Sorry We're Open

I highly recommend playing this, especially if you've enjoyed previous games by the oates (and if not, consider trying them as well). Took me about 9 hours to get all (I think) 4 endings and find all the dialogue/use all the items, but it can be done quicker, I think. There were no "I'm stuck" moments, since careful playthrough gives you all the items necesssary for moving forward. I really love the style of the graphics and customizable filters that adds to the tense atmosphere. The topic of corporate work hell is just a cherry on top.

Like previous oates games, I was a bit confused and frustrated figuring out the obtuse mechanics at first, but it clicked. Actually quite easy once you figure it out. Wild genre mashup that somehow works. JRPG survival horror roguelike text adventure metroidvania set in a department store! Has more to say than just "retail is hell" and has a serious vibe. Bit short.

This was a really good experience. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I liked this game. It's a strange little setting, and pretty surreal. Obviously, it deals with subject matter like large corporations dehumanizing and abusing people, but surprisingly goes deeper than that one topic that's been tackled a billion times over at this point. It more so focus' on human connection and our affect on each other, from individual to individual, corporate to individual, and the public as a whole. The gameplay isn't too hard overall. The combat is easy, at least with the staff setup I chose. I never died or lost a staff member during my playthrough.