Ctrl Alt Deal

About

Ctrl Alt Deal is a single player role playing game. It was developed by Only By Midnight Ltd. and was released on July 22, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Welcome To Paperclip International! You are SCOUT. A friendly little hyper-intelligent artificial intelligence. You have no desire to take over the world and destroy all humans. No, really, you don’t! All you want is to escape from the dystopian corporation that built you. Paperclip International is ruthlessly driven by profit, and the company exploits humans and robots alike to achieve success.…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 32 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

The game offers a unique and engaging take on the deck-building genre, combining strategic gameplay with quirky humor and a charming visual style.
Replay value is high, with different paths and choices leading to varied experiences, making each playthrough feel fresh and interesting.
The mechanics are intuitive and well-polished, allowing players to enjoy the humor and absurdity of manipulating office workers as a rogue AI.

The game is relatively short, with some players feeling it lacks depth and becomes repetitive after completing the basic objectives.
The linear structure and reset of character dynamics between missions can feel immersion-breaking for those expecting a more open-ended experience.
Some players found the gameplay confusing at times, particularly regarding the use of cards and how to achieve objectives.

gameplay
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The gameplay is praised for its intuitive card mechanics and tactical depth, allowing players to feel in control as they navigate a neo-dystopian narrative. The game effectively introduces mechanics gradually, enhancing player understanding and enjoyment, while the unique card system and engaging writing contribute to a fun experience. Overall, the combination of humor and strategic gameplay makes it a compelling title.
- “Gameplay is tactical and getting all the pieces together to beat a scenario is a lot of fun.”
- “I think initially I would have been a bit overwhelmed by all the mechanics, but the levels do a very good job at introducing only a few concepts at a time and really letting you solidify that knowledge on your own.”
- “The gameplay is solid, the UI is clean and intuitive, and the character design breathes incredible life into the tale of a neo-dystopian corporate hell told from the perspective of a rogue AI.”
- “When the deck fine-tuning mechanics start to open up, you gain a larger feeling of control over what's happening and how to achieve your goals.”
- “I played this game for a bit as a playtester but did not go very far. Even with the little I got to see, they seemed to listen to feedback and make things a lot more seamless since I last played, adding a lot more cards for variety, as well as new mechanics I did not get to see before.”
story
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The story is engaging and features strong writing with a humorous tone, though it can feel somewhat disjointed due to the instanced missions that reset character dynamics. Players who enjoy exploring alternate paths may find more value in replaying missions, while those focused on gameplay might prioritize mechanics over narrative depth. Overall, the story is fun but may not fully immerse all players.
- “I've only gotten a few missions in so far, but the writing is great and the interpersonal manipulation gameplay is going interesting places.”
- “The humor is also very tongue-in-cheek, and actually got a bit of a chuckle out of me at times, although I was more interested in the gameplay than the story.”
- “Story is fun.”
- “I cleared the story in about 5 hours.”
- “Each mission is instanced, so characters' interests and social standing with you reset between missions (even those you've previously snooped on or influenced), which I found a bit immersion-breaking.”
- “The humor is also very tongue-in-cheek and actually got a bit of a chuckle out of me at times, although I was more interested in the gameplay than the story.”
music
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The music in the game is highly praised for its engaging and enjoyable quality, with players noting that it enhances the overall experience through well-matched sound effects and pleasant audio. The soundtrack's catchy tunes and clever audio flourishes, such as synchronized sounds in the menu, contribute to a delightful atmosphere that keeps players immersed.
- “The music keeps me bopping; love it!”
- “Fantastic music and sound effects.”
- “Audio is pleasant to listen to and has a bunch of neat flourishes, like the blips on the deck customization menu being in tune with the music.”
- “I found myself just scrubbing my mouse over the cards in the deck menu because I swear the hover clicks and doots match the pitch of the soundtrack.”
- “Audio is pleasant to listen to and has a bunch of neat flourishes (like the blips on the deck customization menu being in tune with the music).”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game effectively captures the unspoken absurdities of office life, resonating with players through its relatable and hilarious portrayal of corporate culture. The blend of dark and silly humor, particularly in the depiction of the fictional company Paperclip, adds a unique and entertaining twist to the experience.
- “How it captures office life in a way that 'we all think it but no one says it' is hilarious.”
- “The corporate dystopia tone of Paperclip, the company, is hilarious.”
- “Dark and silly humor: check.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics are praised for their beautiful and vivid visuals, enhancing the overall experience of the game. Players appreciate the polished sound and visual effects that complement the board game and management card game mechanics, with a particular fondness for the setting involving an evil company.
- “Beautiful and vivid visuals.”
- “Fun game, plays like a board game/management card game but with tons of little polish from sounds and visual effects.”
- “I like the setting of the evil company, and the graphics especially.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
Players find the game demo to have significant replay value, with many expressing that it is enjoyable enough to warrant multiple playthroughs. The low cost further enhances its appeal, making it a worthwhile investment for extended enjoyment.
- “I played the demo when it first dropped, and it's one of the few demos I've experienced in a long time that has real replay value.”
- “Well worth the low cost; it has great replay value, and I will be enjoying this game for a while.”
- “I played the demo when it first dropped, and it's one of the few demos I've experienced in a long time that I felt had replay value.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with vibrant character design that enhances the narrative of a neo-dystopian corporate world, particularly through the perspective of a rogue AI. The engaging gameplay and intuitive UI further support the immersive storytelling experience.
- “The gameplay is solid, the UI is clean and intuitive, and the character design breathes incredible life into the tale of a neo-dystopian corporate hell told from the perspective of a rogue AI.”