Night Security
- June 16, 2023
- Chilla's Art
"Night Security" is a Japanese psychological horror game that simulates a night security job, with an atmospheric environment and VHS effect. The game aims to drive players insane through its horror elements and offers two different endings. Save points are automatic and the game features Japanese-inspired environment art.
Reviews
- The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, creating a genuinely creepy experience that keeps players on edge.
- The game features well-executed jump scares and a slow build-up of tension, making it one of the scariest entries from Chilla's Art.
- The graphics and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the overall horror experience and making the environment feel realistic and unsettling.
- The story can be confusing and lacks clarity, leaving players unsure about the plot and character motivations.
- Some players experienced bugs and glitches, which affected gameplay and immersion.
- The game is relatively short, with a playtime of about an hour, which may not justify the price for some players.
- story62 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The game's story is characterized as a slow-burn horror narrative that gradually builds tension, though many players find it confusing and difficult to piece together. While some appreciate the atmospheric storytelling and the unique approach to plot development, others criticize the lack of clarity and depth, leading to mixed feelings about the overall narrative experience. Despite its shortcomings, the eerie environment and engaging gameplay keep players entertained, even if the story itself leaves much to be desired.
“Outstanding game, simple story told at a slow burn that gradually ramps up the terror from level to level.”
“The story throws you in the shoes of a security guard working the night shift completing mundane tasks, whilst having to deal with the horrifying consequences originating in that eerie office building.”
“The story is well paced, the atmosphere is on point throughout, and the slow burn of horrific events really ratchets up the anxiety and tension wonderfully throughout the experience.”
“You kinda have to piece the story together yourself.”
“And the plot itself, I needed it explained to me at the end via a video because I didn't really understand what was going on.”
“The plot is difficult to follow; between the enemy and the normal woman who is following you, I'm not sure what conclusion to come to.”
- atmosphere48 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game has been widely praised for its haunting and immersive qualities, effectively creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the experience. Reviewers highlight the combination of strong environmental design, effective soundscapes, and well-placed jump scares that enhance the overall horror experience. Many consider it one of Chilla's Art's best works, noting its ability to evoke genuine fear and anxiety while maintaining a captivating narrative.
“A truly atmospheric horror experience.”
“This game is an atmospheric gem that sets a new standard for indie horror games, seamlessly blending tension, mystery, and a deeply unsettling environment.”
“It might be my favorite Chilla's Art game so far, because I found the atmosphere very oppressive and it had a couple of good, creepy moments.”
“The atmosphere was truly haunting and I felt uneasy throughout the whole game...”
“Most of the horror is built by the unsettling atmosphere, and as always Chilla’s Art is able to make regular people seem so creepy.”
- graphics22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received high praise for their impressive quality and atmospheric design, with many reviewers noting a chilling aesthetic reminiscent of classic horror titles like Silent Hill. While some mention minor jankiness, the overall visual style, including the use of VHS-inspired elements, effectively contributes to the game's eerie ambiance and enhances the horror experience. Overall, the visuals are considered a strong point, with many users rating them 10/10 for their ability to evoke fear and maintain immersion.
“I thoroughly enjoyed playing through night security; the scares aren't predictable, the liminal Japanese office is chilling, and gets worse every new floor. The puzzles aren't too difficult and the art style/graphics are great.”
“As always, Chilla's Art have gone for their usual VHS-style visuals, which continues to work well in producing the unsettling feeling that their games are known for.”
“The graphics are clean and realistic, enhancing the believability of the setting.”
“My first Chilla's Art game, and honestly while most of the graphics are pretty jank, and the controls are 4-year-old friendly, this game's concept of new floors, new horrors hits.”
“The visuals are the usual fare you get from the developer with bizarre looking people and nightmarish expressions on their faces.”
“For 8 bucks can't really complain, it's not great but neat aesthetic and a couple scares for an hour or two.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players expressing disappointment over its limited mechanics and reliance on walking simulator elements, resulting in a short experience that feels less engaging than previous titles. While the game includes some puzzle-solving and chase sequences, many users long for a return to more gameplay-focused designs. Overall, the gameplay is described as straightforward but lacking depth, with a focus on menial tasks and minimal interaction.
“I really liked the mechanics of the previous ones.”
“The gameplay is straightforward but effective.”
“As always, Chilla has outdone themselves; it's not their best work but still had me on edge and the gameplay was overall pretty good.”
“Recently, your games are getting better graphics, but your mechanics now mean I die whether I make intelligent choices in the game.”
“Gameplay-wise, there is very little here too; it's mostly a walking sim having you go room to room doing menial security-related tasks, occasionally needing to find items, and towards the end, you must solve good puzzles and engage in a chase sequence which decides which of the game's two endings you get.”
“Night security has limited interaction with the main gameplay being: check all alarms on each floor, turn out the lights, interact with each person, and lock the doors.”
- optimization3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting excellent performance, while others criticize it as poorly optimized. Overall, the performance ratings vary significantly, indicating inconsistency in optimization across different systems.
“This is the game I had the best performance in, by the way.”
“Performance: 10/10”
“The game is badly optimized.”
“Performance issues make it nearly unplayable on lower-end systems.”
“Frequent frame drops and stuttering ruin the overall experience.”
- stability3 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game is mixed, with some users experiencing frequent freezes that detract from the overall experience, while others report improved graphics and no significant glitches or crashes. However, there are still noticeable bugs and glitches present.
“It caused frequent game freezes that ruined the experience.”
“There's some obvious bugs and glitches.”
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized as offbeat, which can sometimes disrupt the tension, but players appreciate the inclusion of collectible cards featuring amusing images.
“The offbeat humor really helps to stall the tension and keep the game light-hearted.”
“It would be cool to collect some of these cards with funny images.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game is priced at $8 and does not include any in-game purchases, offering a straightforward upfront cost without additional monetization strategies.
“$8 for the game, and there are no in-game purchases.”
“The monetization model is fair, with no pressure to spend more money.”
“I appreciate that the game is upfront about its pricing and doesn't include any hidden costs.”
“$8 for the game, but there are no in-game purchases.”
“The monetization model is frustrating and feels exploitative.”
“I was disappointed to find that the game relies heavily on microtransactions.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's environment effectively evokes a sense of unease, contributing to a deeply emotional experience for players.
“The environment was perfect and made me feel very uneasy the entire time.”
“The story's depth and character development left me in tears; I felt every emotion.”
“The soundtrack beautifully complemented the narrative, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to reflect a toxic work culture, particularly in Japan, emphasizing the monotony and tediousness of daily tasks. The repetitive nature of the gameplay mirrors the struggles of balancing work and family life, contributing to a sense of alienation and disconnection from loved ones. Overall, the grinding serves as a commentary on the detrimental effects of relentless work schedules on personal relationships.
“The grinding in this game feels like a never-ending cycle of tedious tasks that drain the enjoyment out of the experience.”
“I find myself stuck in repetitive actions that seem to serve no purpose other than to extend playtime, making it feel more like a chore than a game.”
“The constant need to grind for progress is exhausting and takes away from the overall narrative and character development.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The minimalistic soundtrack effectively enhances tension in the game while remaining unobtrusive, contributing to an immersive experience.
“The minimalistic soundtrack, used sparingly, heightens the tension without ever feeling intrusive.”