In the world of horror games, it's not uncommon to twist and transform otherwise mundane locations to create an unsettling atmosphere. Ordinary locations can give the player a false sense of security before revealing some kind of hidden darkness.
The horror creatures, unsettling atmosphere, and supernatural imagery in the horror game blend perfectly with mundane locations. Compared to sci-fi horror games such as Dead Space, these settings often provide a more down-to-earth experience. This is not to disparage Dead Space, but to point out the effectiveness of the mundane in a horror game. As a result, ordinary workplaces such as offices, convenience stores, and even pizzerias have managed to provide a rich backdrop for various horror games.
Foreign media Gamerant has taken stock of a number of horror games set in the daily workplace, let's take a look.
Shadows on Route 80: A minimally small horror game with a lo-fi aesthetic and a rising sense of horror that brings players plenty of horror. In the game, the player takes on the role of a gas station attendant on a night shift, a simple workplace with an unsettling atmosphere that grows tense as the game progresses.
Happy Burger Farm: Combines an unsettling horror atmosphere with first-person cooking mechanics to provide an experience that is often unsettling yet surprisingly engaging. While the game's visuals look less budget-friendly, the attention to detail in the environment makes up for it.
No Delivery: A blend of role-playing, survival horror, procedural generation, and even rogue-like elements, No Delivery is a very unique and underrated horror game. Players take on the role of a night shift employee of a run-down pizza parlor in the game.
Rewind Or Die: is a low-poly, PSX-style indie horror game set in a 90s VHS store. It also features multiple character perspectives, one of which works right out of this store. This workplace is tied to the game's narrative, providing a nostalgic backdrop to the game's unsettling tone.
Employee Of The Month: A retro-style horror-comedy game set in a convenience store. It focuses on creating a strong and unsettling atmosphere, relying on sound design, story, and attention to detail to provide players with an immersive experience.
Still Awaken the Abyss: is a narrative-focused horror game set on an oil rig at sea. It may be a bit disappointing for players who prefer to focus more on gameplay, but it is worth keeping an eye on for players who enjoy narrative horror games and immersive graphics.
F.E.A.R.: This first-person action horror game is known for its dynamic AI opponents and high-intensity first-person shooter action. While it's not the scariest game, the horror element between its outbursts of action still scares occasionally. The game environment is mainly set in various office hallways and rooms, contrasting with the high-concept action.