Developer: James Muirhead
Publisher: James Muirhead
Platforms: PC
Release Date: Out Now
Key Provided: No
A few months ago, Indie Horror Gamer chatted to Grease Trap ‘99’s developer, Scotsman James Muirhead. Set inside a remote seaside chippie sometime in 1999, his project drew significant local attention for its authentic setting and weird, Lovecraftian vibe. After enjoying the demo, here’s the full game, just in time for Halloween.
It’s the night shift, and you are on your own, serving hungry customers early into the next morning. Some are drunk; some are just oddballs. All need their battered, calorie-laden fix of chips, fish, sausage and pizza. Yes, battered pizza, apparently a genuine Scottish delicacy, unlike battered Mars Bars, which is just for the tourists. At the end of each evening, the gelatinous boss grades you according to your performance; get too many orders wrong, or take too long, so that the drunks really can’t hold it in any longer (ew), and you’ll find yourself on the sharp end of a D or E grade. Puke-related disasters aside, it isn’t long before something is calling you. Is it in your mind, or is it real? Either way, you descend the steps to the shadowy basement, and discover the source of the voice.
No spoilers. But it ain’t nice.
The PSX-Nineties style perfectly suits Grease Trap ’99, and the mechanics of the game work simply and intuitively. Three fryers run constantly, and keeping the chips flowing is vital if you want an A or B grade. Compiling orders is easy, and the timer in the right-hand corner keeps the pressure on. Should this fill up, it’s upchuck time.
A special note should be made about the audio, all made by either Muirhead or voice actors. The Gaelic-only soundtrack may put off some, but I personally found the language fascinating to listen to, a curious mix of Scottish and Norwegian accents that sometimes sounds almost English—but not quite. However, there’s no reason for this to dissuade you from playing what is, in essence, a brief but thoroughly enjoyable and uncanny horror, with one or two grisly moments. Hopefully its developer can incorporate an endless mode and achievements at some point.
Pros: great atmosphere, intuitive gameplay, superior and human-made audio that exudes personality.
Cons: short and not particularly complex if you’re after something a bit more in-depth.
CONCLUSION
Like a short story by HP Lovecraft himself, Grease Trap ’99 is a fascinating and gruesome dark tale that’ll make a decent snack for horror fans. Salt and vinegar, mate?
