Need a packet?
- August 20, 2018
- Marginal act
Get on Steam"Need a Packet?" is a horror-simulator that follows Molly, a supermarket cashier losing her sanity due to monotonous work. She perceives her cash register as a medieval tower with dragons and chimeras. The game takes place amid a city's garbage crisis, with contaminated water, disappearing citizens, and forests filled with dangers. Gameplay includes calmer moments at Molly's house, reading news, watching streams, and shopping, contrasted with frantic, fast-paced bullet hell segments during Molly's commute to work.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Reviews
- The game offers a bizarre and intriguing experience that can be enjoyable for those who appreciate its unique art style and atmosphere.
- It features interesting mechanics that combine cashier duties with elements of survival and defense against surreal threats.
- Players who enjoy challenging gameplay and a sense of mystery may find the game rewarding despite its flaws.
- The game feels unfinished and lacks a clear tutorial, making it difficult for new players to understand its mechanics.
- Controls can be unresponsive and frustrating, requiring multiple clicks for actions to register, which detracts from the overall experience.
- Many players find the gameplay disjointed and lacking a substantial narrative, leading to confusion and a sense of aimlessness.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is described as difficult and disjointed, with a mix of monotonous tasks and more engaging mechanics like defending against demons. While some players appreciate the unique blend of cashier duties and action elements, others feel that the removal of core mechanics, such as bullet hell, alienates those seeking an easier experience. Overall, the gameplay offers a mix of comfort in its repetitiveness and frustration in its execution.
“The mechanics are interesting too, switching between being a cashier and giving packets to people, and defending the transport you take to work against giant demons. It all gets progressively more difficult as the game goes on.”
“Insane, called so because you are seemingly going insane, is the actual story and gameplay.”
“I really wanted to like this game, but what gameplay is there is difficult and disjointed.”
“The basic gameplay takes a back seat to the rest of the game as you play.”
“Gameplay-wise, you show up for work, you do your repetitive job, you go home, and you try to figure out how to spend what little money you made.”
- graphics10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Need a Packet" are praised for their compelling and innovative artwork, featuring a unique aesthetic reminiscent of "Papers Please" with intentionally drab colors and memorable character designs. While most visuals are consistent, some elements, like text, may appear slightly out of place, but this does not detract significantly from the overall experience.
“The visuals were so compelling that I had to come and try it out myself.”
“It's innovative, artistic, and the aesthetic is up my alley.”
“Aesthetically, the game also looks somewhat like 'Papers, Please' with its intentionally drab colors and memorable customer faces.”
“Most of this artwork is pretty consistent, with the occasional element looking a little out of place, such as text, but overall not a problem.”
- story6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The story of "Need a Packet" is described as compelling and intriguing, with themes of insanity that intertwine with the gameplay. Players anticipate a unique narrative experience that diverges from traditional storytelling, promising unexpected developments as the game progresses. Overall, the combination of engaging artwork, music, and a challenging plot enhances the overall experience.
“I haven't finished the game yet, but so far 'Need a Packet' is a challenging game, with great artwork and music, and a compelling story!”
“Insane, called so because you are seemingly going insane, is the actual story and gameplay.”
“Based on the description and screenshots on the 'Need a Packet' Steam page, we can tell some crazy stuff is on the horizon and that it's likely to deviate in its conveyed story from what 'Papers, Please' was looking to do.”
“The story feels disjointed and lacks the depth that I was hoping for, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the narrative to be predictable and uninspired, failing to capture my interest.”
“The character development is weak, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story and its events.”
- music4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in "Need a Packet" is highly praised, with players highlighting its awesome soundtrack that complements the game's challenging gameplay and compelling story. Overall, the music contributes significantly to the game's immersive experience.
“The awesome soundtrack this game has.”
“The music is great and adds to the overall experience of the game.”
“The combination of great artwork and music creates a compelling atmosphere.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The atmosphere is characterized as dreary and effectively conveys an important message about antipollution, though some users feel it lacks a sense of weight or heaviness. Overall, it successfully depicts a descent into a more somber environment.
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world that feels both haunting and beautiful.”
“The game's environment is rich with detail, creating a sense of place that enhances the overall experience.”
“There's a palpable tension in the air that keeps you on edge, making every moment feel significant.”
“The atmosphere is dreary and holds an important message about anti-pollution, but it doesn't exactly feel heavy, you know.”
“The atmosphere feels lacking; it doesn't immerse you in the experience as much as it should.”
“While the game attempts to create a somber mood, it ultimately falls flat and fails to evoke the intended emotions.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting it as a buggy and incoherent experience, undermining its potential.
“Good idea executed into a buggy, incoherent mess.”
