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The American diner is etched in our collective consciousness thanks to films, books, and storytelling. These roadside havens, often found on lonely highways in the middle of nowhere, are where runaways seek refuge, crimes unfold, affairs blossom, and mysteries simmer. Diners have existed since the 1870s, but their iconic design, reminiscent of railway carriages with their long, narrow spaces, emerged in the 1920s, always happy to go offering comfort food and bottomless coffee.
While We Wait Here is a game set in such a diner, nestled in the heart of the desert. But in this atmospheric narrative adventure, the line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving you questioning what is real and true.
How can I describe this game without giving too much away? It’s a challenging task, as the narrative is both potent and surprising. While marketed as a kitchen management game, it’s so much more than that. The story unfolds in a diner run by an ordinary couple looking to sell up and move on. They serve a handful of regulars: an old farmer, an aspiring actress, and a young man with a fascination for aliens. Then there are the strangers: an angry man battling a whiskey demon, two women on the run, and a couple with a baby. A devastating storm rages outside, forcing everyone to seek shelter within the diner’s walls…
If you think you’ve figured out where the narrative is heading, think again. While We Wait Here constantly surprises, weaving a tapestry of interconnected stories with ambition and courage. I was captivated by this world, which evoked the atmosphere of indie films and David Lynch movies.
The gameplay features diverse elements, though the game’s technical aspects occasionally struggle to keep pace. It’s a bit rough around the edges, with jarring cuts, sudden loading screens, and occasional jankiness. However, these minor flaws are easily forgiven, thanks to the compelling narrative and ambitious scope.
The core gameplay revolves around cooking and serving customers in the diner. You take orders, ranging from simple cups of coffee to cheeseburgers and fries. You prepare the coffee, fry the patties, assemble the burgers, and operate the deep fryer for the fries. It’s a simple, addictive loop that captures the essence of diner life.
As you delve into the sub-stories, new gameplay mechanics emerge. You might find yourself milking a cow, smashing a car with a baseball bat, or even battling aliens on a spaceship. These unexpected twists keep the experience fresh and exciting, though some elements are more polished than others.
The game’s visuals evoke a PlayStation 2-era aesthetic, reminiscent of early Grand Theft Auto titles. The clever use of edits and cuts enhances the storytelling, and the stranger visual elements add to the game’s unique charm.
That is complemented by a soundtrack that is excellent, blending ambiance and menace with rhythmic beats that underscore the narrative’s progression. The voice cast delivers strong performances, particularly the actress portraying Nora, the heart of the diner.
I appreciate ambition in games, and I’m willing to overlook minor technical hiccups if the core experience is compelling.
While While We Wait Here isn’t always smooth, but its storytelling is exemplary. The narrative is strange, eerie, and full of surprises and I admire the developers’ willingness to experiment with different gameplay mechanics and their effective use of old-school visuals. I also found the core diner management loop surprisingly addictive. But focusing solely on that would be a disservice to the game, as While We Wait Here offers so much more.
Buy While We Wait Here on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/while-we-wait-here/9n3vjvmffvfn