‘The Closing Shift’ both disturbs, entertains

“The Closing Shift” is a Japanese horror game developed by Chillas Art. This game is about a girl who works the last shift of the night at a coffee shop. As you continue to play the game, the story ends up taking turns from the psychological to the supernatural.

This game is one that keeps you on edge, and with that VHS film aesthetic, it makes the overall feel of the game more creepy in its own way. You have to deal with different types of customers along with a stalker right around the corner. There’s always something to keep you occupied for the 1-3 hours you play, such as little details and Easter eggs to find every shift. The game also has multiple endings, so it may take longer if you want to see them all.

This game’s story  is very telling of things that are terrifying and disturbing, things that are capable of happening in real life. It gives you the feeling of being alone with someone who is always watching you to no end, even if you can’t see them. You have to be put in a young girl’s place who has no one but herself to rely on, plus deal with the varying types of customers.

Through this game, you are able to go through something that could be traumatizing if it were in real life. The fact that it could be someone’s actual reality adds to the layers of realism the game presents. But despite it being a horror game, it doesn’t shy away from comedy, so you can also get a good laugh out of it, too.

Overall, this game is great to play and is worth the $5.99 that it costs, if you have some extra money.
If you don’t mind the coffee simulator part of the game, that is. Players have to continuously make drinks and serve customers to get along the different types of weeks that the game features. The rating is mature for certain audiences, so you have to at least be 16 to play, but I do recommend it.