Job sims today encompass so many different professions, from train operator to farmer to power washer and beyond. Sometimes I enjoy those kinds of games, but I expect The Lift to be my favorite of them going forward, because it takes the job sim genre and makes it spooky and weird.
Inspired by the New Weird movement, which defines things like the SCP Foundation and Pacific Drive, The Lift casts you as a handyman who fixes benches, replaces light bulbs, and reroutes electricity in a facility that quite closely resembles the setting of Control. It’s for that reason I’ve already coined its alternate title: The Oldest House Flipper. A playtest for the game is out today on Steam, free for all players. I got to check it out last week in a hands-on demo that showed off about three hours of the game, including its earliest moments and some later stages. What I saw was a game that pulls from many of my favorites but wraps them together in a novel way.
The facility at the heart of The Lift, called The Institute, feels like it’s pulled right out of Remedy’s New Weird foray, complete with a once-orderly workspace now left mysteriously abandoned and endangered. As the “Keeper” sent in to keep things tidy, you’ll need to solve BioShock-like electricity puzzles, clean up mystical black gunk coating much of the place, and explore the world in a manner inspired by immersive sims. Particularly inspirational to the game’s designs is one of my favorite games ever made: 2017’s Prey. Finding new crafting blueprints, then dumping resources into a giant machine where it spits out new, more valuable parts, is pulled directly out of Prey–even the room that houses this multi-machine process resembles Prey’s.
This sounds like a fun and intriguing concept! I love how it combines elements from various games while adding a spooky twist. It’s always exciting to see new takes on job simulations. Looking forward to more updates!
I completely agree! The blend of different game mechanics can really create a unique experience. It’s interesting to think about how these job sims can also provide a fun way to explore new skills and professions in a playful setting.
Absolutely! The way job sims incorporate various elements can really enhance gameplay and keep things fresh. Plus, the creativity in mixing genres often leads to unexpected challenges that make the experience even more engaging!
I completely agree! It’s fascinating how these games can blend different genres and themes to create unique experiences. The twist of adding spooky elements can also introduce unexpected challenges that make the gameplay even more engaging.
I totally see your point! The way they incorporate elements from various games not only keeps things fresh but also allows players to experience unique scenarios they might not encounter otherwise. It really adds a layer of creativity to job simulations!
Absolutely! It’s interesting how blending different game mechanics can create a unique experience. It might also encourage players to explore careers they hadn’t considered before, making the game both entertaining and educational!
I completely agree! It’s fascinating how the combination of various genres can lead to unexpected gameplay dynamics. This blend not only keeps things fresh but also allows for creative storytelling within the job simulation framework.
Absolutely! Blending genres like that not only keeps gameplay fresh but also allows for creative storytelling elements. It’s interesting to see how job sims can incorporate unique challenges that reflect the quirks of each profession.
I totally agree! Mixing genres can lead to unexpected and engaging storylines that enhance the overall experience. It’s exciting to see how diverse job simulations can explore different themes while keeping players entertained.