Video Game / Dead Plate

60's homoerotic cannibalism meets Diner Dash

Dead Plate by RachelDrawsThis and Ekrix with composition and sound design by BKalengar is an 2D indie horror game made using RPG Maker. The game combines classic restaurant tycoon mechanics with visual novel elements and point-and-click exploration.

Set in 1960s France, the game follows Rody, a young man who was hired to work at a fancy bistro by a stoic but charismatic chef named Vince. Vince isn't quite happy with his choice of waiter, as Rody doesn't have the best track record for job retention, but Vince doesn't seem to have a lot of options, and Rody is determined to make as much money as he can in a week. But as the days go on, Rody starts having violent dreams, and is convinced that something is going on with his new boss, as well as the food he makes...

Dead Plate contains examples of:

• After Action Patch Up: In one of the optional cutscenes, Rody slices his finger while trying to take out the trash. Rody immediately starts apologizing and Vince responds by first slapping Rody, which quickly shuts him up and continues on to bandage Rody’s finger.
• Can't Tie His Tie: Rody, apparently, as he just wears it loose around his neck.
• Colour-Coded for Your Convenience: Multiple examples.
  • Blue Means Cold: The walk-in freezer where Vince traps you is tinged in blue.
  • Red Is Violent: Rody's nightmares as well as the scenes where Vince attacks and eats you are very red.
• Creative Closing Credits: Each ending has a separate audio track to accompany the credits. Some are more evocative than others...
• Creepy Shadowed Undereyes: Vince sports these, which adds to his overall unsettling nature.
• Depraved Homosexual: Subverted. Vince isn’t the nicest boss, but he’s not actually a cannibal…yet.
• Dogged Nice Guy: Rody is hopelessly in love with his ex-girlfriend Manon; part of why he's so determined to make as much money as possible is so that he can get back together with her. As revealed in the Golden Ending, part of why Manon broke up with him was that he was way too self-sacrificing for their relationship, while not taking proper care of himself.
• Dreaming of Things to Come: Rody has several nightmares that could be interpreted as this. Depending on the ending, these could also be seen as Anxiety Dreams.
• Ear Ache: A significant part of two endings. Poor Rody.
• Empty Fridge, Empty Life: Poor Rody has no girlfriend, no money, and no edible food in the fridge. See also Men Can't Keep House.
• Evil Chef: Vince is framed this way, as he acts cold and strict towards Rody and seems to be disconnected from humanity in general. Not to mention to possible cannibalism. He wasn't actually a cannibal himself, but starts to believe that the secret to adding more soul into his cooking may be using those with souls.
• Haute Cuisine Is Weird: Rody's opinion of Vincent's food. Validated when Vince tries to serve Rody his ex-girlfriend on a plate.
• Homoerotic Subtext: Oh boy, there's quite a bit between Rody and Vince. Coupled with the fact that Vince is canonically gay and Rody is canonically bi. In-game, however, Vince doesn't seem to be interested in Rody in a romantic light.
• I'm a Humanitarian: What the game makes you believe Vince is, seeing how this is a horror game about a restaurant run by a creepy chef. Turns out Vince isn't one himself, as he can't even taste anything, but he did kill Manon as an experiment to try and add more 'love' into his food...by feeding his waiter's ex-girlfriend to him. He even decides to continue doing so in one ending after killing Rody.
• I Ate WHAT?!: Rody makes this realization when he finds out the last dish Vince cooks for him was made from his ex-girlfriend, Manon.
• Ironically Disabled Artist: A renowned chef who can't taste? Not impossible, as it's Vincent's reality. Alas, his food isn't actually enjoyable to eat, at least, according to Rody.
• It May Help You on Your Quest: You never know when you might need a set of matches!
• Locked in a Freezer: There's a walk-in freezer in the kitchen, but you can't go inside not until you steal Vince's key. Once you enter, good luck getting out.
• Moon Logic Puzzle: Evoked. There are point-and-click elements including a brief series of object-based puzzles when you are Locked in a Freezer, but the steps are fairly straightforward.
• Multiple Endings: There are four total endings. The first ending is automatically achieved, while the other three must be achieved by getting close to Vince and accepting his phone call on Day 6.
  • Ending One (Table For One): Rody quits his job while Vince tells him he can come back at any time. Rody tries to call Manon at a payphone, but she doesn't pick up with Rody having no idea why she isn't picking up or where she could be.
  • Ending Two (Best Served Cold): Rody is unable to escape from his bindings in time and he's killed by Vince.
  • Ending Three (Best Served Hot): The Golden Ending; Rody is able to use the matches he brought with him to burn the ropes binding him. He confronts Vince with a shattered wine bottle and stabs him to death, burning down the restaurant afterwards.
  • Ending Four (Abattoir): If you fail any of the QT Es, then Rody is stabbed to death by Vince and dragged into the freezer to become his next dish.
• Old Shame: A particularly rude guest at Vince's optional dinner party brings up Rody's past failures.
• Point of No Return: Entering the walk-in fridge on the final day. Before you enter, the game will ask if you are sure. Once you go in, you are locked into the best served cold, abattoir, or best served hot ending.
• Press X to Not Die: In two of the game’s endings, the player has to respond to a quick time event to avoid being killed and cooked by Vince. The success or failure of this QTE determines which ending the player receives.
• Redheads Are Uncool: Rody lives in a run-down apartment with a broken bathroom, working endless short-term jobs to try and get back his ex-girlfriend. Luckily, he's got a great new job at a fancy restaurant!
• Strong Family Resemblance: A picture in Vince's office is said to have a woman who looks incredibly similar to Vincent.
  • This was confirmed by the author in a Tumblr ask.
• The Secret of Long Pork Pies: The game's setting centers on this trope. Subverted. Vince would never serve human flesh to his customers. He saves that for special occasions.
• The Stinger: Seen in the Golden Ending. We finally hear from Manon about her and Rody's relationship.
• Trademark Favorite Food: Vincent's favorite food is lemons. Not lemon-infused or lemon-flavored items, but lemons.
• You Are What You Hate: Rody, according to the author, is "bi and biphobic."