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About You See a Monster Smoking in the Parking Lot
You See a Monster Smoking in the Parking Lot is a minimalist text adventure from developer DancingEngie, released in October 2025. It drops you into a surreal scenario where a monster puffs cigarettes in a parking lot. The game lasts just one or two decisions, yet offers 33 distinct endings shaped by your choices. These range from bleak to hilarious, with no clear right or wrong path. Set on PC, Linux, and Mac, it’s a bite-sized experiment in tone and consequence. The game thrives on ambiguity, letting you investigate, attack, reflect, or even buy fast food. It’s a short, sharp experience that leans into discomfort and dark humor.
Gameplay
The core loop is simple: read a scenario, pick an action, and watch the ending unfold. Each decision branches into one of 33 conclusions, but the game never lets you make more than two moves. Your first choice, like confronting the monster or ignoring it, sets the stage, while the second refines the outcome. Controls are click-based, with no combat or puzzles. The writing drives everything; dialogue and descriptions shift between unsettling and absurd. A typical session might involve trading bitter small talk with the monster, then ending by buying a greasy burger or fleeing in terror. The brevity forces you to weigh every word, turning micro-decisions into meaningful stakes.
What Players Think
With a 4.6/5 rating from 12,400 players, the game splits opinions. 78% complete it, averaging 12 minutes per playthrough. Community moods: 65% horror, 25% absurd, 10% somber. One Steam review calls it “a masterclass in concise storytelling,” while another grumbles, “felt like a missed opportunity for depth.” Critics praise the punchy writing but note the lack of lore. Achievements track each of the 33 endings, with 92% unlocking them all. At $9.99, it’s a low-risk pick. 34% of players revisit it for “the ending where the monster starts a support group.”
PlayPile's Take
This is a niche pick for fans of experimental narrative and dark comedy. At under $10, it’s a cheap thrill that rewards curiosity. The 33 endings ensure replayability, though some feel underbaked. If you enjoy games that flip genres on a dime, think horror, melancholy, or outright ridiculous, it’s worth a shot. Skip it if you crave lengthy worlds or complex systems. For a quick, thought-provoking diversion, it hits its mark. The absurdity of one ending alone justifies the price.
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