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Welcome, We’re open

Sorry We’re Closed is very unique-looking game. Not just with the graphics, but gameplay-wise as well. No wonder it caught my eye back in November, 2024 when it was released on Steam, snatching overwhelmingly positive feedback. I couldn’t play it as I don’t own any Windows computers, but thankfully Sorry We’re Closed was released on March 6, 2025 on other platforms and I played this through on my PS5 Pro console.

Plot

The main character, Michelle, tries to break a curse put on her by a demon. One night, after she got home from work, she is driven into this dream-like world, where she is saved by some mysterious entity. After that she discovers another world full of monsters, reminding me little bit of Silent Hill-esque ensemble.

The game includes countless of interesting characters in the little place she lives, which, player must interact with—and the game is very dialogue-heavy, just let you know. There are also various endings depending the dialogue choices player makes.

The story was overall good. I liked to interact with everyone and everything I could. All the characters felt unique, even though, very extra—and lots of LGBTQ+ themes can be found in this game, which is always a good thing. I don’t know how many endings there are in total, but I managed to get an ending that I wanted.

Gameplay, controls, audio and visuals

The gameplay in Sorry We’re Closed is very reminiscing to the 90s games. It has fixed camera angles, with survival horror elements. Player must manage the inventory, health, ammo and other items. Also solve puzzles and interact with NPCs not just with dialogues, but give them certain items.

As there are monsters to fight in the Sorry We’re Closed, it happens in first person mode. Yes, it might sound odd and truth to be told; I didn’t like it that much at first. It did work, but it felt cumbersome to kill enemies that way, but I did grew to like it in the end. I think I know why developer have opted for the first person mode; because of the Third Eye. Yes, it is a literal third eye that the main character has that can see things that she cannot normally see, such as enemies’ weak spots. By collecting artefacts and selling them at merchant player can upgrade things like the Third Eye and weapons. The weapons player has at disposal are handgun, shotgun and an axe.

The game felt kinda hard at first, at least for me even with easiest difficulty. I think the longer I played the more I got used to the game. Thankfully there is something that helps a lot; an endless water bottle that heals (that can be added via options). It helped me to get through the game. Even so, I only died once in the whole playthrough.

Controlling the main character was very easy. There are options for the control scheme and I opted for “modern” controls but there are so-called “tank controls” that were very popular in the 90s games. There are even option for “motion sensor” aiming. All the accessibility options includes: remappable controls, aim assist, no-hold button toggles, logbook, infinite healing and additional comfort options.

Sorry We’re Closed isn’t voice acted. It was totally fine with a game like this that is very nostalgic to the 90s. But what the game has is very good music and sound effects.

Visually I simply loved the art style. It’s colourful, bold and has this weird mixture of 90s video game to 80s anime. All the character models were so extra and enemies freaky. Some of the areas kinda reminded me of early Silent Hill games, if I must to compare it to something.

“The power of Christ compels you!”

I simply loved Sorry We’re Closed. I’m always a sucker for unique indie like this. The game is very well-made and I really suggest you to try this one out if you are 90s kid, survival horror fan, or just even interested. I played it though in about 5 hours.

Sorry We’re Closed is available on PS5 (reviewed using PS5 Pro), PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and Windows.

(Review copy kindly provided by the publisher)

SCORE:

5/5

“The gameplay in Sorry We’re Closed is very reminiscing to the 90s games”

RELEASE DATE: March 6, 2025
GENRE: Horror / Adventure / Unique
DEVELOPER: à la mode games
PUBLISHER: Akupara Games
PLATFORMS: PS5 (reviewed using PS5 Pro)
PS4
Xbox Series X|S
Xbox One
Nintendo Switch
Windows

 

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