While We Wait Here

While We Wait Here is an unusual combination of a psychological horror and a simulation game. It was developed by the independent team Bad Vices Games, also responsible for just as disturbing and downright gruesome Ravenous Devils.

Plot

While We Wait Here takes place in a small restaurant owned by the playable character. During a one seemingly regular day hell breaks loose outside the building, televised broadcasts spreading alarming signals about the imminent end of the world as we know it. Authorities encourage people to head to Mount K, a place filled with large shelters.

While some of the restaurant's customers start fearing for their lives, others stay calm and put; some are more concerned with their personal troubles, others believe they're experiencing doomsday, others still disregard the information, not believing in it. Watching the disaster unfold, the player must decide whether they'll wait for what is to come or head to Mount K before it's too late.

Mechanics

The gameplay of While We Wait Here is shown from the first-person perspective (FPP). The players must serve their customers, who have come to eat, drink and talk.

After taking an order we must go to the restaurant's back, gather the necessary ingredients, prepare the meal (by manually frying meat, chips or flipping pancakes) and serve it to the customer. Afterwards we print the receipt, accept the payment, put the money in the register, and once the customer's done eating - clean the plates and wait for the next order.

That's not all, however, as many clients look for our support; by talking to them we can learn about their personal issues and offer advice, either helping them put their lives back together in their final moments or encourage them to run to Mount K before it's too late. Our choices shape the story and influence its ending.

Technical aspects

The old-school visuals of While We Wait Here bring to mind iconic games from the first PlayStation; with the addition of modern features, such as atmospheric lighting. The developers have managed to create a convincing picture of a raging disaster and an anxiety-filled atmosphere.