Not Tonight

Social commentary delivered with baseball bat subtlety, Not Tonight owes a huge debt to Papers, Please, but finds its own voice in the bit-parts of post-Brexit Britain.

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In "Not Tonight," players navigate a dystopian, post-Brexit Britain as a bouncer, making tough decisions and managing their reputation to stay employed in a society that scapegoats and deports immigrants. Players must balance political correctness with the demands of clients and authorities while dealing with the consequences of their actions. The game features a blend of survival management and choice-driven narrative, offering a unique and thought-provoking experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,232 reviews

story185 positive mentions

grinding18 negative mentions

Great art style and music that enhances the gameplay experience.
Engaging storyline with humorous and memorable characters.
Challenging gameplay that keeps players on their toes with various tasks.

Repetitive gameplay that can become tedious over time.
Some mechanics are not clearly explained, leading to confusion.
Ending feels underwhelming and lacks impact compared to the journey.

story
452 mentions
41 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The story of "Not Tonight" is a politically charged narrative set in a post-Brexit world, exploring themes of xenophobia and authoritarianism through a mix of dark humor and social commentary. While some players appreciate its engaging characters and satirical elements, others find the plot predictable, repetitive, and lacking depth compared to its predecessor, "Papers, Please." Overall, the game offers a unique take on its mechanics with a storyline that can be both entertaining and frustrating, depending on player expectations.
- “The story is great and there are many choices you can make throughout that affect your gameplay and how the game ends.”
- “The storyline is a nice satirical twist on British politics with a healthy amount of humor.”
- “The story consists of a good mix between dark humor and serious political dystopia.”
- “The story is predictable and shallow, but it feels like it was not the main focus when the game was designed anyway.”
- “The execution of the story is poor and just repetitive degradation.”
- “The story is filled with political commentary, but it is a bit lackluster.”
gameplay
364 mentions
29 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Not Tonight" is heavily inspired by "Papers, Please," featuring a similar mechanic of checking IDs and managing various tasks, but it often suffers from repetitiveness and a lack of complexity as the game progresses. While some players appreciate the engaging story and humor, many find the gameplay tedious and overly simplistic, with limited new mechanics introduced over time. Overall, it offers a fun experience for fans of the genre, but may not hold up for those seeking deeper gameplay variety.
- “Not Tonight has quite ingenious gameplay; every detail is really well thought out.”
- “The gameplay steadily ramps up in challenge, and while I did have to reload saves during one point, I found I was able to keep up with the increasing challenges.”
- “The gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master, and the characters are lovable and easy to get attached to.”
- “The biggest problem is the extremely repetitive and boring gameplay loop.”
- “It's glaringly obvious that it's trying to piggyback off of Papers, Please's success but lacks the hook of any interesting story or plot, and it lacks increasing mechanics and difficulty which is what made Papers, Please so damn good.”
- “Most of the gameplay is a long repetition of ID/paper checking which I got tired of after 3-4 hours.”
music
210 mentions
56 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "Not Tonight" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and diverse soundtrack, which enhances the game's atmosphere and gameplay experience. Players appreciate the way the music varies by venue, with many noting that it adds a fun and engaging element to the bouncer mechanics. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, often described as a highlight of the game that players enjoy even outside of gameplay.
- “The music is catchy, and I love the style of animation.”
- “The music and the artwork are incredible, and with an enormous eye for detail.”
- “The music is excellent and catchy, and made all the more enticing by the snippets you catch each time the venue doors open while you're stood outside in the rain with your clipboard and hi-vis.”
- “The music is so stereotypical, and I think leaning hard into that really made me appreciate the songs even more, to the point where these songs became part of my daily playlists, even overtaking them at times.”
- “The music is most often muffled, however, as you are the bouncer standing outside working away.”
- “The gameplay was kinda okay and the only thing I really liked about the game was the music.”
humor
110 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its satirical and darkly comedic elements, often drawing comparisons to titles like "Papers, Please." Players appreciate the witty dialogue, memorable characters, and the ability to balance serious political themes with humor, although some note that the jokes can become repetitive over time. Overall, the game's humor is seen as a significant strength, providing both entertainment and thought-provoking commentary on contemporary issues.
- “The writing can be both surprisingly funny and incredibly dark, but manages to keep a very good tone despite the contrast.”
- “It's hilarious, it's hectic, and it's the closest you'll get to being a door guy without the actual bruises.”
- “The dialogue manages to be both thoughtful and hilarious - there are gaming and European culture references embedded everywhere.”
graphics
106 mentions
58 % positive mentions
40 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming pixel art style, which enhances the overall atmosphere and storytelling. Many players appreciate the attention to detail and the vibrant backgrounds, although some note that the simplicity of the graphics can occasionally hinder gameplay immersion. Overall, the art style is considered a strong point, contributing to the game's enjoyable experience.
- “The aesthetics, music, and visuals of this game are absolutely stunning.”
- “The graphics are charming in their 2D pixel style.”
- “The art style is fantastic, the music is amazing, and gameplay is enjoyable.”
- “The graphics are rather simple.”
- “The difference in character graphics here is very different because the hair on some people is only composed of a few pixels and the background can make it hard to see the hair properly.”
- “Good game, similar to Papers, Please; personally, I believe it needs to have better graphics if it requires checking ID photos, as sometimes you cannot tell they are different from the NPCs.”
atmosphere
25 mentions
40 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is a standout feature, characterized by its fantastic pixel art, compelling music, and a mix of humor and storytelling that enhances the experience. However, it often leans towards a gloomy and oppressive tone, which may affect player enjoyment. Overall, the detailed environments and strong thematic elements create a rich, immersive atmosphere that resonates with players, despite its darker undertones.
- “The pixel art is fantastic, and the atmosphere draws you in.”
- “The amount of detail that's worked into the fore- and backgrounds of all the locations is nothing short of amazing, and it really helps to set the atmosphere.”
- “Beautiful pixel graphics and atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere can often be gloomy and oppressive, which may affect some players.”
- “In some levels of Papers, Please, the day can get disrupted by a terrorist attack, and the atmosphere right afterwards feels so bleak and heavy.”
- “While I enjoyed Papers, Please, that also had to do with its incredibly hopeless atmosphere.”
grinding
21 mentions
5 % positive mentions
10 % neutral mentions
86 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and repetitive, leading to a sense of frustration rather than enjoyment. Many players feel that the gameplay loop lacks variety and becomes monotonous, with some even comparing it unfavorably to other games known for their grind. While a few players found it addictive, the overall sentiment leans towards the experience being more of a chore than a rewarding challenge.
- “Amazing story and great gameplay, it's just challenging enough to be fun but not tedious.”
- “It looks like it could be so good but it just misses the mark of being that level of tedious but fun and rather just winds up being clunky and frustrating.”
- “However, as the game went on, choices felt more arbitrary and mechanics felt more tedious, that when I reached the final chapter, I felt like I was playing only for the sake of seeing how it ends but not really because I was enjoying the game.”
- “The game does get incredibly tedious to play - checking IDs/guest lists over and over, and going into an auto-pilot mode just to get through the shift feels like a real job at times, but I feel this accurately reflects the struggle the main character is going through in the game itself.”
replayability
19 mentions
16 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
16 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as good, particularly for players interested in exploring different endings and story options. While some reviewers note a lack of incentive beyond achieving high scores or completing all content, many appreciate the fun mechanics and witty writing that encourage multiple playthroughs. However, a few players feel the game is too linear, which may limit its overall replay value.
- “I think it definitely has replay value, especially if you want to see different endings.”
- “There are so many ways to play this game, and the replayability is definitely there.”
- “It definitely has replay value, and the mechanics are fun, the writing is witty, and the message is relevant.”
- “I feel like the game has little replayable value, only if you like to complete all the stuff.”
- “Not an RPG, not a puzzle, not an adventure, no replay value, no play value... not at all what is advertised.”
- “This game just feels too linear and apart from improving your score, there’s not much incentive for replayability.”
emotional
11 mentions
91 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a mixed emotional response to the game, with some players feeling a lack of emotional weight compared to titles like "Papers, Please." While the music evokes a range of feelings, including humor and heartbreak, many feel that the game fails to create a strong emotional attachment to characters or the consequences of their choices, leading to a less impactful experience overall.
- “Music was good, it was comical, and also a little heartbreaking.”
- “You become emotionally attached to them.”
- “The game is very emotional and at times you feel as though to keep your job and your home you must deny and or be racist yourself as to not lose the game.”
- “Political foolishness, boring storyline, and cringe throughout.”
stability
10 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by several bugs, particularly with the save/load functionality and occasional control glitches, leading to a less polished experience. While some players report a generally smooth experience with minor freezes, others have encountered significant issues, especially towards the end of the game. However, the developers are responsive and have issued patches to address these problems.
- “Buggy save-game loading functionality.”
- “End game is buggy and doesn't work as intended.”
- “Some small bugs (one quite annoying which freezes the inputs and requires you to restart the level).”
character development
5 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is noted for its impressive depth and thought-provoking nature, contributing significantly to the overall narrative. However, some players feel it lacks closure and could benefit from more robust character design and immersive elements to enhance the experience. While the story is engaging, the emotional connection to the characters may be limited for some players.
- “The game's complexity and political themes may challenge some players, but the character development and story are so impressive that I would say this is a thought-provoking game that offers a different experience.”
- “Though it has a fantastic story and great character development, I can't help but feel no remorse for anybody in line.”
- “The art design is brilliant; I love the high-detail pixel environments, although character design could be a bit more robust.”
- “However, character development leaves much to be desired in terms of 'closure'.”
- “Had more attention to items, more realistic payments at the end of the day, more furniture, an actual incentive to keep working at the same place rather than the unrealistic multiplier (immersion breaker for me personally) and there would certainly be more room for character development.”
monetization
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect has been criticized for its intrusive ads and shallow storyline, which detracts from the overall experience. Players feel that the promotional content, including dialogues and NPC interactions, undermines the game's depth and engagement.
- “The monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, with constant ads interrupting gameplay.”
- “The storyline felt very shallow for what it was advertising, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “It seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall, which ruins the overall experience.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect highlights that customer issues, such as fake IDs or drug problems, can significantly impact revenue and performance reviews, as they may lead to financial losses and incidents that detract from overall business efficiency.
- “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.”
- “I often find myself struggling with performance issues that detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “The lack of proper optimization makes it difficult to fully engage with the game's mechanics.”