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Office jobs are grueling. If its not the paper work, it’s the long hours, and if its not the long hours, it’s the coworkers that make office jobs unbearable. If only there was an office job that meant something, an office job that really made a difference in the world. I present to you the game: Death and Taxes by Placeholder Gameworks. Released in 2020 for PC and later Nintendo Switch, this indie puzzle bureaucracy simulator has the player take the role of the new Grim Reaper, deciding the fates of a number of humans daily, all while sitting behind a desk. You can choose to end the life of a bank robber or let a housewife that loves painting live. But each choice comes with a consequence that could positively or negatively impact humanity and the balance of the world. You have a boss, named Fate, who gives you instructions every day that you can follow…if you want.
Death and Taxes is an effort to help people deal with themes of death and doom from a new perspective while putting the player in a sense of self-reflection. You’re going to have to make tough choices – not every good person can live, not every bad person can die, but at least there is some funny dialogue. Those of you that like to go to the office with a little pizazz will be happy to know that at the end of each workday, the player is paid! This currency can be spent on cosmetic items for the workplace, new attire, or some tools that will help you with your work. It’s a job with meaning, but is it great? As you put some time into the story you start to question whether your boss’ assignments for you are the best thing for humanity, sometimes even question yourself. All in all though, it’s a fun game that gives gamers a new experience.
The title released to positive reception. KeenGamer gives it an 8/10 while holding a 9/10 user rating on Steam. For players that enjoy a different type of indie game, Death and Taxes brings a unique experience with the feeling of 90s era DOS puzzle game. The game takes 3 hours to beat, which is about 6 lunch breaks. Completionist who want to experience every consequence in this simulator will need to put in at least 20 hours of overtime. Hey, at least the coffee is always fresh!
