Sorry We're Closed Review (princefado)
I've finished enough routes I think to review the game overall, although I intend to play more of the game and finish all routes.
Music: First of all, the song "Dream Eater" alone was almost enough to make me buy the game. I know most trailers show off the best bits, but in this case, it definitely lived up to the excitement felt in every bit of the boss fights. The music throughout is great, and I loved that each boss had their own theme (with lyrics!) If you're not a fan of rap, know that I think the technical skill of the performers transcends genre preference. The overall ambient music is great too, and I love the music that plays in the churchyard.
Combat: SWC's combat is styled to be slightly clunky in a retro, Silent Hill way; you cannot run and shoot, you must stand still, and the camera perspective switches between 3rd and 1st, adding to some disorientation. This means there IS quite a bit of an initial learning curve... but once you learn it, it feels *very* good, and extremely satisfying. Normally, this style of gameplay isn't really my cup of tea; but fortunately, in place of difficulty levels, SWC has instead a variety of accessibility features, which run the gamut from a beneficial aiming drift, pure auto-lock aiming, to infinite health recovery. After a good deal of frustration in the first level, I played through the game with the lower end of aiming assist, and felt that it really made the game much more enjoyable for me, while still providing an adequate challenge. Having specific options that I can control as a player feels MUCH better than simply having one "Easy" mode.
Aesthetics: The character designs are ON POINT. I cannot get over how hot everyone is in really interesting ways (the Duchess and Chamuel especially). I also greatly enjoyed the fixed camera, and felt that it really added to the anxious atmosphere. I wouldn't say this is a pee-your-pants super scary game, but there is definitely a constant tension, and those sensitive to gore and violence will definitely be disturbed by the demon designs. I personally was made strongly nervous by the grimy, rusty feeling of the Aquarium level, and also by the entirety of the Crypt.
Story: The setup of the story is VERY strong, but this is probably where the game struggles a bit. From start to finish, my first run only took about 6-7 hours, so it's not very long, especially when you consider how much of that is spent in combat/exploration. There are quite a few characters who I really wished I'd gotten to see and learn more about, especially Chamuel, Dream Eater, Beloved, and Lucy. At times, it really felt like I was only being given a taste of a full story that I would KILL to read more of. If the developers ever decided to do an expanded edition, or a sequel, I would absolutely pay for more. Out of all the cast, Darrel and Oakley (and Mimi!) probably have the most balanced story arc, as they're generally comedic in tone, so the shortness isn't as distracting.
TL;DR Definitely worth the price, absolute recommend, my only warning is that it might leave you wanting MORE!