The Salesman

Last updated: 2025-11-18

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Summary
  • Highly praised, short, story-driven psychological horror.
  • Masterful psychological horror with social satire.
  • Engaging Salesman character and unique concept.
  • Critically short, repetitive, and linear gameplay.
  • Suffers from critical bugs and missing settings.
  • Short length, repetitive tasks impact value.
The Salesman header

Categories

Psychological HorrorSingle-player StoryAtmospheric HorrorWalking SimulatorSocial SimulationChoice-based NarrativeTask-based Gameplay

Emotions

Satisfaction26%Disappointment14%Frustration9%Excitement6%Enjoyment5%
Reviews
(sample size)
344
Helpful reviews
67%
Unhelpful reviews
31%
Protest reviews
1%
Positive points
622
Negative points
469
Gameplay points
71
Perf. points
9
Rec. points
129
Misc points
94
Point
Highly Praised Short Experience
Description
Players overwhelmingly enjoyed the game, finding it a genuinely fun, sweet, and engaging short experience. Its low price (often $5 or less) was frequently cited as excellent value for the content provided, especially considering it's a debut title from a new studio.
Importance
99%
Masterful Psychological Horror
Description
The game excels at creating an unsettling, creeping psychological horror atmosphere rather than relying solely on jump scares. While it does feature effective and well-timed jump scares, its strength lies in building tension and making players question choices, creating a lasting, thought-provoking sense of dread.
Importance
46%
Potent Social & Economic Satire
Description
The game received strong praise for its sharp, relevant social commentary on corporate greed, capitalism, and an ad-saturated world. Players found the in-game ads and their subtle transformation genuinely horrifying, entertaining, and effective in conveying a relatable, almost realistic critique of modern societal issues.
Importance
33%
The Salesman is a Star
Description
The character of "THE SALESMAN" was a significant highlight for many players. His goofy, entertaining, and sometimes unsettling presence, along with his memorable antics, made him a fan favorite and a standout part of the game.
Importance
18%
Engaging References and Easter Eggs
Description
The game was noted for being packed with numerous references to other creators, "Bad Ideas" projects, and hidden easter eggs. Players enjoyed discovering these details, which added another layer of charm and personality to the experience.
Importance
14%
Compelling Game Concept
Description
Reviewers consistently praised the game's unique and interesting core concept. The novel idea behind the game, combined with well-executed small design details, contributed significantly to its appeal and made for an an intriguing experience.
Importance
13%
Memorable Credits and Music
Description
The game's credits sequence, particularly the accompanying song, stood out as a highlight for many players. It was often described as "amazing," "a banger," and a strong finish that significantly enhanced the overall experience.
Importance
11%
Strong Developer Support & Hope
Description
Many players expressed enthusiasm for supporting the indie developers (Bad Ideas Productions) and showed faith in their future projects. There was a clear appreciation for their debut effort and a desire to see them continue to create more games.
Importance
10%
Hilarious Character Writing
Description
Players frequently highlighted the comedic quality of the game's writing, especially the main character's commentary. This element contributed to many laughs and was appreciated for balancing the horror with humor.
Importance
6%