What the box?
- August 23, 2016
- Bitten Toast Games Inc.
- 5h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on itch.io StoreWhat The Box is an online multiplayer shooter where players control living boxes in various environments, trying to destroy each other using a box cutter or a single bullet gun. With 6 game modes, room customization, a level editor, and Steam workshop integration, the game offers high replayability and a unique experience up to 10 players. The original soundtrack and AI bots add to the overall package.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Windows
Xbox One
Linux
Xbox
Reviews
- The game is incredibly fun and hilarious, especially when played with friends.
- It features a unique concept where players are boxes, adding a humorous twist to traditional shooter mechanics.
- The game has a catchy soundtrack and simple controls, making it easy to pick up and play.
- The online community is nearly dead, making it difficult to find matches with other players.
- The game lacks content, with only a few maps and weapons available, leading to quick boredom.
- Performance issues and lag can detract from the overall experience, especially on lower-end systems.
- gameplay51 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as fun and easy to pick up, featuring solid mechanics and a variety of levels, though some players find it repetitive and lacking depth over time. While the graphics are basic, they do not significantly detract from the experience, and the game offers a unique twist on familiar mechanics. However, issues like bugs and a low player count may affect long-term engagement.
“Amazingly fun and addictive gameplay.”
“The gameplay is challenging and tactical, the gimmick well-executed, the controls reasonably tight, and the levels well-designed.”
“Gameplay is incredibly easy to get into and there's a nice variety of levels for the meager price tag on this game.”
“The gameplay only consists of shooting and knifing people, but considering you can hide almost instantly anywhere, the game gets pretty absurd, even with only 2 players on the server.”
“Infinite bugs and the gameplay itself is incredibly boring.”
“Gameplay bland and poorly executed.”
- music39 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 44 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the soundtrack as amazing and catchy, particularly the main theme. However, some users have noted issues with volume levels, especially at startup and between levels, which can be jarring. Overall, while the music is often described as fun and silly, there are criticisms regarding its repetitiveness and optimization.
“Amazing soundtrack.”
“The music goes from 'how do I make it stop?' to singing it with your friends quite quickly.”
“Also has the best theme song made for a game, ever.”
“Only one warning for your poor ears: when starting up, remove your headset; the music is loud. Unfortunately, when you turn off the music between levels, it still belts out a few notes at full blast, so when the scoreboard is visible, I remove the headset a little and put it back on when we continue playing.”
“Poorly optimized, lags like crazy even on the lowest graphic settings, and the soundtrack is pretty terrible.”
“Great game 9/10, but the in-game music is kind of annoying after 30 minutes.”
- graphics37 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are generally described as basic yet reasonable, with a unique style that some players find appealing, especially at lower settings. However, many users report issues with optimization, leading to lag and performance problems even on lower graphic settings. Overall, while the visuals can be enjoyable, they are often seen as unpolished and requiring significant graphical power for optimal performance.
“Its breathtaking graphics are truly eye-opening and from a gameplay perspective, it hits the nail on the head.”
“Controls are easy and smooth, and the graphics, while simple, are great as well.”
“Very funny with good graphics; even in low quality mode, the boxes look epic!”
“Poorly optimized, lags like crazy even on the lowest graphic settings, and the soundtrack is pretty terrible.”
“It's kind of fun but it really requires way too much graphics power for what it is.”
“Still unpolished with graphics, UI, and some other stuff.”
- humor35 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its ironic and absurd elements, with players frequently laughing during matches, particularly at quirky visuals like a cardboard box wielding a box cutter. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to deliver both fun and hilarity, especially when played with friends, making it a standout choice for those seeking a lighthearted gaming experience. Overall, the combination of cute graphics and clever sound design enhances its comedic appeal.
“Honestly, I've never played a match yet where I haven't laughed at some point - you cannot tell me an ordinary cardboard box holding a box cutter coming straight at you isn't one of the most hilarious things you've ever seen.”
“This game is absolutely hilarious and terrifying at the same time.”
“Hilarious to play with friends you know.”
- optimization16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting poor performance and low FPS even on decent hardware, while others believe that the issues stem from inadequate system specifications. Despite its simplicity, the game struggles to run smoothly on lower-end PCs, though some users note that performance improves after initial matches. Overall, there are significant optimization concerns, but players remain hopeful for future updates to address these issues.
“And runs smoothly, on almost any computer.”
“Game is super fun and catchy - there are a few optimization issues that I'm sure will be fixed in coming updates.”
“You'd think that such a simple game about boxes killing each other would run smoothly on my laptop... well, after waiting through a match and starting a new one, it does run better.”
“Bad performance and low FPS (on my medium good PC).”
“Bad optimization: although simple, it cannot be played on a potato PC.”
“Horribly optimized.”
- story8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a lack of a dedicated story mode, with users expressing disappointment over the absence of a narrative-driven experience or solo gameplay options, such as fighting against AI. Overall, the consensus is that the game does not offer a meaningful story component.
“No story mode.”
“What story?”
“It would be better if it had something to play solo, like fighting smart AI or a story mode.”
- stability4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while some users report bugs and missing features, such as a lack of a suicide option, others praise the developers for their quick responsiveness in addressing issues. The game's addictive nature and strong developer support contribute positively to the overall experience despite the noted stability concerns.
“There doesn't seem to be a suicide option, so I had to quit. Therefore, it's at least somewhat buggy and missing a useful feature for a buggy game.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game has low replayability, but its affordable price makes it a worthwhile purchase for players.
“Low replayability, but it's cheap, so it's worth it.”
