Mystery in the Office
Genres: Puzzle, Mystery, Point & Click, Story Rich, Atmospheric, Adventure
Release Date: 26-4-2023
Developer: 314 Bytes
Our verdict
7/10
- Difficulty: Easy
- Players: 1
- Playtime: <1 h
Mystery in the Office from 314 Bytes is a tiny first-person escape game set in an abandoned office locked from the outside. Every object is clickable and comes with a sarcastic text description, and you carry items from one spot to another to get past fires, locked doors and other obstacles while working out why everyone left in a hurry. It suits anyone who wants a funny half-hour diversion or a gentle first escape room.
The small player base is very positive: 31 of 34 Steam reviews recommend it. Players enjoy the dry humour about bad management, compare its tone to The Stanley Parable, and many mention a twist at the end that caught them off guard. Clues are kept close by, so there is little risk of getting stuck.
It is very short. Most players finish in 20 to 40 minutes, and an achievement asks for a run under two minutes. Critics say it is closer to a fetch-the-object hunt than a puzzle game, and there is no save, restart button or invert-mouse option. At two dollars it is worth an evening break; skip it if you want real puzzles to chew on.
Pros
- Sarcastic object descriptions poke fun at office management
- Ending twist that many players did not see coming
- Clues stay close by, a friendly first escape room
Cons
- Over in about half an hour
- More fetch-the-item than actual puzzles
- No save, restart button or invert-mouse option
About
Mystery in the Office is an immersive text-based game that takes you on a journey through an abandoned office with a history of terrible management, mysteriously locked from the outside.INVESTIGATE
Explore a series of highly interactive rooms and carefully examine every object to find a way out.
All objects are clickable and they will provide information to advance the story.RESOLVE
Find your way through obstacles such as fires, locked doors, and more.
Overcome a variety of challenges to unlock the only available exit.REVEAL
Unravel the mystery of what happened in the office and why it was abandoned in a hurry.
One unique aspect of the game is the sarcastic and ironic tone that permeates every message that you'll encounter. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's meant to make you smile as you solve puzzles and uncover the truth about what happened in the office. From the quirky object descriptions to the messages in the environment, Mystery in the Office is a humorous and engaging experience that will keep you on your toes.
If you're a fan of mysteries and enjoy the challenge of puzzle-solving, Mystery in the Office is a must-play game.
