Embracing the Weird
I like how games are not scared of trying something a bit weird.
This is especially true of games in the indie market; titles such as Paradise Killer and Hypnospace Outlaw, however the same can be said for some bigger, more triple-A games; like Metaphor: ReFantazio, Slitterhead, and Scorn, for example.
Whatever, developers don’t seem to be afraid to buck trends and tell stories that are not necessarily linear, yet much stranger in content.
Sorry We’re Closed is one of those games where it combines some eccentric storytelling with old-school survival horror mechanics. But does it all come together?
A Nightmarish Encounter
You are Michelle, a 20-something trendy living in an undisclosed city/town. She works in the mini market shop and has just come out of a long-term relationship. It all feels normal enough until one night in her apartment she is visited by a sort of erotic demon who casts sleep paralysis on her, telling some strange news.
This demon – The Duchess – will visit her again in three days, with intention to kill if she doesn’t love her back. Michelle has to work out how to stop her and what she wants, hunting down the Duchesses ex and gaining their third eye which takes her to some very dreamlike places…
Sorry We’re Closed’s Narrative Strengths
Oh my, the writing is very good and the world-building is excellent in Sorry We’re Closed. It’s like Bayonetta on steroids, mixing the real-world 20-something problems of love, work, and life with this strange demon-filled fantasy world perfectly.
My favourite part of the game was just wandering around the universe and conversing with people and demons, reading explanations of things in the world. The dialogue is on point and the locations are wonderful as well.
A Familiar Feeling
It feels like playing an old Silent Hill or Alone in the Dark at times. You can explore the game as you like, looking at objects and talking to people. This is the first part of the game where you are catching up on the narrative, while the next part is more survival horror action based. After meeting The Duchess, Michelle gains a special ability – a third eye. With the third eye engaged she can see the supernatural world in the real world letting her move through it easily and solve some puzzles that way.
Combat occurs with a pistol, axe or shotgun, as the perspective changes to first person and shooting is key. Enemies have shiny hearts that you can hit for easier kills and damage and whilst I liked the combat, after a while, I did find it a tad annoying.
Boss Battles and Retro Vibes
However, the boss battles that appear along the way are varied and enjoyable to play. If you are a fan of those old-school horror mechanics then I think you will thrive in the world of Sorry We’re Closed. I enjoyed how they have taken something old, but instead of just copying it have instead made new ground and innovative gameplay.
Using PS1-inspired survival horror visuals as its template, Sorry We’re Closed is much more than just a straight homage. The character and creature design is so creative and unique and the Duchess itself is a strange mixture of erotic and horror that will ensure you are left uneasy. Level design and the world-building between the normal and the supernatural are cleverly used, as is the changing of perspective in the gameplay sections.
The game has a great soundtrack as well, full of memorable moods and atmosphere throughout. The boss battles accompanied by a rap track are a highlight, ensuring that these sections hit perfectly.
A Unique and Engaging Horror Experience with a Retro Twist
Retro gaming and old-school influences may be a bit marmite, but there’s no doubt you have to admire the developers who do something different with the old, all in hope of creating something new. Sorry We’re Closed does this brilliantly, with its visuals, soundtrack, strange story, and world-building. The combat sections are probably the least interesting moments of the game, but the boss battles more than make up for things; exciting and fun to play.
In a few words, if you like things a bit different, then I would highly recommend trying Sorry We’re Closed.
Important Sorry We’re Closed Links
Sorry We’re Closed Opens on Consoles – https://www.thexboxhub.com/sorry-were-closed-opens-on-consoles/
Buy Sorry We’re Closed on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/sorry-were-closed/9nh5qb9grfgh
