It is a well-known fact amongst his fans that Mono always has another clever challenge up his sleeve. In my opinion, this game is no exception to that rule.
The movement is outstanding and feels very smooth compared to Mono's previous works. The colour palette is well composed and shows a profound understanding of colour theory. Both the textures and sounds have been beautifully and skillfully handcrafted and harmonize in a way that is rarely seen in the genre.
I had a lot of fun figuring out how to beat the game as quickly as possible. Admittedly, the demo level was a bit overwhelming at first - as the vast majority of playtesters had already stated in the comments.
At the same time, there's no denying that Mono's no-holds-barred approach to meeting yet another strict deadline brought forth a game which, by its sheer complexity, proves that it takes its players seriously and entrusts them with a difficult task, rather than simply being the work of an uninspired developer focused on the sole purpose of gaining influence while continuing to churn out insipid, shallow works for the half-witted and weak-minded.
Its strenghs as well as its weaknesses truly make "Wonder Office (Jam Version)" a work of art that mirrors the overall anxious zeitgeist of modern society, dominated by the ever-quickening pace of economic activity, leading to constant fear of burnout and existential crisis, while top managers sit relaxed in their armchairs - legs crossed - secretly planning the next mass layoff to increase profits even further.
Mono's work points out the ironic nature of our never-ending race against the clock by forcing players to learn the inevitable truth that they themselves don't even realize it anymore, while they focus only on being as efficient as possible in the game's challenge. A brutal yet fair point.
- Unquestionably ingenious. * * * * * 5 Stars
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