highlights the game's ability to evoke fear and nostalgia, making it a compelling horror experience. Players appreciate the combination of creepy visuals, sound effects, and the unpredictable AI, which together enhance the game's chilling atmosphere.
- “The school environments are dimly lit and eerily atmospheric, filled with dark hallways and cluttered classrooms that make every corner feel like a potential hiding spot or a trap.”
- “The unsettling atmosphere is further amplified by the disarray of the school and the eerie soundscape, which keeps players immersed in the horror from start to finish.”
- “The atmosphere is brilliantly crafted, immersing players in an eerie environment that makes you edge throughout the entire gameplay.”
- “While the art style and visuals attempt to create a spooky atmosphere, they feel generic and uninspired.”
- “Environments lack detail and atmosphere, while character models and animations are stiff and unconvincing.”
- “You clip through half the objects on the map, the atmosphere is nonexistent, you get flashbanged from your flashlight every time you walk into a wall, the gameplay and objective is boring, and the most action you'll get is from running down a hall while the lunch lady slowly lumbers towards you.”
grinding
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
33%
61%
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often unenjoyable, with many expressing that it detracts from the fun experience. While some players appreciate the time spent grinding with friends, the repetitive nature of the tasks and the overwhelming number of achievements make it feel like a chore rather than an engaging activity. Many reviews suggest that the game requires an excessive time commitment, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “I found playing this more tedious than enjoyable.”
- “The gameplay can be exhilarating, refreshing and unique in many different aspects, however at the end of the day, the tediousness takes lead of your experience, whether that be in a multiplayer setting or one in which is primarily singleplayer.”
- “It isn't scary, and it is more tedious than it is fun.”
music
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
79%
9%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it low-quality or repetitive, which detracts from the overall experience. However, others praise the soundtrack as outstanding and well-composed, enhancing the game's atmosphere and tension during gameplay. Suggestions for improvement include adding more varied tracks and dynamic music cues to heighten suspense during key moments.
- “The music that fills my ear while my love is chasing me elevates my gaming experience.”
- “The suspenseful soundtrack and dim lighting contribute to the game's overall chilling ambiance, making each hallway exploration an exercise in nervous anticipation.”
- “I dont often do reviews, but this game is a masterpiece, the soundtrack is outstanding and soothing to the ears, and tense when it needs to be.”
- “❎ Poor: low-quality or repetitive sound/music, detracts from the experience.”
- “❎ Fair: basic sound/music, doesn't enhance the atmosphere.”
- “I also love how ugly the lunch lady looks, but scary images aren't enough most of the time; if you really want to scare your players, add some creepy music.”
optimization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
44%
26%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues that hinder gameplay. While some players experience smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that significant improvements are needed, particularly for those with mid-range hardware. Despite a few positive remarks about optimization, the majority highlight it as a major flaw that detracts from the gaming experience.
- “The developer responds well to bugs and gets them patched in good time, and the game itself has good optimization.”
- “Well optimized and no concerning bugs on first playthrough.”
- “Game runs smoothly and is very enjoyable with friends.”
- “This game, despite being extremely low quality, is horribly optimized and lags constantly.”
- “The game is plagued by frequent bugs, glitches, and performance issues, ranging from minor annoyances to game-breaking problems.”
- “This game is poorly optimized on top of just looking butt-ugly, to the point where I would recommend taking a break after 5 minutes, like that old Virtual Boy shtick.”
emotional
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have described the game as an intensely emotional experience, evoking a wide range of feelings from laughter and nostalgia to deep sadness and introspection. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to connect with personal struggles, such as coping with loss or feelings of inadequacy, while others praise its storytelling and character depth that elicit strong emotional responses. Overall, the game is recognized for its profound impact on players, often leaving them in tears or reflecting on their own lives.
- “We walked around for a bit, looking at different things, we came across a t-shirt with an ugly little monster on it, and she said it looked like me, and we had a big laugh; I even shed a tear.”
- “Amazing story game; I cried when I read the lunch lady's lore.”
- “This game has made me feel things that no one else could.”
monetization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the regular updates while others criticize it as a rushed cash grab with minimal effort. Despite its potential for fun, many feel that the developers prioritize profit over quality, leading to a perception of the game as primarily a money-making venture.
- “It's an alright game if you play with friends, but it's definitely a quick cash grab by the devs.”
- “It's important that someone speaks the words about such a cash grab type of game.”
- “The whole game feels rushed and made only for a cash grab.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Character development in the game received mixed reviews, with some praising the character design as exceptional, while others criticized it as poor and unappealing. Overall, the feedback suggests a significant divide in player satisfaction regarding the game's character aesthetics.
- “I give it 10/10 for its amazing character design.”
- “Don't bother wasting money on such a waste of a game. Character designs are awful, lighting is terrible, giving me an awful headache. Worst horror game of all time; I hope the creator just takes this game down from the store.”