#panicbarn

[everygame]

Not Tonight

Developed/Published by: PanicBarn / No More Robots Released: 31/01/2020 Completed: 10/01/2025 Completion: Got the “good” ending!

It’s 2025 and we’re coming up on five years of Brexit, so what better time to play Not Tonight, PanicBarn’s Brexit satire? It’s not just because I scrolled backwards on my Switch to find the earliest game that I’d bought and not played or anything. It’s definitely because of the anniversary.

A long time ago, I was critical of Papers, Please for casting the player as a border agent in a fictional non-western country, arguing that it would bite far more if you were actually playing a TSA agent or something. To be honest, I do think I was being a bit inflexible (I mean, allegory is fine! I love Andor!!!) but it’s really nice to play Not Tonight and see a game that is not just like “I know writers who use subtext, and they’re cowards” but positively gleeful about it. The contrast between Papers, Please and Not Tonight had me going: you know what? Garth Marenghi was right.

In Not Tonight, you play as a Brit who has been stripped of their citizenship due to the vagaries of Brexit, and you are forced by an odious immigration agent to work as a bouncer in order to survive and pay him off. To not be completely bleak however the game also features a thread of resistance, as you can in small ways work to undermine the government’s ever-increasing xenophobia.

In some respects, Not Tonight feels more vital than ever. The game presents a UK that gets more and more shite as the game goes on, and I think there’s a chance that if you played it even a few months earlier you might have gone “well, the UK is getting more and more shite, but it’s not as bad as this game is making it out to be.” However, in the cold light of a Trump re-election and the lame-duck Labour government grasping at straws that all seem to say “fuck immigrants” or "uh... AI?" on them, it’s hard not to see a future coming quickly in which things get worse much quicker. I mean while I was playing this there was a huge right-wing civil war over skilled visas in the USA, that bell-end Elon Musk argued Nigel Farage wasn’t right-wing enough for him (because he wouldn’t support literal white supremacist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon!?) and a poll showed that if another election happened Reform would smash it.

It really does feel like we’re living on the precipice of another event like when Liz Truss crashed the UK economy, except instead of it all being taken back and months later Liz Truss claiming that it’s libelous for anyone to say she crashed the UK economy, whoever in charge will skip right to delusion without the “take it all back” part.

It’s grim.

Anyway, Not Tonight is very much “Brexit Papers, Please” in terms of most of the play is going to be looking at documents under time pressure, and choosing to let people in or not, with penalties and failure tied to, well, how well you can look at documents under pressure. Initially I was like “this isn’t fun” and then I was like “oh yeah, this is fun” but the problem is that you hit “this is repetitive” way, way before the game is over.

As much as Not Tonight adds wrinkles to the proceedings–now you have to scan people, now the criteria are different, etc.–the game can’t really escape that you’re doing the same few inputs over and over basically forever. There does come a point where the game is almost second nature, and you’re just speeding through it, but I can’t say that bends the experience around to “fun” again. It’s more sort of… blessedly untroubling. 

I suppose it could have been much worse–the game takes place across 3 months in a year, and when you start playing it’s January, and about halfway through the month you definitely think “fuck I can’t do twelve months of this shit.” It’s probably about a month too long, but there’s a rule of three so I know why they stretched it out a bit.

(To be honest, the problem might be that the months break the rule of three by being four weeks long, and each month that last week feels like filler. I guess PanicBarn will have to take this up with the Babylonians.)

So, it’s too long, and–most disappointingly–the game fizzles out completely at the end, with a climax that feels rushed and unrewarding. In fact, it’s a touch undermining; the game is thematically strong in its sense of place, but narratively doesn’t seem to work towards any meaningful critique. I didn’t need some sort of “Love Conquers All” Brazil ending, but a “and then everything was fine” title card is the worst of both worlds.

Despite saying all that, I liked Not Tonight, and I think it is because of the context I played it in–it may be a broad satire, but it’s not like it’s not right! Things are fucked!

Will I ever play it again? There’s a DLC that came with it that continues the story on with a side-character that I find the idea of charming enough, but as I said above, the game outstays its welcome just enough that I’m not too bothered about playing it. Maybe one day though, after a long enough break.

Final Thought: Something the game misses interrogating too deeply, sadly, is the player’s own role in post-Brexit society. It doesn’t take any moral stance on if it’s acceptable to work turning away potentially desperate people when you work jobs on the border as you are forced to and have no way to subvert your role, which I think is a bit too “only following orders” for my liking. In the same sphere in the game design there’s a exploit of sorts in that if you buy a particular set of clothes you can sell drugs with no cost to your “social score” and be massively rich by about halfway through the game, and I was struck that I didn’t just sell drugs to make the money–I did it because I was embodying the role of someone who didn’t give a fuck about anything except my own selfish survival because of how the country was treating me. 

I think both of those things would have been really interesting to force the player to consider, and the subtleties of culpability would have helped the satire hit home harder. I mean, I already know things are fucked, and I know it’s the fault of the cunts in charge. But I also think it’s fair to be asked: well, what am I doing about it? What are you doing about it?

Are we just surviving?

Is that enough?

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[savingcontent]

Soccer Story kicks off the comedic open-world RPG on November 29th onto PC and Game Pass

Soccer Story kicks off the comedic open-world RPG on November 29th onto PC and Game Pass

(more…)

[artclusters]

Screencaps from Not tonight (2018)

[necromosss]

been playing lots of Not Tonight (2018) by PanicBarn lately. ian makes a great bouncer👁👁

[oldest-brother]

I finished playing Not Tonight from PanicBarn and it was super fun. I thought the game play was really enjoyable, and I finished the game in about 2 days because I was having such a ball. I think I got too invested though, because I wanted a better pay off. The premise was *chef kiss* and then you just kinda go to jail? You do all this work, and upgrade everything, and you're so hyped, and the ending was such a let down.

The biggest missed opportunity for me was Shannon. It's a running gag that she gets turned away when a new mechanic is introduced. Like she's turned away because she's too young, then because she's Irish, then because her credit score is terrible, and so on. And I was WAITING to use the scan and ban on her and find a resistance coin. Like, "yeah, she finally becomes of age, and now she is being discriminated against. She sees how shit everything is, fuck the man, she'll join the resistance! " And then she didn't. What was the point of having her be so integral to the story???

Overall, 6.5/10. Fun gameplay, interesting idea, not the best payoff.

[fridge-reviews]

Not Tonight

Developer: PanicBarn Publisher: No More Robots Rrp: £15.49 (Gog.com and Steam) Released: 17th August 2018 Available on: Gog.com and Steam Played Using: Mouse and Keyboard Approximate game length: 12 Hours

Normally I'd write up some small piece of fiction relating to the events of the game, however with this game I don't think I can. Or rather I don't want to. Brexit has been something that has brought so much heartache and misery to myself and my family. Its threatened my business and generally made life much harder.... anyway enough harping on about it, lets get to the review itself.

Not Tonight is a post-Brexit management game set in 2018 where the political party of Albion First (not at all a parody of Britain First) has managed to take the UK out of the European Union. However it doesn't stop there, along with leaving the EU the ruling party has declared anyone whose family hasn't been in the country for at least two generations has to be reapply for citizenship or be deported (after a period of processing). You get to play as some poor bugger who is set for deportation. However its going to take a while for that to happen and in the meantime you need to earn money so that you can cover the rent of the crappy flat you've been 'assigned' as well as the bills. Thankfully the UK government has managed to find a job that suits your skills, being a bouncer.

Your job as a bouncer is to check peoples ID to make sure they're over 18 years old and that the ID is in date, at least that's the job at first. Quite quickly you end up having to also check their photographs, gig tickets, dress code and country of heritage... and it doesn't stop there. The more people you correctly allow in the better your payday is and the more experience you get. Gaining experience unlocks better equipment that makes your life easier, such as a clicker that you no longer need to manually click with your mouse but instead can use a keyboard shortcut. However when you let people pass that you shouldn't have done (or incorrectly turned someone away) you get warned, then fined and eventually lose your job. This can be a tactical decision though as while the fine might cost you £5 the bribe they gave you might be £50. The more people you let in that you shouldn't the more you get fined, until you eventually lose the job and get no pay along with a negative reputation which can affect future jobs.

As you play optional tasks will appear along with more and more mechanics for you to have to manage and balance as things get more and more difficult. I personally found this game quite tricky because it being set in 2018 and I kept having to remind myself that I had to ignore that it's currently 2020. This was something I really struggled with because I'd look at the ID cards see that the person ID expires in 2019 and would immediately deny them entry only to remember a moment later that in this game that would have actually been fine.

I have never played a game that hit so close to home, but I have to say I love it. There's a level of, well I suppose you can call it gallows humour, that this game is absolutely filled with. I also really enjoyed that there was an underlying plot that would occasionally rear its head, that really kept me engaged and had me really trying to progress to see what was going to happen.

If this appeals to you perhaps try;

Papers Please Va-11 Hall-A Kingdom

[operationrainfall]

Not Tonight Coming to Switch

Not Tonight Coming to Switch

  Not Tonight is a politically satirical management game from PanicBarn and No More Robots that looks very similar to 2013’s Papers, Please. It first came out in 2018 on Steam, and now will be making it’s way to the Nintendo Switch very soon.

In Not Tonightyou assume the role of a doorman at various clubs and events around a post-Brexit Britain, checking IDs, guest lists, and showing unruly…

[oneangrygamer]

Not Tonight, Brexit Dystopian Simulator Launches August 17th

Not Tonight, Brexit Dystopian Simulator Launches August 17th | #IndieGame #Brexit

A game that’s causing a lot of salt, triggering, anger, and arguments in the Steam forums is PanicBarn and No More Robots’ Not Tonight. The game is scheduled to release on August 17th on Steam. (more…)

[dolllikelove]

Soccer Story Is An RPG Where Football Is The Villain

Soccer Story, out this week, is a new RPG from PanicBarn, the team behind Not Tonight. It is an RPG devoted entirely to the sport of football. It is not, as the combination of name and art style might have you initially believe, a sequel or successor to Golf Story. Read more... http://dlvr.it/SdbPvp

[tomorrowedblog]

Soccer Story is out today

Soccer Story, the new game from PanicBarn and No More Robots, is out today.

The world might as well be over - Soccer Inc. has closed down every local stadium, team and tournament. What kind of world can survive without the beautiful game? Thankfully a magical soccer ball has chosen you, our Savior of Soccer!

[nvgotd]

Not Tonight

[ PC / 2018 / PanicBarn, No More Robots ]

Not Tonight is a satirical point-and-click adventure set in a dystopian post-Brexit Britain. Europeans have been rounded up and exiled, and everywhere has strict check to ensure only British people are allowed in. You play a bouncer trying to earn enough money to stay in the UK. You accomplish this by working on the doors of various venues - ranging from simple pubs and nightclubs right up to border control at Dover and the London Wall. Your employer gives you the criteria for people who are and are not allowed in; it’s up to you to assess people’s ID and other information, and decide whether to let them pass. Will you stick by the rules, or will you fight the regime?

[thenwire]

Not Tonight 2 Review - The Land that Trump (Almost) Created

Not Tonight 2 Review – The Land that Trump (Almost) Created

GAME INFO Not Tonight 2 11th February, 2022 Platform PC Publisher No More Robots Developer PanicBarn Do you remember when the world was a more straightforward place? I do. I remember when I first posted about Not Tonight and then reviewed it. This was back when all we had to worry about was Brexit crippling the UK and a mad, overgrown, Oompa-Loompa in the White House. Fast forward a few years;…

[savingcontent]

No More Robots reveals Soccer Story, a comedic RPG about a magical soccer ball

No More Robots reveals Soccer Story, a comedic RPG about a magical soccer ball

(more…)

[innocentamit]

'Not Tonight 2' kicks off on Steam February 11th

‘Not Tonight 2’ kicks off on Steam February 11th

You will not have to wait long to see how the manufacturers do Not Tonight fighting against American politics. PanicBarn and No More Heroes have it revealed its theme of “political dark comedy”. Not Tonight 2 will be present on Steam February 11, with the console version coming later in 2022. The final Beta for PC will be launched on January 28. As of the first mockery, the game continues Papers,…

[gamesiliked]

Not Tonight (2018) - Take back control

PanicBarn (UK) / No More Robots (UK) Content note: Destitution, Discrimination, State harrassment € 16,79

“Person of European Heritage #112: Welcome to Relocation Block B, your new home. Your designated role is 'Bouncer'. Work hard, stay out of trouble, and we might let you stay in the UK.”

Be an efficient bouncer in an increasingly nationalist UK.

The main gameplay is allowing people into whichever venue you are working at, based on information you would find on their ID, which becomes increasingly restrictive (authenticity, list, nationality, etc.). You must make enough money to continue to survive in the UK as an EU foreigner.

I lived in the UK at the time of the Brexit vote and mainly bought the game out of nostalgia (venue parodies) and novelty. It is an engagingly executed concept but it relies on speed of a repetitive action (time limit when checking IDs) which is not something I particularly enjoy so I’m not likely to get much further in the game... I still found it very fun.

[oneangrygamer]

Not Tonight, Anti-Brexit Game Gets Heavily Criticized For Pushing Leftist Propaganda

Not Tonight, Anti-Brexit Game Gets Heavily Criticized For Pushing Leftist Propaganda

Developer PanicBarn and publisher No More Robots released a trailer for their anti-Brexit game, Not Tonight. The game features a character living in squalor after the Alt-Right take over Parliament and exile “citizens of European heritage”. The trailer was met with a rather defensive push back from residents of the U.K., who feel Brexit is the only way to save the future of their heritage and…