Despite my embarrassingly low scare tolerance, indie studio à la mode games managed to open my Third Eye. In the dev duo’s inaugural release, Sorry We’re Closed, follow lovesick Michelle through Heaven and hell as she works to heal her heart — and a sinister supernatural curse. Like many human folks’ journeys to healing, however, Michelle’s gets, well, scary.
Vibes are way off in Michelle’s dingy city, and residents are taking notice. Looming darkness and mysterious disappearances leave her and her network of unfairly-cool friends longing for answers. But our protagonist has enough on her plate, toiling away at a dead-end job and trying to fill the void left behind by her now-famous ex. But as Michelle lies in bed mourning a love unrequited, a towering pink presence appears in her doorway. From there, with just the snap of her fingers, Michelle opens a paranormal Pandora’s Box beyond my wildest (fever) dreams.
Image Credit: Akupara Games.
The fifth-gen-inspired design, once reminiscent of childhood comforts, leaves my stomach in knots. Vivid hues and polygonal characters trigger the “uncanny valley” alarm. Angular faces, crunchy sounds, and exaggerated dimensions disturb and discomfort. The dim, “adjust-brightness-until-barely-visible” surroundings seem much gloomier juxtaposed with Pepto Bismol-pink terrors. Dreamy mixed-media title cards and menu screens are ethereal. A fitting lo-fi soundtrack thumps like a heartbeat.
“Fear is a powerful tool. I’ve never had power like that. It must be nice.”
A fixed camera prevents players from peering past corners. Sometimes, the only way to anticipate your next move is to toggle first-person mode, allowing Michelle to rotate 360 degrees. She can’t walk or run in first-person; Michelle can only examine her immediate surroundings or aim weaponry. Completionists’ are rewarded for their persistence — and nosiness — accumulating achievements for opening doors and hydrating with hoarded water bottles. Mingle with demons and rub elbows with angels as you control Michelle’s fate and the fates of others. Uncover friends’ double lives and unpack some hard truths as your end rapidly approaches.
Image Credit: Akupara Games.
Ultimately, the title’s emotional dialogue and well-timed silence left me pondering my own mortality, identity, and understanding of love. Even the strongest supernatural characters struggle with romantic relationships and the ability to give and accept love. Side characters pine and yearn, describing lost love as akin to exile from Heaven. But at a time when many feel particularly vulnerable, it’s almost reassuring to see omnipotent characters balance anxiety, fear, and insecurity. For a bunch of biblically-accurate low-poly angels, they sure feel human.
Sorry, We’re Closed is a standout, even for folks fearful of being afraid. The horror/strategy title marries Xavier: Renegade Angel and Resident Evil, all with dreary London as a fitting backdrop. Fans of Persona and Catherine will relish this challenging, thought-provoking title from newcomer à la mode games and LA-based distributor Akupara.