itch.io

Day 1. of reviewing the Itch.io games I've played so far = game n.2

Late Night Mop was a frustrating and unenjoyable experience from start to finish. The atmosphere, which is crucial for any horror game, was so weak and unengaging that I found myself bored almost immediately. It lacked the tension or eerie mood needed to create any genuine fear or excitement.

The jump scares were cliché and entirely predictable. They failed to deliver any real shock, feeling more like cheap tricks that were telegraphed far in advance. It became repetitive very quickly, and the lack of creativity left me feeling like I had seen it all before.

The gameplay itself is mind-numbingly tedious. Cleaning floors and throwing out trash sounds dull, and trust me, it is. The tasks were so repetitive and uninspired that they sucked whatever life the game had left right out of it.

The only redeeming quality is the game's decent graphics, but even that gets overshadowed by how awful the monster looked. It completely ruined any tension the game attempted to build.

Overall, I’d give Late Night Mop a 1/10—not even the visuals could save this one.

Day 1. of reviewing  the horror games I played from Itch.io so far.

Kiosk is a brief yet chilling horror experience that plunges you into the unsettling world of a late-night fast food kiosk. Developed by Vivi, it nails the eerie atmosphere right from the start. The setting—a cozy, rain-soaked food stand—contrasts sharply with the bizarre and creepy events that unfold, making for a genuinely tense experience.

What I Loved:

The atmosphere is undoubtedly Kiosk's strongest aspect. The visuals, sound design, and odd customers all work together to create a constant sense of unease. Every interaction feels off, and the game manages to make even mundane tasks like serving food unsettling. I loved how the game kept me on edge throughout, with the occasional glimpse of something lurking in the shadows—exactly what you'd want from a horror game.

Areas for Improvement:

However, the game's ending felt like a major letdown. The sudden introduction of bombs made little sense in the context of the story. It seemed out of place compared to the buildup of creepy lore and weird occurrences. I would suggest a more fitting conclusion—perhaps involving the fate of the missing worker. For example, having him reappear and kill the player would provide a more coherent and horrifying finish, staying true to the overall theme.

While the core gameplay is enjoyable, there are some issues that detract from the experience. Some customer orders take too long, which disrupts the pacing and tension. Additionally, a few of the jump scares felt a bit clichéd, and while they got me a couple of times, they didn’t add much to the atmosphere. I also ran into a few bugs here and there, which impacted the flow of the game.

Final Thoughts:

Despite these flaws, Kiosk offers a solid and enjoyable horror experience. The atmosphere is on point, and the game succeeds in creating a sense of dread that sticks with you. However, the weak ending, long orders, and some overused scares hold it back from being truly great. With a few adjustments—particularly to the ending—Kiosk could be a standout horror title.

Rating: 7/10 – A good horror game with potential, but with room for improvement.