If you’re a fan of tense horror experiences mixed with clever teamwork and a healthy dose of paranoia, Shift at Midnight is a game you’ll want to keep an eye on. Set in a nostalgic 90s rural gas station, this online co-op horror title pits you and your friends against unsettling creatures disguised as customers. Let’s break down everything you need to know about this intriguing horror game in detail.
What Is Shift at Midnight?
Shift at Midnight is an online cooperative horror game designed for 1 to 3 players. You take on the role of a night-shift attendant at a remote gas station set in the 1990s. However, the job isn’t as ordinary as it seems — some of the customers who visit during your shift aren’t human. These creatures are masters of deception, blending in as regular people. Your job is to spot them before it’s too late.
Players can either brave the night alone in single-player mode or team up with up to three friends online to survive the shift together. The game combines interrogation mechanics, survival horror, and resource management into a nerve-wracking multiplayer experience.
Interrogate Your Customers
The heart of Shift at Midnight lies in its unique interrogation system. Every time a customer enters the gas station, it’s your responsibility to determine if they’re human or something more sinister.
Here’s how it works:
- You may ask each customer up to five questions. These questions are designed to uncover inconsistencies or suspicious behavior.
- You’ll need to examine their ID closely, checking for oddities or forged details.
- Use the computer terminal to cross-check their information — names, birthdates, licenses, and other records.
- Pay attention to their body language and mannerisms. Some creatures might twitch, avoid eye contact, or act strangely under pressure.
- If you fail to identify a creature or accuse an innocent person by mistake, the consequences can be deadly.
Board Up, Lay Traps, and Hide
The danger in Shift at Midnight escalates quickly if you let a creature slip through undetected. If a monster manages to leave the store without being exposed:
- The atmosphere shifts into survival horror mode.
- You’ll need to barricade doors and windows to slow them down.
- Set traps around the store to catch or injure the creature.
- And when all else fails, find a hiding spot and pray they don’t find you.
At this point, the game switches from a tense investigative thriller to a desperate fight for survival. Creatures can be relentless, and teamwork becomes vital to making it through the night.
Free Singleplayer Demo Available
For those eager to try the game, a free single-player demo is already available on Menuz.org. This demo lets players experience the tension of working the graveyard shift alone and gives a taste of the game’s core mechanics — from interrogating customers to dealing with terrifying confrontations.
A Multiplayer Demo Is on the Horizon
The development team has set a goal to unlock a free multiplayer co-op demo on Steam once they reach 20,000 wishlists. Hitting this milestone would bring the full multiplayer experience one step closer to release and let players get a hands-on feel for the cooperative horror elements the game promises.
Final Thoughts
Shift at Midnight stands out in the horror game genre for its inventive blend of interrogation gameplay, survival horror mechanics, and cooperative multiplayer design. Set against the eerie backdrop of a 90s gas station, it delivers both nostalgia and nerve-wracking tension. Whether you choose to brave the night alone or with friends, keeping your wits about you is key, because in this game, appearances can be fatally deceiving.
If you love horror games that test your instincts, teamwork, and nerves, this is one to watch.
