Night Shift establishes a much shorter horror experience which is centered around one major scripted set-piece. The game focuses on building an ominous atmosphere, invoking isolation and paranoia in the player.
Players assume the role of Debra Kopiske, a night shift gas station cashier that takes over from the previous clerk. Debra is assigned with general routine duties like sweeping the floors, restocking the shelves, and managing the cash register. Things seem to be going well, and despite the atmosphere there appears to be little threat within the initial moments of the game. However, an unsettling atmosphere begins to build as Debra notices a mysterious white van circling the gas station repeatedly. After dealing with several customers, one in particular appears exceedingly suspicious. As he leaves, the silence is broken by the sound of someone entering the property. Fueled by a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, she embarks on an investigation that ultimately leads her into a perilous confrontation with the Night Shift Abductor.
Unlike other Puppet Combo games, there is no established threat that serves to warn the player. Instead, the game design approach is used to invoke uncertainty as the player isn't sure of the intentions of those who come to the gas station. This highlights a new avenue of horror-related feelings, and serves to encourage the player to mistrust and question all of the strange happenings both inside and outside the gas station. This must be a very real experience and fear that many night shift workers have had to endure or question.
The game has significantly more dialogue than any other Puppet Combo game thus far, and actually incorporates a lot of humour which complimented the perilous atmosphere that would later arise. With the release of Scary Tales Vol 1, an anthology of Puppet Combo shorts, and a release of the sequel Stay Out of the House, Night Shift would receive an update featuring voice acting, which is the current standard for modern Puppet Combo releases.
There's something impressive about the atmosphere within this game. Although brief, the uneasiness is everpresent, and you can never shake the feeling that you're being watched. I do feel disappointed with the fact that there isn't a lot of leniancy in the freedom of the experience, it is very much designed to be played in a specific way, leading up to a single jumpscare. Although this moment is effective, I can't help but feel as if this could have gone on for much longer. I compare it to [Chilla's Art] The Closing Shift and I see very similar ideas executed in vastly different ways.
One of my favourite touches in Night Shift is the presence of a playable arcade machine, featuring an 8-bit rendition of the events of Power Drill Massacre, featuring the classic jumpscare noise and dialogue reworked into the gameplay akin to an Atari 2600. This is a really nice detail, and highlights the studio's desire to stay true to their roots.
Although familiar with other Puppet Combo titles, the artstyle feels like it was upgraded once more. Their horror experiences feel much more intense within claustrophobic environments and interiors such as the gas station, boarding school, and factory as opposed to open-ended large city environments as seen in The Night Ripper. I have praised the artstyle countless times throughout my playthrough of Puppet Combo games but it truly does deserve it's honourable mention with every title as it has reintroduced this artstyle into the indie game horror scene. A short experience, but I would recommend experiencing even if it's just watched on YouTube, as it is well-crafted despite it's linearity.
Players assume the role of Debra Kopiske, a night shift gas station cashier that takes over from the previous clerk. Debra is assigned with general routine duties like sweeping the floors, restocking the shelves, and managing the cash register. Things seem to be going well, and despite the atmosphere there appears to be little threat within the initial moments of the game. However, an unsettling atmosphere begins to build as Debra notices a mysterious white van circling the gas station repeatedly. After dealing with several customers, one in particular appears exceedingly suspicious. As he leaves, the silence is broken by the sound of someone entering the property. Fueled by a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, she embarks on an investigation that ultimately leads her into a perilous confrontation with the Night Shift Abductor.
Unlike other Puppet Combo games, there is no established threat that serves to warn the player. Instead, the game design approach is used to invoke uncertainty as the player isn't sure of the intentions of those who come to the gas station. This highlights a new avenue of horror-related feelings, and serves to encourage the player to mistrust and question all of the strange happenings both inside and outside the gas station. This must be a very real experience and fear that many night shift workers have had to endure or question.
The game has significantly more dialogue than any other Puppet Combo game thus far, and actually incorporates a lot of humour which complimented the perilous atmosphere that would later arise. With the release of Scary Tales Vol 1, an anthology of Puppet Combo shorts, and a release of the sequel Stay Out of the House, Night Shift would receive an update featuring voice acting, which is the current standard for modern Puppet Combo releases.
There's something impressive about the atmosphere within this game. Although brief, the uneasiness is everpresent, and you can never shake the feeling that you're being watched. I do feel disappointed with the fact that there isn't a lot of leniancy in the freedom of the experience, it is very much designed to be played in a specific way, leading up to a single jumpscare. Although this moment is effective, I can't help but feel as if this could have gone on for much longer. I compare it to [Chilla's Art] The Closing Shift and I see very similar ideas executed in vastly different ways.
One of my favourite touches in Night Shift is the presence of a playable arcade machine, featuring an 8-bit rendition of the events of Power Drill Massacre, featuring the classic jumpscare noise and dialogue reworked into the gameplay akin to an Atari 2600. This is a really nice detail, and highlights the studio's desire to stay true to their roots.
Although familiar with other Puppet Combo titles, the artstyle feels like it was upgraded once more. Their horror experiences feel much more intense within claustrophobic environments and interiors such as the gas station, boarding school, and factory as opposed to open-ended large city environments as seen in The Night Ripper. I have praised the artstyle countless times throughout my playthrough of Puppet Combo games but it truly does deserve it's honourable mention with every title as it has reintroduced this artstyle into the indie game horror scene. A short experience, but I would recommend experiencing even if it's just watched on YouTube, as it is well-crafted despite it's linearity.