Released in the last quarter of 2019, One Night Stand is one of those small independent games that find its audience on download platforms (PS Store, Xbox Live, Nintendo E-Shop) and that deserve a little more attention.
If you are a little curious about indie games, you must have crossed paths with Ratalaika Games. This publishing house offers many video games at low prices and is distinguished by a very retro artistic touch, experimenting with all possible game genres, for better or for worse. Some of their productions like 36 Fragment of Midnight or Inksplosion have become must-haves for "completionists" wishing to get an additional 100% (or Platinum on PS4). The recipe for this production box seems to hit the mark within a small community of players: a short but pleasant experience, a small price and a great facility to complete the game.
However, this recipe can be quite controversial. Indeed, with the exception of the Trophy Hunters, is discovering the game really worth it? So what is this One Night Stand worth?
Offered at the price of 5 euros, One Night Stand puts you in the shoes of a man waking up with a terrible hangover, in a room he does not know and with a perfect stranger at his side. Several decisions will then be available to you. Would you take the powder or try to get to know the young lady? The choice is yours.
An embarrassing situation…
Kinmoku's first development, One Stand Night features a short, effective story with different endings. We enjoy identifying with this complicated situation and thinking about how to get out of it without too much embarrassment. Admittedly, it is not as varied as a Life is Strange or a Detroit Become Human but we must not forget that we are dealing with a low-budget game! Note that sound effects and music are royalty-free, as the end credits remind us.
In this closed door with the appearance of a comic strip, you will have to explore in the manner of a point'n'click the room of the young woman, room which is divided into three large search boxes. However, you will be forced to discuss with the young woman after choosing a combination of three objects.
These objects have the sole purpose of revealing the eventful evening and the identity of the young lady. This lasts until the end of the game which is reached in about twenty minutes. It's very short, but knowing all the endings in order to discover the true conclusion is worth seeing. Especially since you will not complete your "survey" in one part.
To put it simply, the duration will depend on what the young woman thinks of you. Try to stay friends and you can chat with her longer. Try to find out more about her by snooping, but be careful not to get caught. Steal stuff from her and she'll immediately kick you out after five minutes of play.
Let's get to know each other!
You will understand: everything is possible to arrive at an optimistic or humiliating end. When she's away, make sure to learn more about her by clicking on the makeup box, novels and what's none of your business… Then ask her.
Don't be too curious either! You can also take advantage of the combination of objects to get dressed, be silent in front of it and leave soon after. In short, simply be yourself! But if you make a bad choice, face the consequences! Sometimes you will have deserved it!
However, one could criticize the randomness of these combinations of objects and the choice of dialogues. Let's take an example: by digging a little deeper into the musical tastes of the young woman, you can ask her to interact with an object in the decor (which leads to a beautiful beginning of friendship!). An interaction that will not be able to take place if you answer poorly to simple questions about your health or your choice of coffee …
Suffice to say that it is frustrating to repeat the story several times because of a trivial choice that turns out to be essential.
If you are afraid of a stalemate, you can save at any time by pausing the game. In addition, the game invites you to hunt for easy trophies by encouraging you to discover and persevere even when you make mistakes that will force you to start the game again. We could still blame them for having built the game in such a way that it is a pretext for replayability, especially since the game is very short and the gameplay quite limited.
The One Night Stand experience is pleasant to discover. Rather aimed at fans of narrative games, this one will intrigue you, despite its flaws and its short lifespan. But for such a price, why deprive yourself?
