There’s a Gun in the Office is a really intriguing title, and one that sets up a tense, stripped-back puzzle experience. In short, you wake locked in a room and learn that your captor returns each day. You have to use the time they are away to get closer to the gun that may give you your escape. Every time you leave your room you must return everything exactly as you found it before your captor gets home to hide your tracks.
The premise is immediately engaging: the ticking clock, the claustrophobic setting, the pressure of being discovered. The apartment is your stage. You explore quietly, search for keys and clues, all while making sure you leave nothing out of place when time is up. That blend of memory, stealth and environmental observation creates a quiet tension that builds steadily, and even with it just being you against the clock the tension can get mightily high.
The game looks modest but effective. The setting is functional, almost bland on purpose, and that mundanity plays into the mood: an office environment turned sinister by your situation. It doesn’t lean into big graphics or cinematic flourishes, and the simple presentation works in favour of the design rather than against it – after all this is an office, not some kind of epic cinematic landscape. The almost dull accuracy of the place definitely lends itself well to the tension.
Mechanically the game stays focused. There are no huge battles or sprawling systems, just you, the space and the rules you must obey. The genius of the design lies in that restraint. Each error matters and every loop teaches you something new. The narrative is minimal but enough to keep you invested while the gameplay loop does the heavy lifting. It’s not the longest game in the world, and some players will finish the core escape attempt in just a couple of hours if they know what they are doing. The game supports multiple endings though, which gives the replay value a lift. Because the loops are short, the value comes from tension over time rather than content scale, and the steady learning cycle that goes on each time keeps you on your toes.
There are some small limitations… the puzzle structure is very rigid, and if you move too quickly or miss something small you’ll find yourself repeating the same day. For some this design will feel smart, for others it may feel frustrating or repetitive. The lack of broader systems or variety means the experience is narrow but laser-focused.
If you enjoy games that quietly twist the knife, that build anxiety with subtle design rather than explosions, this is one to try. There’s a Gun in the Office may not be large or flashy, but it knows its niche and plays it with clarity.
Reviewed on PS5
