The Night Shift Begins: Rules and Routine
Our night begins with the game's title screen, 'Shawarma Kiosk: Anomalies,' setting a mysterious tone. Upon entering the dimly lit kiosk, a guiding voice introduces the night shift, walking us through the basic tasks. First, we must turn on the grill to ensure the shawarma is hot, as customers apparently love it that way. Next, the serving window is opened, signaling that the kiosk is ready for business. The most crucial part is reading the safety rules, which quickly reveal the unsettling nature of the job. These rules include instructions for smiling customers, handling 'wet bundles,' inspecting for specific cars, and not looking directly into a faceless man's eyes, all while hinting at terrifying consequences for disobedience.
Serving Initial Customers & Minor Oddities
The first few customers seem relatively normal, easing us into the routine. A cheerful man orders a 'big one,' pays up, and receives his shawarma. Shortly after, another customer appears, stating he hasn't 'eaten all day' and orders a shawarma. After serving him, he eerily remarks, 'I know you farted in my food!', adding a layer of gross-out humor before an actual jumpscare occurs. These initial interactions serve to lull the player into a false sense of security, preparing them for the horrors to come.
Anomaly 1: The Refrigerator Creature
The calm is abruptly shattered by the first major anomaly. A grotesque creature violently lunges from the refrigerator, accompanied by a chilling scream. The screen is bathed in red as the creature attacks, causing the player to flinch or look away instinctively. This sudden, unexpected jumpscare is a brutal reminder that this is no ordinary shawarma stand, and something truly terrifying lurks within. After the attack, the creature disappears, leaving only a lingering sense of dread.
Anomaly 2: The Screaming Customer & Closed Window
Following the jumpscare, another customer appears at the window. This time, it's an old man who communicates in unsettling, distorted gibberish. Interpreting this as a sign that the customer 'must not be served at all,' the player quickly closes the window, as per the rules. However, the terror doesn't end there. Loud banging and frantic screaming erupt from outside the closed window, making it clear that the entity is still present and extremely agitated. After a tense period of noise, the window automatically reopens, revealing nothing outside, but leaving the player shaken.
Anomaly 3: Michael Myers' First Appearance
The atmosphere thickens as the infamous slasher Michael Myers steps into view. He approaches the window silently, staring menacingly. Despite the palpable tension, the player must follow the rules: 'If a silent customer comes in, serve him a soda.' After receiving payment, the player once again quickly closes the window. As soon as the shutters are down, violent banging and terrifying screams echo from outside, suggesting Michael Myers is not pleased. The player waits, listening to the horrifying sounds until they eventually subside, and the window opens, revealing an empty street once more.
Anomalies Continue: From Greasy Food to Faceless Men
The night progresses with a mix of routine orders and increasing anomalies. A regular woman orders, grateful for a late dinner. Soon after, an older man complains about his shawarma being too greasy, adding to the list of unusual customer interactions. Then, a customer notes how 'scary it is out here,' only for a faceless man to appear shortly after. Following the rule, the player serves him without looking directly at his face. The game continues to ramp up the tension with a woman asking about bathroom facilities, which, according to the rules, necessitates immediate window closure, leaving her frustrated.
Anomaly 4: The Unleaving Customer
A seemingly friendly smiling customer appears, orders a shawarma, and pays. However, a chilling twist occurs: as the player closes the window, the customer's voice proclaims, 'You closed the window... but he is still inside,' and then, 'He never left. We never leave.' This profound violation of reality confirms that not all customers are what they seem, and some entities defy the laws of physics, trapping themselves or something else within the kiosk's confines. The player is left with the terrifying implication that they are not alone.
Anomaly 5: Michael Myers' Bloody Attack
The eerie night culminates in a gruesome scene: Michael Myers is spotted near the refrigerator, which is now splattered with blood. A large chunk of meat is lying on the floor. Following a rule that states, 'Exit through the back door immediately' during an inspection, the player opens the back door. Outside, they find a money bundle in the trash, which they pick up. Upon returning to the kiosk, the situation has worsened. The shawarma skewer is completely empty, and a large pool of blood spreads across the floor near the fridge, indicating a violent and unsettling event has transpired. The player quickly closes the back door, and the screen turns blood-red, signaling a horrifying end to the shift. The game declares 'Shift Ended - Status: Unstable,' suggesting a failure to maintain control or survive the night's full horrors.
Conclusion
The night shift at Shawarma Kiosk is far from ordinary. What starts as a simple job serving customers quickly spirals into a fight for survival against a series of increasingly disturbing anomalies. From creatures in the fridge to unkillable slashers and customers who defy reality, the game masterfully builds tension and fear. The ambiguous nature of the 'rules' and the consequences of breaking them add a layer of psychological horror, making every decision critical. The ultimate outcome of the shift, marked by blood and the disappearance of the shawarma meat, leaves a lasting impression of dread and uncertainty, proving that some nights at the kiosk are better left unworked.