Job Simulator from Owlchemy Labs is a game in a class of its own. There isn’t one specific part of this game that is going to blow your expectations out of the water, but there is enough in this game in each aspect that will be enjoyable for you to play. Whether it be the mini-games that make you think you are living the office life or the simple mechanics that make this game easy to play, there is something for everyone to love in this game.
In our in-depth game reviews at VRGear, we look to cover everything you need to know about a virtual reality game before you go out and buy or try a virtual title. In this day and age of VR games, there is a lot to know about before you spend your money. From the locomotion system game (or the lack of it), or the constant moving jobs, you are going to get answers to it all in our game reviews.
Getting Up and Running
Getting up and running in Job Simulator is no different than any other virtual reality title, and it won’t be requiring any extra setup other than loading into the game. For a price of $19.99, you will be able to own this game outright. This game is available on the Oculus Store, as well as the SteamVR Store. If you are looking for it inside of Viveport Infinity, it won’t be there. If you are wanting to buy the game from Viveport, that is something that you can do. It is not available on the PSN or any other online services for VR games.
The file size is coming in at 1 GB, a size that is respectable, considering the amount of gameplay you get out of this game. If you are connected with quick internet, this game will download and be installed in a matter of minutes. If you are connected to the digital world with slower internet speeds, then this game could take about 15 minutes to download and finish installing on your PC.
Type of Game
This is a considered a comedic arcade VR game, and it fits the bill pretty well. You won’t be fighting off futuristic aliens or blasting starships out of the air, but you will be playing the role of many different job occupations in today’s modern world. There are multiple game modes to play while you are acting in the place of the actual employees, and you can find the jobs listed out below.
Inside of Job Simulator, you can jump into four different jobs, and with a new never-ending overtime shift that is taking place inside of your office. This allows you to experience the different parts of the workforce without ever leaving the comfort of your own couch and headset. The jobs are chef, car mechanic, office clerk, and a cashier. All three have their own hidden challenges, but we will let you find those on your own as you work through this game.
Player Perspective
You will be playing this game from the classic VR perspective, which is first-person. You will be able to see your hands, but nothing else inside of the game. Your arms, legs, body, and even shadows aren’t included to help immerse you into this game. With that being said, there is enough to make you feel immersed without having to feel like you are living a different life. The first-person perspective is the safe option, and that is exactly what Owlchemy Labs did.
Theme and Story – Score: 9/10
The theme and story both are strong in this game, complimenting themselves all the way to a solid score of 9 out of 10 here. The theme here is working but in a fun and somewhat chill environment. The story is constant in both the mini working games and the game overall. You won’t be going through major changes in this game, and you won’t be switching games, as the mini-games are essentially all the same. Strong outing for this part of the game from Owlchemy Labs.
Controls – Score: 9/10
For each part of the game, and in each mini-game, you will be using different controls. To have the continuity and the ease of controls in each mini-game that you played is something truly impressive from the devs. Even though the game is constantly changing scenes and controls, they seem natural in each and every job you pick up.
Music and Sound – Score: 10/10
There isn’t a dull moment in this game when it comes to the audio that is being poured into your ears. From the narrator helping you through the game to the engaging soundtrack in each of the stores, the devs did a great job of making you feel like you are in a different world because of the immersive sounds. We played this game with the Valve Index and the great near field speakers that headset has, so it was a nice added bonus for us.
Player Movement – Score: 9/10
The player movement in this game was fantastic, even though it only made small appearances throughout the gameplay. This game maps to your real-world and does it nearly perfectly. It plays to your play space well and never tries to get you to go out of your designated play area. This is important to have for games that immerse you this well, so getting a movement score of 9 here is no surprise.
Kinetosis – Score: 10/10
Because this game is mapped to your real-world and your real movement, it makes it much easier to reduce the motion sickness you feel. In fact, the motion sickness we felt in this game was non-existent. If you are on the search for a fun simulation game with no motion sickness, look no further. This is the game for you.
Environment and Immersion – Score: 10/10
Much like the music and sound in this game, we learned that this has no flaws. The music helps, but the colorful and ever-changing environment played a large role as well in a score this perfect. Inside of this game, you never want to leave. When you run out of jobs to do, you’ll likely decide to play some more. It isn’t an experience you’ll forget any time soon.
Overall – Score: 9.5/10
The score of this game is incredibly high, but it doesn’t perfectly capture how we felt about this game. Even though the story is rich and engaging, there are not enough jobs for you to feel satisfied at the end. Comparing this game to newer high-end games is hard because of the depth new games provide. We love this game, and occasionally come back to it, but it isn’t what we would consider a ‘must buy’. For $19.99, you can find a handful of more engaging games, although this can get the job done for new VR users.
