Info about Aperture Desk Job:

Official game description:
Aperture Desk Job reimagines the been-there-done-that genre of walking simulators and puts them in the lightning-spanked, endorphin-gorged world of sitting still behind things.  
You play as an entry-level nobody on their first day at work — your heart full of hope and your legs full of dreams, eager to climb that corporate ladder. But life’s got other plans, and they all involve chairs.  
Designed as a free playable short for Valve’s new Steam Deck, _Desk Job_ walks you through the handheld’s controls and features, while not being nearly as boring as that sounds.  
**Not Portal 3!**  
Lower your expectations: This is not a sequel to Portal. Now get ready to raise them slightly, because it is in the expanded universe of those games. Desk Job puts you squarely in the driver’s seat at Aperture Science. Then quickly removes the driving part and adds a desk in front of the seat.  
**Steam Deck: A Desk For Your Hands**  
Up until now, real life mostly involved sitting, and video games were the virtual fantasy world you could escape to. With the portable Steam Deck, we flipped that, freeing your body to run marathons and jump out of planes while your brain and hands simulate all the sitting you used to do.  
**It’s F-R-E-E (Free)!**  
Put that wallet away, gaming fan! Your money’s no good here. For this particular product. If your money stops working while trying to buy groceries, though, you should contact your bank immediately, because the cashier _just stole your entire identity?_ You’d better go talk to her again, because _what do you mean she never worked here?!_ Now you’ll have to go undercover as a dark web hacker to track her down! Only to find out it was a _different timeline you?!!_ _From the future?!?!_ And also if anyone from Hollywood is reading this bullet point, take your wallet back out, because this great idea is not free (but is for sale at buyagreatscreenplay@valvesoftware.com )

Release date: Mar 1, 2022

Categories: Walking Simulator, Story-driven Gameplay, Humor-driven Gameplay, Interactive Fiction, Tutorial, Steam Deck Support, Controller Support

Feature scans:
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game demonstrates strong compatibility with Linux and SteamOS, with users reporting smooth performance and reliable launches. The positive experiences on Steam Deck further support the game's Linux compatibility.
- Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Highly Recommended; summary: Aperture Desk Job is highly praised as an excellent introductory tool for new Steam Deck users, effectively demonstrating the device's technical capabilities and providing an engaging and fun gameplay experience. It is frequently recommended as a must-play for new owners, despite some users finding it a bit boring or expecting more content. The game successfully integrates all the features of the Steam Deck and offers a positive user experience overall.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: The game performs well across both Windows systems with less than 8GB VRAM and Steam Deck/handheld devices, with positive feedback dominating the reviews.
  - Sample size: 25 (1% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 16 reports): Players report a good experience, even with lower VRAM configurations.
  - Steam Deck / handheld (positive, 5 reports): The game is praised as a great technical demo for the Steam Deck, showcasing its features effectively.
  - Caveats: 25 of 1748 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that the community generally finds the game worth the price, particularly when it is on sale. This indicates that the base price might be considered slightly high, but still reasonable, especially given the frequent mentions of the game being a good investment when purchased at a discounted price. The repeated emphasis on waiting for a sale suggests that the fair price range is somewhat lower than the perceived base price.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 0.5h
  - Story completion: 0.5h
  - Session length: 0.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence consistently points to a short playtime for Aperture Desk Job, with multiple reviews mentioning a 30-minute duration for completing the game. There is no clear distinction between story completion and full game completion, suggesting they are the same. Session length is inferred to be equal to the total playtime due to the game's brevity. There is no mention of endgame content, indicating it is likely non-existent or negligible.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is a well-received tutorial for Steam Deck controls, appreciated for its humor and efficiency, with fun starting almost immediately.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Understanding the steam deck controls
  - Time to anchor: 0h 5m
  - Friction: Very short; Minimal gameplay depth
  - Unlock drivers: Classic Valve writing and humor; Polished and efficient tutorial
  - Conditions: Short sessions; Appreciation for Valve's humor
- Player Archetypes:
  - Steam Deck Newcomer (buy)
    - Motivation: Learning and familiarization with Steam Deck controls.
    - Playstyle: Casual, tutorial-based gameplay.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: new Steam Deck owner; casual gamer
    - Reference games: Astro’s Playroom
  - Portal Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of the Portal series' humor and story.
    - Playstyle: Story-driven, puzzle-solving gameplay.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Portal fan; story-driven gamer
    - Reference games: Portal; Portal 2
  - Casual Gamer (sale)
    - Motivation: Enjoyment of casual, humorous, and short gaming experiences.
    - Playstyle: Casual, short sessions.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual gamer; humor enthusiast
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Demonstrates Steam Deck features (weight 0.96): The game serves as a solid demonstration of the Steam Deck's capabilities, showcasing its features in a fun and engaging way.
- Short and fun gameplay (weight 0.78): The game is widely appreciated for its short yet enjoyable and fun gameplay. Players find it entertaining and a good way to pass time quickly.
- Portal-style humor (weight 0.53): The game's humor is reminiscent of the Portal series, with a similar style and classic Portal-style jokes that fans appreciate.
- Fantastic tech demo (weight 0.46): The game is praised as a fantastic tech demo, showcasing impressive graphics and technical capabilities, even beyond the Steam Deck.
- High-quality graphics and story (weight 0.34): Players highlight the game's good graphics, stylistics, and story, noting its high-quality visuals and engaging narrative.
- Toilet humor and mechanics (weight 0.14): The game features humor and mechanics related to toilets, which some players find amusing and unique.
- Interesting tutorial (weight 0.14): The game includes an interesting and engaging tutorial that helps players learn the controls and features effectively.
- Free and charming (weight 0.13): The game is noted for being free and charming, adding to its appeal and making it accessible to a wide audience.
- Enjoyable gameplay experience (weight 0.13): Players find the gameplay experience enjoyable and engaging, with unique and funny elements that enhance the overall experience.
- Expands on Cave Johnson’s legacy (weight 0.12): The game provides additional lore and dialogue about Cave Johnson, expanding on his legacy within the Portal universe.

Common complaints:
- Limited replay value (weight 0.53): Many players found the game to be too short and lacking in replay value, with some describing it as hollow and forgettable.
- Controller and input issues (weight 0.44): Several players reported issues with controller compatibility, including problems with specific controllers and lack of keyboard/mouse support.
- Weak story and dialogue (weight 0.24): The story and dialogue were criticized for being weak, long-winded, and not particularly funny.
- Lack of gameplay depth (weight 0.23): Players found the game to lack depth in gameplay, with minimal interaction and little to do.
- Technical issues (weight 0.18): There were various technical issues reported, including performance issues, FPS drops, and crashes.
- Promotional for Steam hardware (weight 0.12): Some players felt that the game was more of a promotional tool for Steam hardware rather than a standalone game.
- Abrupt ending (weight 0.11): The game's ending was criticized for being abrupt and going nowhere, leaving players unsatisfied.
- Lack of achievements and puzzles (weight 0.1): Players noted the absence of achievements and puzzles, which are typically expected in such games.
- Subtitles readability (weight 0.07): Some players found the subtitles hard to read, which affected their overall experience.

Gameplay feedback:
- Steam Deck tutorial introduction (weight 0.47): The game serves as an introduction to the Steam Deck, providing a tutorial on its controls and features. It is designed to familiarize players with the basic functionalities and mechanics of the Steam Deck.
- Integration of Steam Deck features (weight 0.42): The gameplay integrates various Steam Deck features, such as the gyroscope and touchscreen, tailoring the experience specifically for the Steam Deck. It focuses on showcasing and utilizing the unique functionalities of the device.
- Technical demo for Steam Deck (weight 0.24): The game is a technical demo designed to showcase the capabilities of the Steam Deck and the Source 2 engine. It serves as a demonstration of what the Steam Deck can do.
- Unique toilet shooting mechanics (weight 0.23): The gameplay involves shooting toilets and using a toilet machine gun, adding a humorous and unique element to the game. Players shoot various objects, including toilets, as part of the gameplay.
- Story-focused gameplay (weight 0.16): The game blends instruction and storytelling seamlessly, with interactivity mainly serving to move the story forward. It is mostly a visual novel with narrative elements.
- Rail shooter elements (weight 0.07): The game includes rail shooter elements, where players shoot targets while moving along a predetermined path. This adds variety to the gameplay mechanics.
- Interactive and playable experience (weight 0.07): The game is an interactive and playable experience, offering a series of demonstrations and tutorials. It is designed to be engaging and hands-on.
- Character progression (weight 0.06): The game features a progression from a simple quality control worker to an inventor, adding depth to the character development and storyline.

Performance notes:
- Steam Deck performance and controls (weight 0.35): The game is frequently mentioned as a good showcase for the Steam Deck's capabilities, with players noting that it runs well and the controls are well-adapted. However, there are also mentions of performance issues.
- Optimization and performance (weight 0.31): The game is generally considered well-optimized and runs smoothly on various setups, including low-end PCs and different controllers. However, there are some reports of crashes and FPS drops.
- Source 2 engine utilization (weight 0.05): The game leverages Valve’s Source 2 engine to deliver polished environments and expressive character animations, contributing to a high-quality visual experience.
- Crash on bootup (weight 0.04): There is a report of the game crashing on bootup, which could be a significant issue for some players.
- Gyroscope support (weight 0.04): There is a mention of gyroscope support, which could be relevant for players using motion controls.
- Specific hardware mention (weight 0.04): Some reviews mention specific hardware like the GTX 1080, indicating the game's performance on particular setups.
- No discovered bugs (weight 0.04): Some players reported not finding any bugs, indicating a smooth experience for them.

Recommendations:
- Ideal for Steam Deck owners (weight 0.57): This game is highly recommended for Steam Deck owners as it showcases the capabilities of the device and is considered a must-play for those who have recently purchased or are considering buying a Steam Deck.
- Recommended for Portal fans (weight 0.27): Fans of the Portal series are highly encouraged to play this game due to its similar humor and charm, making it a great experience for those who enjoy the Portal franchise.
- Controller recommended (weight 0.16): The game is recommended to be played with a controller, enhancing the gameplay experience, especially for those who have a gamepad.
- Desire for more content (weight 0.15): Players express a desire for more content, including additional levels and a potential full game, as well as anticipation for Portal 3.
- Free and worth trying (weight 0.07): Since the game is free, it is recommended to give it a try, making it accessible and worthwhile for a quick gaming session.
- Avoid spoilers (weight 0.04): Players are advised to avoid spoilers to fully enjoy the game's experience.
- Show to friends (weight 0.04): The game is recommended to show to friends, likely due to its fun and engaging nature.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Joy (weight 0.12): Players experience joy due to the game's humorous moments, engaging storyline, and charming characters. The setting within the beloved Portal universe and the enjoyable gameplay mechanics also contribute significantly to this positive emotion.
- Excitement (weight 0.1): The excitement stems from the game's unique demonstration of Steam Deck features and its humorous, engaging content. Players are also thrilled by the game's absurd universe, high quality, and the fact that it is free.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction arises from the game's high quality, its role as an effective tutorial for Steam Deck, and its overall polished experience. Players appreciate the game's humor, narrative, and the fact that it is free and well-optimized.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.08): Enjoyment is derived from the game's funny and engaging interactions, creative gameplay, and the nostalgic return to the Portal universe. The short but fun experience, combined with classic Valve humor, adds to the overall enjoyment.
- Disappointment (weight 0.07): Disappointment is caused by the game's short playtime, lack of meaningful interaction, and its promotional nature for Steam hardware. Some players also find the game boring and lacking in depth.
- Amusement (weight 0.06): Amusement is primarily due to the game's humor, funny interactions, and chaotic elements. The game's humorous tone and entertaining value keep players amused throughout.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.06): Nostalgia is evoked by the game's references to the Portal series, familiar characters, and the return to the beloved Portal universe. Players appreciate the game's ability to bring back memories of the Portal games.
- Happy (weight 0.05): Happiness comes from the game's humor, enjoyable storyline, and the overall fun experience. Players are also happy about the game's performance on different platforms and the nostalgic elements from the Portal universe.
- Excited (weight 0.05): Players are excited about the potential for more Portal games and the unique interactive nature of the game. The game's quality, features, and the fun gameplay experience contribute to this excitement.
- Frustration (weight 0.04): Frustration is caused by technical issues such as game crashes, controller problems, and performance issues on Steam Deck. The game's short length and lack of save points also add to the frustration.
- Positive (weight 0.03): Positive feelings are generated by the game's high quality, humor, and the fact that it is free. Players appreciate the game's functionality, narrative, and overall enjoyable experience.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is due to Valve's effort in creating a unique and functional game that introduces and demonstrates the capabilities of the Steam Deck. Players value the game's quality and features.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is driven by its humor, charm, and engaging characters. Players express strong positive sentiments towards the game's design and overall experience.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Surprise comes from the game's impressive tactile feedback, unique elements, and the fact that it succeeds as a game despite not being primarily designed as one. Learning about Steam Deck functions also adds to the surprise.
- Disappointed (weight 0.02): Disappointment stems from the game's short length, lack of depth, and its promotional nature. Players are also disappointed with the game's content and its effectiveness as a tutorial.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Approval is given to the game's high quality, voice acting, and Valve's approach compared to other companies. Players appreciate the well-made nature of the game despite its short production time.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from the game's strange lore connections, unusual elements, and the lack of clear sense in some parts. Players are also confused about certain aspects of the game's design and purpose.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed for the potential development of Portal 3 and the future potential shown by the developer. Players are hopeful for more content and games in the Portal universe.
- Happiness (weight 0.01): Happiness is derived from the enjoyable story, new gameplay elements, and the overall fun experience. Players are happy with the game's performance and the humorous dialogues.}