The Office game is better than you'd think

by Justin McElroy { Nov 13th 2007 at 11:55AM }

When thinking of TV shows to transform into games, The Office isn't the first on the list. The show is light on the sort of sophomoric hijinx that usually passes for humor in games and pretty heavy on the talking. That said, the casual game version of NBC's hit show actual fares a bit better than one might expect, earning a four-star review from Gamezebo.

If you've played Diner Dash, you're already familiar with the time management fetch-and-return gameplay of The Office, though there's an added twist of competing against another cubicle dweller. Judging from the demo we played, the writing's nowhere near as sharp as the TV show's (big surprise), but it's at least true enough to be respectful. (We do, however, take umbrage with the addition of a laugh track to some of the game. Seriously, guys? A laugh track?) We're not sure it would qualify as a necessary purchase, but fans of the show will probably find a few minutes of diversion.

(Full disclosure: The author occasionally contributes to Gamezebo.)

Tags: casualgames, gamezebo, the-office, theoffice

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JPN @ Nov 13th 2007 12:01PM

LOL...a laugh track? Really? Wow...talk about someone totally missing the point of the show.

That Pam barely looks like her.

hvnlysoldr @ Nov 13th 2007 12:52PM

(Holds sign) APPLAUSE

GRANTED @ Nov 13th 2007 12:03PM

Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

Phranctoast @ Nov 13th 2007 12:07PM

Michael!!!!!

gonk @ Nov 13th 2007 12:05PM

yawn

rogue_pigeon @ Nov 13th 2007 12:06PM

Oh come on, they're not enough sat in the right places!

rogue_pigeon @ Nov 13th 2007 12:08PM

*even, obviously.

WiNG @ Nov 13th 2007 12:12PM

D: If I were a real serial killer, you would never be found. I would cut off your finger tips and remove your teeth, so you couldn't be identified.

M: Wow, just... you are creepier than a real serial killer.

Jerk Face @ Nov 13th 2007 12:34PM

LOL

I was laughing SO HARD at that part! One of the best shows ever!

SaxyGator @ Nov 13th 2007 2:09PM

I would be called the Overkill Killer.

Marty @ Nov 13th 2007 12:31PM

I declare bankruptcy!!!

modified @ Nov 13th 2007 12:38PM

Either they really messed up Stanley or the warehouse guy got a desk job.

gonk @ Nov 13th 2007 12:46PM

i noticed that too, pretty fuckin lame they can't even make a fat guy

Boss Tempo @ Nov 13th 2007 12:45PM

Hopefully the writers strike ends soon, otherwise this sorry looking crap will be the only new Office content anyone gets for a while!

Macroy @ Nov 13th 2007 12:48PM

That's one of the worst screenshots I've ever seen. Couldn't they just use jokey pictures of the actors instead?

zero2dash @ Nov 13th 2007 12:52PM

Sounds like the game is about as overrated as the show, which I still don't see what the fuss is about. I don't think I've laughed more than one time in the couple of hours combined of Office viewing that I've done. Maybe it's some sort of inside humor that only certain people get, just like only some people can see the 3d art pictures. Either way, I just don't get this show. It's not funny to me.

Family Guy on the other hand...now *there's* funny.

Andy S. @ Nov 13th 2007 2:46PM

It's funny to people who have jobs that don't involve frying things, waiting tables, or driving a truck.

This is why you don't get it.

It's okay, though. When they produce a show about the people who refill vending machines, the tables will be turned. The day will be yours!

zero2dash @ Nov 13th 2007 4:16PM

...except my job doesn't involve any of those things and the show is still the dumbest show on tv.

Yuliy @ Nov 13th 2007 7:06PM

Well it depends on your type of humor.
If you like jokes that are based on characters and situations that involve some wit, then you love the Office for its brilliant writing.
If you like random jokes that come out of nowhere and are only funny because they are either very obscure or very broad then you like Family Guy.

Hollywood Ron @ Nov 13th 2007 12:56PM

This game is worthless without Creed.

James @ Nov 13th 2007 12:56PM

That isn't The Office.

TenTonWang @ Nov 13th 2007 1:06PM

as stated in the actual article, this is just a miss management rip off. Kinda sad they couldnt make something completely original for it...

Wilson @ Nov 13th 2007 1:32PM

A laugh track? wtf, not even TV shows should include those anymore, it's like telling your audience:

"You're so dumb, that we need to tell you when to laugh"

I fcking hate those ¬¬

Carl Winslow @ Nov 13th 2007 1:43PM

I feel just like zero2dash about The Office and Family Guy.

Only the EXACT opposite.

WiNG @ Nov 13th 2007 1:59PM

Also Carl, your sitcom was pretty good.

You know, until every episode was about Urkel's inventions.

jeffx @ Nov 13th 2007 3:07PM

I can't even recognize the top three characters in front of Pam... is that... Ryan? Andy?

But I'm trying that demo, thanks for the link.

Superstar90 @ Nov 13th 2007 4:31PM

I thought this game would be called Second Second Life.

Mr Khan @ Nov 13th 2007 5:05PM

"Sometimes i think that Michael might just be a secret genius"
(Laughs)
"Sometimes i say really stupid stuff"

Hollacious @ Nov 15th 2007 2:28PM

Wow it's like an old time management game (Diner Dash) crossed with some stuff taken from a new time management game -- Miss Management, which is set in an office and has colored tasks etc. And unless I'm mistaken, that game was from the same company that did Diner Dash.