It took Mars After Midnight six seconds to make me laugh. Before starting a new save file I checked the settings menu—always check the settings menu—to find only a single option with a check box: "Mirth." Uncheck it, and Mars After Midnight's playful squiggly text stops shaking about so much. I wouldn't dare, to be clear. Mirth is what I'm here for in Lucas Pope's new game, which has the air of Ryan Gosling doing Serious Actor roles for years before embracing his inner Kenergy.
Mars After Midnight, a new Playdate exclusive (alas!) that costs $6, is a clear descendant of Pope's breakout game Papers, Please, a work of striking political commentary conveyed through the simple simulation of manning an immigration checkpoint. The simulation of Mars After Midnight is much the same, but with different stakes: I'm a goofy looking three-eyed alien minding the door for a late-night support group, and it's up to me to invite the right people into the party. My first night on the job, a crude drawing taped to the back of the door gives me clear instructions: only one-eyed Martians are allowed tonight, and they better be sad. No smiley cyclops allowed.
