The Convenience Store

About

"The Convenience Store | 夜勤事件" is a J-horror walking simulator with psychological elements, featuring photo-realistic graphics and a VHS film aesthetic. Players take on the role of a college girl working a night shift in a Japanese convenience store, where they will encounter puzzles and two possible endings. This game is a follow-up from the creators of other successful horror titles such as "Stigmatized Property | 事故物件" and "Inunaki Tunnel | 犬鳴トンネル".

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

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

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,703 reviews

atmosphere192 positive mentions

grinding26 negative mentions

The game effectively builds a creepy atmosphere, making players feel uneasy throughout their experience.
The VHS aesthetic and low-poly graphics contribute to the game's unique charm and enhance the horror elements.
The gameplay is engaging with simple tasks that reflect the monotony of working a night shift, while also incorporating supernatural elements.

The game lacks a save feature, requiring players to complete it in one sitting, which can be frustrating.
Pacing can feel slow, especially during the repetitive walks to the convenience store, which may detract from the overall experience.
Some puzzles, particularly the TV puzzle at the end, can be confusing and may require external guidance to solve.

atmosphere
337 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
42%
1%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its eerie and immersive qualities, effectively capturing a sense of dread and tension throughout the experience. Many players appreciate the slow build-up of suspense, complemented by a unique aesthetic and sound design that enhances the overall horror vibe. However, some critiques mention that while the atmosphere is strong, it occasionally lacks impactful scares, leaving players wanting more in terms of horror payoff.
- “The atmosphere they've created is really intriguing, even if it doesn't fully deliver on the scares.”
- “The convenience store is a psychological horror game that delivers a tense and atmospheric experience, immersing players in a dark and foreboding setting.”
- “The atmosphere is really creepy, and is well done.”
- “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.”
- “Its extremely tedious, and crucially eliminates any tension or frightening atmosphere the game may have been building.”
- “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.”
story
292 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The story of the game is generally perceived as weak and lacking depth, often relying on familiar horror tropes and jump scares that feel cheap. While some players appreciate the atmospheric elements and the intriguing premise, many criticize the pacing, repetitive gameplay, and a lack of coherent narrative, with significant plot details revealed only in lengthy text at the end. Overall, the game offers a short, simple horror experience that may entertain fans of the genre but leaves much to be desired in terms of storytelling.
- “The convenience store is a masterclass in psychological horror, using atmosphere, storytelling, and tension to create an unforgettable experience.”
- “The story is interesting enough to want to see the end, but controls/gameplay are janky af though and you apparently can't save?”
- “I love the aspect of this game, nice feel to it, graphics are nice, and the story is very interesting.”
- “The story itself is not very cohesive; it's mostly meant for shock value and little else.”
- “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.”
graphics
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
57%
9%
The graphics of the game are generally described as low-quality, reminiscent of retro PS1 or PS2 visuals, often enhanced by a VHS filter that contributes to its eerie atmosphere. While some players appreciate the nostalgic aesthetic and find it fitting for the horror theme, others criticize the simplistic and sometimes janky character models and textures, noting that the graphics can impede gameplay. Overall, the visuals are seen as functional and atmospheric, aligning with the game's indie nature and low price point, but they may not appeal to those seeking high-quality graphics.
- “The graphics hit that deliciously niche intersection between low poly and creepy.”
- “The grainy, low-budget aesthetic enhances the feeling that you’re watching a hidden horror film, and it contributes to the game's overall sense of being trapped in a nightmare.”
- “The graphics are beautifully uncanny, adding to the weird atmosphere of this spookily quiet convenience store.”
- “The graphics can be rough at times, with character models and environmental textures appearing somewhat dated or simplistic.”
- “Creepy atmosphere but no payoff and the graphics are not only bad but also impede gameplay.”
- “The graphics are obviously not top notch, but they are good enough and the game as a whole is rather enjoyable for me as a novice to horror games.”
gameplay
112 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
71%
11%
The gameplay of the game is generally described as straightforward and simple, often involving walking and light interactions, which some players found tedious and lacking depth. While the atmosphere and aesthetic received praise, many reviews noted that the gameplay can feel repetitive and directionless, with minimal engagement and a short playtime of around one to two hours. Despite its flaws, the game is considered a decent experience for horror enthusiasts, particularly due to its immersive qualities and affordable price.
- “Its accessible gameplay and manageable difficulty level make it a solid purchase, especially for those looking for a game they can finish in a single playthrough.”
- “The gameplay mechanics of the convenience store are relatively straightforward, with players navigating the store and interacting with objects to uncover the secrets hidden within.”
- “The gameplay is also fantastic, throwing in mundane, relatable, and everyday details like the main character commenting on what drinks she likes, and calling a rude customer a jerk under her breath.”
- “The gameplay was slow and repetitive, basically consisting of only walking to the store and doing boring tasks a couple of times, then you had to do one puzzle at the end which was 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.”
- “The gameplay overall is lacking - very slow and repetitive, and the limited 'puzzle(s?)' are simple and dull.”
grinding
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
4%
4%
93%
The reviews highlight a pervasive sense of tedium associated with grinding in the game, particularly due to slow walking speeds, repetitive tasks, and frustrating puzzles that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the atmosphere and find certain tedious elements charming, many express that the grinding nature of the gameplay ultimately undermines tension and engagement, making it feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, leading to frustration and a loss of investment in the game's narrative.
- “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.”
- “Its extremely tedious, and crucially eliminates any tension or frightening atmosphere the game may have been building.”
- “The gameplay itself is nothing all that exciting, and is in fact mostly tedious and kinda boring.”
humor
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark undertones and absurdity, often eliciting laughter through its quirky dialogue and comical character designs. Players appreciate the juxtaposition of humor and horror, with many moments that are unintentionally funny, particularly in the context of the protagonist's mundane tasks and the game's peculiar scenarios. Overall, while the game aims for scares, it frequently lands on the side of humor, making it a fun experience to share with friends.
- “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.”
music
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
65%
15%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its ability to enhance the atmosphere and create tension, particularly during night shifts. However, many found the soundtrack to be forgettable or overly simplistic, with criticisms aimed at its abrupt transitions and reliance on generic audio cues. Overall, while the sound design contributes to immersion, it lacks memorable or impactful musical elements.
- “The game's use of audio cues and subtle changes in the soundtrack adds to the immersion, keeping players on edge throughout their playthrough.”
- “The atmosphere of the game is probably the best part of this short 40-minute game, the creator of the game did a phenomenal job making the player feel and react as if they were in this situation, and the music and voiceover add to the gaming experience, making the atmosphere of the game even better as you play.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “I think there was a soundtrack, but I can't even remember after playing it twice, so I guess if there is, it's incredibly forgettable.”
replayability
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
65%
18%
Overall, the game has limited replayability, with most reviewers noting that it primarily offers a single experience with only a few endings to explore. While some players appreciate the initial journey and atmosphere, many feel that the lack of varied outcomes and minimal differences in subsequent playthroughs significantly diminish its replay value. Despite this, the game's low price point and cozy nature make it a worthwhile experience for a first playthrough.
- “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, 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.”
stability
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches and bugs that disrupt gameplay, including freezing issues and game-breaking errors. While some players have managed to complete the game despite these problems, the overall experience is described as clunky and directionless, leading to frustration. Overall, the game is considered rough around the edges, with stability issues significantly impacting enjoyment.
- “I think the story needs work, and it's insanely buggy and very directionless.”
- “It is loaded with glitches and I can't get past the 4th night because of some television glitch.”
- “The game freezes completely whenever I turn the flashlight on.”
optimization
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
17%
50%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising its performance as excellent, while others report significant issues such as crashes and the need to lower graphics settings from 4K to 1080p for better playability. Overall, the consensus suggests that the optimization is lacking, leading to frustration among players.
- “Performance: 10/10”
- “Optimization: I had to reduce from 4K to 1080p.”
- “Playable but not excellent optimization considering graphics.”
- “1 - Crashes and bad optimization.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game evokes a sense of unease and tension, particularly through the experience of navigating narrow streets at night, reminiscent of unsettling CCTV footage. While this creates a feeling of discomfort, some players also find a wholesome quality in the overall atmosphere.
- “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.”
- “Wholesome.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development in the game is perceived as lacking, with character designs described as creepy and off-putting, potentially intended to evoke a sense of fear. While the environment, particularly the store, effectively captures the essence of a typical 7/11, the overall experience is marred by tediousness and a lack of engaging character progression.
- “The character design also looks creepy, but the journey to the store from the house at first is creepy and makes you feel like someone is following you because it's so dark. However, you soon realize that once there is no threat, it becomes really annoying and tedious.”
- “The inner store itself actually looks pretty good and does a good job of conveying those typical 7/11s, but the character designs are pretty terrible, possibly intentional because they look scary.”