Office Management 101
- March 16, 2022
- tulevik.EU
- 4h median play time
"Office Management 101" is an isometric business simulator that puts you in the role of CEO of a consumer electronics company. You'll need to hire and manage employees, design your office, and create products to sell, while navigating quirky characters and unexpected events. The game offers Scenario and Sandbox modes, procedural generation, and Steam Workshop mod support. As the boss, it's your job to keep your employees in check and lead your company to success.
Reviews
- The game features charming pixel art and a nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic tycoon games, making it visually appealing.
- It offers a fun and engaging management experience with interesting mechanics, such as employee interactions and project management.
- The developer is responsive to community feedback, showing potential for future improvements and updates.
- The game feels abandoned due to a lack of updates and quality-of-life features, leading to frustration in gameplay.
- Many players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in content, with unclear objectives and limited challenges.
- Micromanagement is excessive, requiring constant clicking and attention to employees, which can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- graphics34 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are primarily pixel art, which evokes nostalgia for retro gaming but has received mixed reviews. While some players appreciate the charming visuals reminiscent of late '90s games, others feel that the graphics could benefit from updates for clarity and improved gameplay. Overall, the art style is seen as a nostalgic element that appeals to fans of tycoon and simulation games, though it may not meet everyone's expectations for modern graphics.
“Graphics: stunning pixel art.”
“It came in a good old retro style artwork that brings you back to the time before 2000; it reminds me of one of my old favorite games, 'Big Biz Tycoon'.”
“The game has wonderful nostalgic visuals and has a fun management tycoon core.”
“Graphics could be and should be slightly better to make the gameplay easier, instead of trying to figure out what is that bunch of pixels.”
“Cheap pixelated graphics.”
“Graphics remind me of The Sims 1's late 90s graphics.”
- gameplay26 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by interesting mechanics and project management elements, but is hindered by a lack of quality-of-life features and limited team customizability, leading to frustration in completing tasks. While the graphics are praised, many players find the gameplay repetitive and generic compared to other tycoon games, suggesting a need for more diverse mechanics and challenging goals. Overall, the game offers a basic experience with potential for improvement during its early access phase.
“Every core mechanic you could expect is there: employee needs, skill leveling; after all, it's work.”
“There is a tutorial and one scenario/demo map, where you can experience the main gameplay loop for an hour and fulfill a list of goals related to that.”
“I recommend checking it out to get about 1-2 hours of a small gameplay loop of pixel art office management.”
“I got bored with the same generic gameplay I’ve seen in every other tycoon game.”
“I can’t be arsed to sit through the current gameplay to witness those Oscar-worthy moments.”
“[*] gameplay: so, you just do contract work for random companies?”
- humor14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is rated three out of five whoopee cushions, showcasing excellent wordplay in surreal newspapers and quirky object descriptions. While some players appreciate the poking fun at the corporate world and the cheerful dystopian setting, others find the humor lacking and more annoying than entertaining, with no standout moments or characters. Overall, the comedic elements are hit or miss, leaving players divided on their effectiveness.
“Excellent humorous wordplay in the surreal newspapers, goofy object descriptions, and character quirks.”
“Poking fun at the corporate world, the game features quirky characters, slapstick humor, and unexpected events in a cheerful and detailed capitalist dystopia.”
“Funny newsletters: the game released has about 10-15 newsletters that rotate as time goes on.”
- music12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews; some players appreciate the nostalgic elevator music that complements the dystopian theme, likening it to classic tycoon games, while others find the overall sound design to be generic and uninspired.
“I believe it's really a little gem for fans of tycoon/sim games and it takes me back in time with its visuals and music.”
“Gives me old Bullfrog Theme Hospital vibes a bit in the way some of the newspaper articles are written and the music.”
“With the dystopian capitalism vibes, it's all too fitting to have elevator music throughout your stay.”
“[*] sound/music: generic sound and music.”
“[*] sound/music: generic sound and music.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players express disappointment with the grinding aspect, noting that after investing extra time to earn money, it felt redundant since they had already obtained all necessary items. This repetitive effort detracted from their overall enjoyment of the game.
“After spending additional time grinding for money, which became redundant as I had already acquired everything, it left me feeling disappointed.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by a gentle charm that creates a relaxing experience, despite some clunky building and placement mechanics. Players feel that the ambiance makes the gameplay enjoyable and not tedious, enhancing the overall enjoyment.
“Some building and placement can be clunky, but it has a gentle charm and atmosphere that makes playing this relaxing and never feel like you're doing actual un-fun work yourself.”