The Closing Shift | 閉店事件

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andynomical

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Published on March 25, 2022 1:40:43 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhWoDrgjSoI

Duration: 1:48:04

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barista simulator

REVIEW:
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Simple as their games may be, Chilla's Art exceeds in making retro-esque and disconcerting experiences in their classic style. Even in the calm, you can't help but wonder that something is off and that's exactly the type of feeling that grows in The Closing Shift. I'm happy to say this game did not disappoint me.

The story this time around is different than the usual archetypes used in CA's plots. Instead of supernatural or demonic elements, your character goes to their job to work a night-shift at a coffee shop which serves for the majority of the game. Mostly it is peaceful and monotonous but over time it begins to sink in that something threatening is looming, that of a stalking presence. Nice use of foreshadowing too as the threat is something you interact with at the very start of the game.

Gameplay really is the bulk of this game as you pretty much serve orders to people coming into Chilla's Coffee most of the time and cleaning up the place on occasion. Despite it being a horror game, it also provides an opportunity for empathy to experience in a digital sense the demanding requirements of being a solo barista late at night, having to craft and bag drink and food items for continuous customers. Even more so when you're a petite young woman that might not have the means or ability to defend herself. This becomes more apparent when the gameplay turns to needing to escape the stalker later down the line by making the right choices to avoid and stop him from killing you.

Chilla's Art likes to have unconventional endings that usually fall upon being bittersweet or your downfall being inevitable. It seems to hint that in this game, all endings are either directly the latter or hint to it. Despite potentially killing the stalker in the "true ending", he survives and hides in your closet at home, leaving the player with a cliffhanger ending. Happiness is a rare commodity in horror games as even when you think you've won, the developers have other things in mind xd.

I do like CA's different approach to the story and gameplay in Closing Shift as opposed to some of their previous games that have designs of item hunts or walking simulators. Repetition does pose a risk in this game though as like I said before, most of the time you're just making drinks and bagging food on repeat. I suppose elements like different orders and unique interactions with customers does liven up the immersion but it does get a little bit tedious at times. Perhaps that's another theme of this game is being surprised by something new once you're stuck in monotony.

Overall, a pretty enjoyable experience. Gameplay is new to what CA usually does, interactions with characters are non-stop, the horror is gradual and keeps you wondering what will happen next and maybe you learn a thing or 2 about being a barista. Plus having a threat engrained in a physical form is refreshing to see opposed to your usual spooky ghosts or demons, it makes it seem more possible that it could happen even IRL. It is quite a treat this time around so I highly encourage those that may be new to the game to play it themselves and keep an eye out for more Chilla's Art games.