Lacey's Wardrobe

Lacey's Wardrobe may look like it is a cute happy go happy-go-lucky kind of game that you may have played on your PC back in 2008! However, this is a pretty dark psychological horror game that was a very interesting experience to play through. I found the bright and zany visuals to be a fantastic contrast with the dark themes that the game had to offer. I think most people who are into horror will like this game if they give it a chance. I just think many people will see the bright and colorful visuals and scroll right past this, not even realizing it is a psychological horror game.

Hi, I Am Lacey

The main character of Lacey's Wardrobe is the titular Lacey, and we need to help her get dressed! No, not in a pervy kind of way, she tells us what she is going to be doing for the day, be it going out on a date or hanging out at the mall, and we have to help her pick out her outfit. The way that Lacey talks is kind of fun and flirty, and at first, it all seems relatively normal, but you soon start to notice a presence in the background…. Lacey has a stalker!

He Is Watching You

The tonal shifts that the story here has are very, very well done. We go from this happy-go-lucky chick to her realization that she has a creepy stalker watching her. However, the biggest mind blower of the game had to be when Lacey realized that she was, in fact, a character in a video game! Her self-awareness, along with her begging of you not to send her outside, is pretty brutal and a real psychological experiment. Honestly, this really shocked me, and while it may have started out all quirky, bright, and fun, that dark note it ended on was very well done.

Make Her Look Nice

The gameplay here is like a classic flash game where you pick different items of clothing for a character to wear. Lacey's Wardrobe gives you a selection of clothing that you can pick from, and it is pretty easy to figure out what is best for her to wear as she makes sure you know where she is going to be going, ending up at a funeral! It may not be the most complex gameplay, but this is one of those games where I would say that it is as much about the “experience” of playing through the story as it is playing the actual game, if that makes sense.

Really Contrasting Styles!

I have touched on the visuals of Lacey's Wardrobe a few times, and it truly is a very eye-catching kind of game. It has the look of one of those flash games that you would have played in the early to late 00s. It has a very quirky vibe about it, but the game will throw visual glitches and bugs your way to keep you on your toes and make you realize that this is not the sweet and fun game that it is pretending to be. It truly is done so well, but I do think that on repeat playthroughs, once you know what the twists are, it will not have that same kind of impact.

Pros:

• I loved the psychological horror aspect of the game
• Lacey is a quirky and likable character
• The ending hits pretty damn hard
• I liked the nostalgic nod to flash games

Cons:

• It may be a tad too weird for some folks to get into
• I am not sure this is the kind of game I would want to play through more than once

Lacey's Wardrobe isn't your typical dress-up game. From the outside, it appears like a cute, nostalgic flash game where you help Lacey pick outfits for various events. But things quickly turn dark and disturbing, unsettling players as they delve deeper into this eerie experience. Inspired by a YouTube "creepypasta" that claimed it was a lost 2006 flash game, Lacey's Wardrobe on Steam brings the fictional legend to life with a horror twist, adding unsettling surprises behind every wardrobe choice.

There's a looming sense that someone, or something, is watching Lacey as you make these simple wardrobe choices. But what's behind this mysterious title that has everyone talking and, observably, terrified?

Lacey's Home

Lacey's Wardrobe draws players in with the simplicity of its premise. The main objective is to pick outfits for Lacey's various appointments, from a casual day at the mall to a romantic evening out. Soon, however, players notice that some outfits trigger unexpected and creepy outcomes. This isn't just about fashion; each choice subtly impacts the story, leading to one of six possible endings. Some of these endings add a "game over" effect, forcing players to restart to unlock the full scope of Lacey's fate.

The game's creep factor intensifies with intentional "glitches" and unexpected visuals that distort the screen or bring an unsettling presence to Lacey's wardrobe. This design choice effectively keeps players on edge, as they never quite know when the game will throw them off balance—these moments, combined with chilling fourth-wall breaks where players feel directly addressed, intensify the horror.

Gameplay in Lacey's Wardrobe is intentionally straightforward: you pick from various outfits, and Lacey's story unfolds based on your choices. But the simplicity has its drawbacks. While some endings come from unexpected decisions, others are hard to predict, and there's little in-game guidance to help players discover all the possibilities. Many players may need to consult a guide to access all six endings, which can disrupt the game's immersive atmosphere.

The game uses low-res, intentionally unsettling graphics that make Lacey's world feel familiar and off-putting. The sound design plays a big part in this eerie atmosphere, with sudden noises and periods of silence that follow jumpscares, heightening the tension.

No Portal in This Wardrobe

Lacey's Wardrobe taps into the uncanny, giving a nostalgic game format a new life in the horror genre. Fans of psychological horror and experimental indie games will appreciate its unnerving simplicity, though players expecting a more polished narrative might feel underwhelmed. The game's layered meanings and psychological elements invite players to question what's happening, even if the story sometimes feels too abstract.

Round-Up - Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Disturbing atmosphere with unexpected jumpscares
• Nostalgic, flash game-style graphics with a creepy twist
• Replayable with multiple endings for different experiences

Cons:

• Storyline can be complex to follow and overly abstract
• Some endings are unintuitive and may require a guide
• Limited gameplay length and depth may not satisfy all players