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0 Survival horror goes back in time in A la Mode Games’ latest release Sorry We’re Closed. Breakups can be tough. They’re even harder when there’s a horny demon invading your nightmares begging you to love them. With situations reminiscent of old school Resident Evil and Silent Hill, this neon coloured horror uses an inventive narrative and a cast of witty NPCs to fully immerse players into its world.
Heartbreak, Demons and Magical Guns. What could possibly go wrong?
Sorry We’re Closed is available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X & S and Xbox One. Let’s take a look at the PlayStation 5 version shall we?
Gameplay
You start your first day watching a drama as you close out Michelle’s mind-numbing work day. With little more to do, navigate your way to her small yet homely flat and send her to bed for the night. This is where the story begins.
Meet the Duchess, a demon desperate for love. After a very swift reaction from the main character you are introduced to the main combat assistant in the game – Michelle’s Third Eye. You don’t learn how to use it immediately as you haven’t travelled to the demonic world yet but it’s definitely there. I really appreciated just how quickly this game got into its story without revealing too much immediately. Sometimes with newer horror games it feels like you have to have two hour long sections to introduce you to the point. Not with Sorry We’re Closed. The quick move from monotonous life to hunting and killing demons matches the disjointed, off-beat narrative to a tee and works in its favour.
Static Cameras
One thing that I do not miss from the old horror games is the static cameras that feel like they’re always slightly in the wrong place. There were a couple of moments in the game where I felt like I had no idea where I was going because I just couldn’t see the exit. Thankfully, aiming your weapon gives you a decent first person view which allows you to fully survey an area. That being said, whilst the static camera wasn’t my favourite feature, I don’t think this game would have worked without it. The switch between third and first person was good and in certain areas you were fighting so often
Combat
The combat is the weakest part of this game, which says a lot because it’s not that bad. With the use of the third eye, Michelle stuns approaching enemies and reveals their weak points. Shooting all of these weak points will charge up your heartbreak meter which becomes this overpowered shot that you’ll need to kill some of the more powerful enemies. Unfortunately, there are times where it just feels like combat for the sake of combat and it can get really frustrating. There are times where it feels like there are too many enemies and if they stagger you out of an attack then you may as well just reload.
I ended up using the pistol for the majority of my play through and it served me really well but with limited ammo available, you will eventually have to use the hand axe which can have some pretty awkward hit boxes.
NPCs & Making Choices
Even though Michelle has a really interesting story, she’s not the most interesting member of this game. Every NPC, feels so important in this game. From Jester Dan to the Post-Demon, interacting with these characters adds so much to the story. They really excel in the moments between your hunt for Duchess victims. Rather than constantly be depressing or dark, they add a level of humour by having very real reactions to Michelle being a bit of a busy body. This is particularly obvious when you speak to the ‘Massive Eyesore’ who you batter as you make your way through the game. Seeing Michelle puts it in a bad mood and it is not afraid to tell her that.
At the moment the Eyesore is my favourite but I did fail to deliver a certain letter and I did let someone believe that a rat was actually a hamster so things might change on my next play through!
Graphics & Audio
Starting Sorry We’re Closed felt like playing an old Resident Evil game. The graphics really are old-school and reminiscent of PS1 horror games. The static camera and the low poly enemies really enhanced the vibes this game gives off.
The art style speaks for itself. The retro graphics and the odd designs of demons enhances the atmosphere that the game creates. It makes scenes feel uncomfortable and amplifies the way that the lighter voice lines brighten the mood. It works hand in hand with the ambient music and sounds that surround the character. There were plenty of moments down long hallways where the only sounds were my own footsteps and monsters in the distance.
When there is music, it’s impossible to not bop along. The soundtrack for this game is insanely good and further adds to the game. It is particularly strong in boss fights against crazy creatures. Obviously the game has pretty simple combat mechanics. With the soundtrack over the top, the fights become more intense and fitting with the story.
The old graphic design and the audio make this game work. I don’t think this game would be as compelling if it had newer HD graphics. Sorry We’re Closed has the best art direction I’ve seen in games that I’ve played recently. As a result, I keep going back to this game over everything else that I’ve downloaded.
Longevity
A single play through of Sorry We’re Closed lasts around 8 hours. However, at the end of each day you get a 5 star ranking depending your completion rate. For perfectionists there is plenty of exploration to do to get full stars. There are also different side quests given to you by NPCs that you encounter. For example, there is a chef in the hotel that wants specific ingredients, a shadowy figure that wants something to snack on as well as bigger plots that will effect the out come of your game.
I was really indecisive on my initial run (and got the trophy to prove it) so I’m looking forward to going back and playing a specific route that I avoided doing this time. I was really good at accidentally making characters made at me because I couldn’t stick to one plot point. This made the characters feel real, even with the neon demons running around.
Final Thoughts
As a debut release, Sorry We’re Closed exceeds every expectation. Joining Michelle on her adventure to free herself from her breakup is an adventure I will never forget. I couldn’t stop playing and I’m excited to find out what the other endings hold for me. It is a very worthy addition to any horror fan’s library.
As a result, I have to give Sorry We’re Closed the Thumb Culture Gold Award.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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