The Convenience Store
- February 17, 2020
- chill_my_art
- 3h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io Store"The Convenience Store" is a narrative-driven game where you play as a convenience store clerk working the night shift. As you serve customers, you'll uncover mysterious events and encounter various characters, leading to multiple endings. The game features a unique cast, engaging storyline, and a blend of supernatural elements.
PC
Windows
Playstation 2
Reviews
- The game creates a genuinely creepy atmosphere that keeps players on edge.
- The VHS aesthetic and low-poly graphics enhance the horror experience.
- The game features multiple endings, adding replay value for those interested in exploring different outcomes.
- The pacing is slow, with long walks to the convenience store that can feel tedious.
- There is no save feature, requiring players to complete the game in one sitting to see all endings.
- Some puzzles, particularly the TV puzzle, can be confusing and frustrating to solve.
- atmosphere612 mentions
- 58 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively capturing the unsettling essence of Japanese horror. Players appreciate the slow build of tension, the use of sound and visual design, and the ability to create a creepy ambiance, particularly when played at night. While some technical issues and a lack of depth in gameplay are noted, the overall atmospheric experience is considered a standout feature that enhances the horror elements.
“There is great atmosphere, a slow build, tension, and a well crafted multiple ending to satisfy all fans of Japanese horror.”
“The atmosphere they've created is really intriguing, even if it doesn't fully deliver on the scares.”
“The art style and atmosphere leads to one of the best horror experiences you can have.”
“I don't mind attempts at 'atmosphere,' but when everything you're looking at is copy-pasted low-poly assets, you're likely to visualize more variety in shapes and colors by closing your eyes really tight.”
“Creepy atmosphere but no payoff and the graphics are not only bad but also impede gameplay.”
“While the graphics are a strong reminder of unity-horror games like 'One Late Night' when you don't have the VHS mode activated, it only lends to the atmosphere.”
- story514 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it either shallow or lacking depth, often comparing it to familiar horror tropes like those in "The Ring." While some appreciated the atmospheric storytelling and the intriguing backstory revealed through multiple endings, others criticized the fragmented narrative and reliance on text dumps for exposition. Overall, the game's narrative is seen as a blend of engaging elements and missed opportunities, leaving players divided on its effectiveness.
“There is a reason why their video games have become as popular as they have, and that is their unique storytelling.”
“The story is good, the game itself is beautifully made (especially considering the price of only $2).”
“Awesome story, interesting twists in the story, and I recommend it to anyone who loves horror games!”
“I just finished up this game, but I have to say, I'm still a little unsure about the actual story they were going for.”
“However, the story is very basic and doesn't have much depth to it and it is overall not a very scary game.”
“The story is paper-thin and it's entirely revealed in text form when you beat the game.”
- graphics426 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a nostalgic VHS aesthetic, reminiscent of retro PS1 and PS2 titles, which many players find enhances the eerie atmosphere and overall experience. While some reviews note that the visuals can be simplistic or rough around the edges, this low-fi style is often seen as a deliberate artistic choice that contributes to the game's charm and horror elements. Overall, the graphics are functional and evoke a unique ambiance, though they may not appeal to everyone due to their dated appearance.
“The graphics hit that deliciously niche intersection between low poly and creepy.”
“The graphics, while not groundbreaking, evoke a nostalgic VHS vibe that adds to the overall experience.”
“The graphics definitely do their job, adding a really interesting lo-fi vibe to the whole thing.”
“Creepy atmosphere but no payoff and the graphics are not only bad but also impede gameplay.”
“The graphics can be rough at times, with character models and environmental textures appearing somewhat dated or simplistic.”
“The only puzzle of this game could be very frustrating especially with the graphics of the game (could be very hard to see), and it doesn't have any relevance to the story so it really ruins the mood.”
- gameplay194 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as simple, repetitive, and lacking depth, primarily involving walking and basic interactions within a horror-themed environment. While some players appreciate the atmospheric elements and the immersive experience, many criticize the clunky mechanics, minimal engagement, and short playtime, often around one to two hours. Overall, the game is seen as a budget-friendly option for horror enthusiasts, but it may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
“Priced affordably at $3 on Steam and offering a concise gameplay experience of approximately two hours, the game is a commendable recommendation for horror enthusiasts.”
“The game's ability to maintain a sense of mystery and suspense throughout the gameplay is commendable.”
“I really like these types of games where the character is an ordinary human, doing their job, and following creepy events happening around them, slowly building up as the gameplay progresses.”
“A pretty weak story, and the gameplay feels a bit directionless.”
“The gameplay overall is lacking - very slow and repetitive, and the limited puzzles are simple and dull.”
“There's no actual gameplay to speak of, which can be okay for certain types of horror games, except there's literally nothing to do except dull chores and some terrible puzzles that are horribly obtuse and not remotely satisfying to finish.”
- grinding52 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 2 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively tedious and frustrating, with many players noting that the slow pacing and repetitive tasks detract from the overall experience and tension. While some found a certain charm in the monotony, the majority felt that the grinding elements, such as slow walking and pointless backtracking, ultimately hindered their investment in the game and diminished its horror atmosphere. Overall, the grinding mechanics are seen as a significant drawback, overshadowing any potential enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Frustrating and tedious system of progression and pointless backtracking without any reason except to pad the game out, which in the end makes the first 1-2 jump scares scarier because there is a build up.”
“It's just too tedious to do a simple task and walking is so slow.”
“The gameplay itself is nothing all that exciting, and is in fact mostly tedious and kind of boring.”
- humor40 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark undertones and absurdity, often eliciting laughter through unexpected moments and quirky character designs. Players appreciate the juxtaposition of comedic elements with horror, creating a unique atmosphere that can be both entertaining and disconcerting. While some found the humor to be a highlight, others noted that it sometimes detracted from the intended scares, making it more suitable for lighthearted play with friends rather than a serious horror experience.
“The manager's peculiar sense of humor, laced with dark undertones, sets a disconcerting tone for the protagonist's workplace.”
“Art style on fleek, unique setting, delivering both an overbearingly ominous atmosphere contrasted by some surprisingly humorous elements to the tasks at hand.”
“This is one of the few games that I've played in a while that had me both scared and laughing at the same time.”
- replayability34 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with most reviewers noting that it primarily offers a single experience with minimal variation in subsequent playthroughs. While there are a couple of endings to achieve, many players feel that the lack of meaningful choices and outcomes diminishes the incentive to replay. Despite this, some still find the initial experience enjoyable and worth the low price.
“It's worth your three euros, and you even have a few endings for a small replay value.”
“You have two endings to obtain, so replay value is there.”
“Although the convenience store is brief and doesn’t have much replay value (in my opinion, of course), I think the length suits it well and the price for what you get is fair.”
“The game really has next to no replayability, though - everything, from as far as I can tell, is the same as the first playthrough.”
“This game has no replay value to have that kind of a standard.”
“It has no real replay value after your first experience.”
- music34 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its eerie and atmospheric qualities that enhance immersion, particularly during night shifts. However, many found the soundtrack to be forgettable and simplistic, often characterized by loud stingers and repetitive elevator music that detracted from the overall experience. While the sound design contributes to building tension, it is often criticized for its abruptness and lack of memorable themes.
“The game's use of audio cues and subtle changes in the soundtrack adds to the immersion, keeping players on edge throughout their playthrough.”
“What I really liked about the game was the music to create stressful moments, the realism of living alone and working a night shift where every person could be sketchy.”
“The music was also good and spooky, kinda like a creepy VHS type.”
“This is a pretty lackluster game, full of long periods of absolutely nothing happening, punctuated with loud musical stingers that indicate that something scary probably happened, but only if you were looking in the right direction.”
“There's slow-burn, and then there's a game that's 2/3rds elevator music.”
“General sound and music quality is low and probably just taken from a sound library.”
- stability24 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its instability, with numerous reports of bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay, including freezing issues and clunky mechanics. While some players have experienced only minor glitches, the overall consensus is that the game feels rough around the edges and directionless, detracting from the overall experience.
“Slow and a bit of a buggy mess.”
“The game freezes completely whenever I turn the flashlight on.”
“It’s short, simple, and rough around the edges; glitches may occur.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users reporting significant performance issues, including crashes and the need to lower graphics settings from 4K to 1080p for better playability. While a few players rated performance highly, the overall sentiment indicates that the game's optimization is lacking, leading to dissatisfaction and refund requests.
“Performance: 10/10”
“Performance is about on-par with missing children.”
“Optimization: I had to reduce from 4K to 1080p.”
“Playable but not excellent optimization considering graphics.”
“1 - Crashes and bad optimization.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional response characterized by feelings of unease and vulnerability while navigating the game's environment, likening their experiences to unsettling ghost videos. Despite the discomfort, there is an appreciation for the game's wholesome elements and the immersive nature of walking through the town, which enhances the overall emotional impact.
“It made me feel uneasy and not safe when walking around the town.”
“I also enjoyed the fact that you had to walk to work every night, and while getting lost on the narrow streets was not a fun experience, it sure made me feel uneasy.”
“It made me feel like I was in one of those CCTV videos of ghosts online!”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is criticized for its unsettling and poorly executed character designs, which may be intentional but detract from the overall experience. While the initial atmosphere creates a sense of suspense during the journey to the store, this tension quickly fades, leading to a tedious gameplay experience. The store's interior is well-designed, reflecting a typical 7/11, but the lack of engaging character development undermines the overall immersion.
“The character design looks creepy, and while the journey to the store from the house initially creates a sense of dread, it quickly becomes annoying and tedious once you realize there is no actual threat.”
“The inner store itself looks pretty good and effectively conveys the typical 7/11 atmosphere, but the character designs are quite terrible, possibly intentionally so, as they come off as scary.”
“The character design is unsettling, and although the dark journey to the store creates an initial feeling of being followed, it soon turns into a frustrating experience once the tension dissipates.”
