Aperture Desk Job

About

Aperture Desk Job is a single player casual simulation game with comedy and science fiction themes. It was developed by Valve and was released on March 1, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and very positive reviews from players.

In "Aperture Desk Job," players take on the role of a new employee at Aperture Science, tasked with assembling products in a simulated work environment. The game is a humorous take on assembly line work, with various challenges and obstacles to overcome. Players will need to manage their time and resources carefully to meet their production goals and avoid mistakes that could lead to disastrous consequences.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 14,663 reviews

humor1.6k positive mentions

grinding8 negative mentions

The humor in 'Aperture Desk Job' captures classic Valve charm with witty dialogue and engaging characters, particularly Grady, making for a lighthearted experience.
The graphics are stunning, showcasing vibrant colors and smooth performance, effectively bringing the Portal universe to life.
The game is a free experience without microtransactions, providing a polished package that serves as a fun, albeit brief, adventure.

The gameplay is primarily a short, interactive tutorial with minimal depth, leading many to feel it serves more as a tech demo than a fully fleshed-out game.
The game suffers from a lack of replayability, with most players finding it a one-time experience due to its short runtime and limited content.
Some users report inconsistent stability and bugs, particularly with gyroscopic controls, impacting overall enjoyment.

humor
1,604 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
99%
1%
The humor in "Aperture Desk Job" is widely praised for its classic Valve charm, reminiscent of the beloved Portal series. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, absurd scenarios, and the engaging character of Grady, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience, despite the game's short runtime of about 30 minutes. While some found the humor to be hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that it effectively captures the quirky, dark humor that fans have come to love from Valve's previous titles.
- “The writing is peak portal energy: dry, sarcastic, and weirdly comforting in a 'my supervisor hates me but in a funny way' sense.”
- “It’s funny without trying too hard, self-aware without being annoying, and confident enough to let jokes breathe instead of cramming them in.”
- “A brief, polished, and genuinely funny experience that reminds you why Valve’s writing still hits — even when they’re just showing you where the buttons are.”
- “I think this game was supposed to be funny but it's really just annoying.”
- “It's fine as a controller demo but that comedian is so unfunny it's unbelievable.”
- “The 'game' is 25 minutes long to 'play' in which at least half the time you are sitting, doing nothing but staring at the absolutely unfunny stuff that is 'sold' for you with portal tropes.”
story
876 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The story aspect of "Aperture Desk Job" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its humor and connection to the Portal universe, despite its brevity of around 30 minutes. While some reviews note that the narrative is simple and primarily serves as a tech demo for the Steam Deck, others highlight its engaging characters and witty dialogue, making it a fun and entertaining experience for fans of the series. Overall, the game is seen as a charming addition to the Portal lore, though many players express a desire for a more extensive storyline.
- “The story and characters are hilariously written, and the whole package is just filled with so much charm.”
- “Aperture Desk Job seamlessly blends humor, innovative mechanics, and engaging storytelling into a brief yet memorable experience.”
- “Valve continues with its hilarious storytelling and a great way to show off Source 2's prowess.”
- “The story was weak, gameplay was weak, everything about this game makes it seem like an ad for the Steam Deck rather than a game.”
- “I have no idea what it’s supposed to represent, or whether anyone put even minimal effort into anything resembling a story.”
- “The story - if you can call it that - feels like something thrown together in 10 minutes by a teenager, the voice acting was lackluster and the 'game' is too short to even call it a game.”
gameplay
432 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
The gameplay of "Aperture Desk Job" is primarily a short, interactive tutorial designed to showcase the Steam Deck's controls, lasting around 30 minutes. While it features simple mechanics and minimal depth, players appreciate the humor, engaging writing, and nostalgic ties to the Portal universe, making it a fun albeit brief experience. Overall, it serves more as a tech demo than a fully fleshed-out game, with many reviewers wishing for more substantial gameplay content.
- “The gameplay is enjoyable, the voice acting is incredible too, and you can finish it within half an hour.”
- “Its clever writing, engaging gameplay, and quirky atmosphere make it a highly enjoyable short adventure.”
- “The gameplay mechanics, though seemingly simple, offer surprising depth.”
- “The 'gameplay' — if you can call it that — consists of a series of barely interactive tutorials designed to show off buttons, gyroscopes, and touchscreen inputs.”
- “The gameplay is ultimately just what's meant as a demo of the steam deck's controls, but it's a hilarious and fun little half hour for anyone to enjoy, especially as a bonus episode in the crazy portal universe.”
- “What barely qualifies as gameplay here is executed repetitiously to fill out the time, and the whole experience is disappointingly on-rails and cinematic.”
graphics
320 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
61%
38%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many users praising their stunning quality, vibrant colors, and smooth performance, particularly on the Steam Deck. The visuals are described as a delightful blend of cartoonish charm and modern design, effectively capturing the humor and aesthetic of the Portal universe. However, some players noted a lack of customizable graphics settings, which could limit performance on lower-end devices.
- “The graphics are stunning, and the attention to detail is impressive, making the world of Aperture Science laboratories come alive in VR.”
- “The graphics are a delightful mix of cartoonish charm and sleek design, making every interaction feel fresh and engaging.”
- “The visuals are incredible too, showcasing the capabilities of the Source 2 engine and providing a nostalgic experience reminiscent of the Portal series.”
- “They only know how to make overproduced 'movies', privileging graphics, rigging, and narration, over literally anything useful to a fun video game.”
- “I have a brand new computer with a high-quality graphics card and this game can't run at higher than 3 fps even with all the graphics set to low.”
- “The only complaint that could be said is a complete lack of graphic or performance settings, given that there is an option to play the game on non-Steam Deck hardware, it would have been nice if the game detected it was not being played on Steam Deck to intentionally show a traditional graphics menu.”
music
94 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
50%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, particularly for its haunting and beautiful ending credits song, which many players found to be a standout feature. The soundtrack is described as fitting the game's atmosphere and reminiscent of previous Portal titles, showcasing Valve's consistent quality in music composition. Overall, players appreciate the engaging audio experience, with many expressing a desire for more memorable songs akin to those from the Portal series.
- “The ending credits song is perfect.”
- “As the credits rolled, that music was beautiful and haunting, giving me goosebumps.”
- “The soundtrack really set its good position into also fitting the mood on the story which made it more enjoyable to play.”
- “You witness one of the most tragic credits songs ever created.”
- “The game ends with a creepy song by robot Cave and several toilet turrets.”
- “The credit music will haunt me in my sleep tonight.”
optimization
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
43%
10%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, particularly for the Steam Deck, where it runs smoothly with beautiful visuals and excellent performance. However, some users report subpar optimization on weaker PCs and a lack of graphics settings, indicating that while it excels on certain hardware, it may not perform as well across all platforms. Despite these issues, many players find the experience enjoyable and technically polished.
- “It's a very fun and well-optimized game otherwise.”
- “The game runs smoothly with no hiccups, even during the more chaotic moments, and the controls are spot-on.”
- “Whether you're playing on the Steam Deck or another device, the game is optimized to provide a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
- “Nice game but bad optimization; doesn't work on weaker computers.”
- “For a Valve game, this felt very poorly optimized for PC; I could only run the game at 15 fps. I'm glad it's free at least.”
- “The only complaint that could be said is a complete lack of graphic or performance settings. Given that there is an option to play the game on non-Steam Deck hardware, it would have been nice if the game detected it was not being played on Steam Deck to intentionally show a traditional graphics menu.”
emotional
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a mix of nostalgia, humor, and surprisingly touching moments, with many players expressing feelings of attachment and even tears during their short playtime. While some reviews note a lack of depth compared to previous titles in the series, the overall sentiment is that the game delivers a heartwarming experience filled with relatable humor and emotional connections, particularly through its characters and story elements. Players appreciate the blend of fun and emotional resonance, making it a memorable, albeit brief, experience.
- “I didn't think it was possible to be rendered emotional in such a short amount of time, but here I am, nearly moved to tears over a desk job.”
- “I got emotionally attached to Grady way too fast for a 30-minute controller tutorial. 10/10”
- “After over 10 years since the release of Portal 2, having J.K. Simmons back on voice duty was enough to make me a little emotional.”
- “It was a terrible, eventless, boring story with hardly any interactions.”
- “Very boring story.”
- “An overdone controller tutorial with a boring story.”
replayability
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
68%
10%
Overall, the game has low replayability, with most reviews noting its short playtime of around 30 minutes and a lack of engaging content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While some players find it entertaining and suggest minor reasons to revisit, such as spotting easter eggs or enjoying the humor, the consensus is that it serves better as a one-time experience rather than a game worth replaying. A few users mention potential for replay through specific chapters or voice lines, but these instances are not enough to significantly enhance the game's replay value.
- “A very entertaining (hilarious!) game that is certainly replayable with a killer soundtrack.”
- “☑️ infinitely replayable (the game is short and has no specific story but it is so fun, you can replay chapters. I personally replayed certain chapters several times)”
- “There's a little replay value hinted at, in particular the way the voice lines are scripted; it seamlessly adapts to your idle button pressing (or not) so you may want to go back and listen again.”
- “As a game, it has no replay value and is semi-boring; however, this review could legit be either recommended or not as I like it and don't, so take that as you will. Good for a one-off and then never again.”
- “Only a 30-minute game with little replay value; however, it is free.”
- “This felt like it was just a game designed to help you test out features for the Steam Deck and nothing more, as it was simply too short, too on rails, and with no real replay value in it.”
grinding
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
3%
76%
21%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that the game features excessive grinding, often described as tedious and requiring an unrealistic time commitment, with many users suggesting it feels like needing "a second life" to complete. While some players find moments of enjoyment, the overall sentiment leans towards the grinding mechanics being a significant drawback, making the experience feel long and laborious.
- “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “Some nice presentation and okay voiceovers, but it was fairly slow and a bit tedious.”
atmosphere
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
49%
13%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its clever writing, engaging visuals, and nostalgic charm, effectively capturing the essence of the Portal series. While some reviewers noted a lack of depth compared to the original games, many appreciated the immersive environment and humor, making it a delightful short adventure that resonates with fans. Overall, the art design and atmosphere are highlighted as standout features, contributing to a captivating experience.
- “The humor and atmosphere are all intact, and the visuals are charming without being demanding on the hardware.”
- “The actual gameplay is simplistic and relatively mindless, but the world and atmosphere continued on in this Aperture lab setting is just to die for.”
- “The concept was done brilliantly and they didn't hold back on the looks and atmosphere, which is amazing, since it felt really nostalgic to revisit one of the finest settings in video game history: the Aperture Laboratories.”
- “Doesn't feel like the proper atmosphere of the IP they used.”
- “In my opinion, it's even kind of disrespectful towards the original atmosphere.”
- “The demo lacks the eerie atmosphere of the first game and the genius puzzles of the second one, but this game is dripping with charm.”
stability
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
5%
81%
Overall, user reviews indicate that the game's stability is inconsistent, with many players reporting various bugs and glitches, particularly with gyroscopic controls and console options. While some users experienced smooth gameplay on platforms like the Steam Deck, others found the game frustratingly buggy, impacting their overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, a few players noted that the game runs well under certain conditions, suggesting that stability may vary depending on the setup.
- “Played on Steam Deck and runs great out of the box.”
- “Bug free!”
- “Runs great, a lot of fun!”
- “However, the gyro seems buggy; sometimes it doesn't work.”
- “It's extremely annoying that I have to watch the whole intro every single time but can't even play it properly because their console options are so buggy.”
- “The story was fine, but why is this so buggy?”
monetization
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
26%
58%
The monetization aspect of the game is largely positive, as it is described as a free experience without microtransactions or in-game purchases, offering a polished and complete package. However, some users feel it functions more as an advertisement for the Portal series and the Steam Deck rather than a standalone game, with concerns about potential future monetization. Overall, it is seen as a refreshing break from the typical monetization practices in gaming.
- “Great and fun free game without microtransactions.”
- “No microtransactions, no skins, no DLC, just a short and free experience.”
- “I wouldn't be surprised if they added microtransactions to this game in a future update.”
- “Was I just cheated into watching a 30-minute advertisement?”
- “Sorry, Valve, but interactive advertisements for your new line of hardware don't impress me.”
- “If you are thinking this is a game, think again, it's just a 30-minute and 4 gigabyte Steam Deck advertisement.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with one user giving it a perfect score of 10/10. However, there is criticism regarding the ending, which some feel undermines significant character development established in "Portal 2," diminishing its overall impact.
- “10/10 character and character development”
- “Even more, I found the ending actually clashes with a major character development moment from Portal 2, erasing its impact.”
- “The character development feels rushed and superficial, leaving me disconnected from their journeys.”
- “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved throughout the game; their arcs felt predictable and uninspired.”

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75%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews

Aperture Desk Job GBAtemp
While it's far more valuable as an entry into the Portal series than a Steam Deck tutorial, Aperture Desk Job ably accomplishes everything it sets out to do.
Gbatemp.net
75%

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4h Median play time

16h Average play time

2-8h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Aperture Desk Job is a casual simulation game with comedy and science fiction themes.

Aperture Desk Job is available on PC, Steam Deck, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 16 hours playing Aperture Desk Job.

Aperture Desk Job was released on March 1, 2022.

Aperture Desk Job was developed by Valve.

Aperture Desk Job has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its humor but disliked it for its grinding.

Aperture Desk Job is a single player game.

Similar games include Portal, Accounting, Half-Life 2: Lost Coast, a Place of Much Learning, INSERT GAME HERE and others.

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