Security 51 is an Adventure, Simulation, Point and Click game from the cosmic entities at Alawar. A game that gives me the vibes of Papers, Please only more multidimensional. Which just like Papers, Please, there are major consequences to the actions you perform. You’ll have a lot of trial and error, but if you’re an attentive person like me, you’ll breeze through the first timeline. Now, let me scan you and give you a Rorschach test to see if you gain access to this review.
How was I suppose to know that this guy was going to just melt like pudding. All I did was scan them!
Gameplay
As I mentioned earlier this game is similar to Papers, Please. You’re a security guard who’s in charge of following the rules and determining if someone can enter, leave or just end up dead. However, throughout the different shifts you attempt, the requirements for entry changes more than an oil change. Learning new tools and keeping your eyes on the elevator as well. Which comes with some crazy things themselves.
You’ll come across different mutations, diseases and creatures that you can detain or kill if that’s your propagation. Before doing anything, always take a look at your glossary or rules before starting because man do certain conditions catch you. If you pay close attention, you can easily speed run it as long as you get a “Ignore everything if you find this” rule. Those are honestly a god-send and love the addition of this rule.
Now you can play this game with one mouse or use both mouse and keyboard. However, I highly recommend adding the keyboard to switch your view faster than the mouse. Lastly I’ll cover a couple of the extra things you’ll be doing during your shift. The longer you last, the more responsibilities you’ll get like testing and operations. Which testing has you dealing with detained personals and operations have you looking for the cure or resolution.
However, after a nice shift, we can use our money to either restore our hunger and mental levels. We can even improve the tech we use during the shift. Which you could do early, but hold off on it…trust me.
Graphics and Audio
Now something I love and appreciate is the complete use of pixel art and using it in such a way. Luckily the team at Alawar made some amazing designs that makes this SCP Security game seem like it’s own SCP. The details and fluid motions of the character when walking, getting detained or just killed is just…wow! Especially if you pay close attention to the easter eggs reference you’ll find throughout your shift. For example, one of the images has something that had me rolling on the floor laughing when I caught it.
Now the audio is pretty good. The sounds from using certain devices and the words the character speaks with slightly gets repetitive. Especially if you get a female employee to come in, there is a high chance you’ll hear 4 more times in that shift. Like I keep thinking I’m hearing something about potatoes at the end of her sentence. But, I know she doesn’t say that…it just gets drowned out and just brings life into itself.
Longevity
Security 51 took about 4 hours to beat the first timeline. Now you may be wondering why I said the first timeline three times now. Well, that’s because when you reach the entire shift, you’ll meet somethings that will have you splitting the timeline. Almost like the show Loki, but you’re not alone in the end. You’ll need eight other branches which you’ll need to figure out what needs to be done. Six of the branches will be easy to do. However the last two games make you work for it, so good luck with that.
It took me about 16 hours to beat the game, but could take someone less once you know what needs to be done.
Final Thoughts
I mentioned that this game reminds me of Papers, Please and if you enjoyed that game, then pick this up. It has really great game mechanics and the changing of the rules keep you on your toes. At first my attention felt split for just understanding the new items and looking at the time. But, once you get a rhythm to bounce on, you can blaze through shifts like butter. It’s fun, creative and some of the surprises you’re exposed to are rather enjoyable.
I give Security 51 the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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