Nightmare Shift has a strong premise but poor execution
I really like the premise of Nightmare Shift, a short, low-budget horror game by indie developer Binary Lunar. Launched on PC last year and now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it puts you in the shoes of a young woman called Emma, who’s just about to start a brand new job working the nightshift at a motel. And as you’ve probably guessed, there are some worrying events in store.
After a quick explanation of your main duties, Nightmare Shift throws you straight into your new job. You’ll have to deal with multiple customers that come in, looking for a place to stay for the night. Though before letting them go to their rooms you’ll have to make sure they’re ready and fully stocked with supplies such as toilet roll and towels. Along with fielding any phone calls and checking security cameras, it’s pretty engaging work.
There’s an undercurrent of dread from the outset of Nightmare Shift, though, what with your colleague telling you of the weird things that occasionally happen. One of your earliest customers isn’t particularly nice, either, which may put you on edge. But things really kick off when you receive a report about a flickering light in a room that should be empty.
The horrors in Nightmare Shift aren’t just confined to the motel, either. With the game’s events taking place over numerous days, Emma’s home life will also start to be affected by strange happenings, and you’ll visit other locations, too. It’s a game that keeps you on your toes, then, not letting you get bogged down by routine.
It’s just a shame that, being a low budget indie endeavour, Nightmare Shift is rather lacking in various areas. The voice acting is all over the place, for example, with Emma in particular being poorly voiced. The animation of the game’s characters is also sub-par, and then there’s the gameplay, which is as basic as can be. You simply have to follow a string of objectives, though sometimes you’ll be at a loss at what exactly you have to do.
Ultimately, it’s hard to outright recommend Nightmare Shift, but some will certainly enjoy it. It’s not the scariest game out there, but putting yourself in the shoes of a young woman looking after a motel at night alone, it has its moments. It’s just the tick-box nature of the gameplay that lets its down, as well as its budget presentation. But considering the small team that’s made it, the latter is easy to excuse.
Nightmare Shift is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.
