Games for Lunch: WTF: Work Time Fun
In a nutshell: What if they made a game that tried its best NOT to be fun...?
8/11/2009 5:30 PM | 6 Comments | Page 1 of 3
Kyle Orland
Status: "You can't get quality video game editorial from a value menu!" "No, really, you can't."
Developer: SCEJ
Publisher: D3 Publisher
Release Date: Oct. 16, 2006
System: PSP
ESRB Rating: T
Official Web Site
0:00 Comparisons to the WarioWare series had me seeking this one out, but just as a rental. Doesn't sound deep enough to warrant a purchase, based on what I've read.
0:01 There's a large, yawning cat behind the standard screen telling me not to remove the memory card. I press X and a low, distorted announcer's voice screams "WORK TIME FUN!" The screaming guy in the background reminds me of
Dr. Tran.
0:02 The default character name is "WTF Jr." I wonder how many people actually choose that name. Also, there's a "?" option for gender. That's ... inclusive, I guess. The game also asks for my blood type. I don't even know!
0:03 An old-fashioned LED message board on a silver background. "You've got mail," says the voice. It's from "WTF Net." They're here to provide support for my e-mail. Um, good to know?
0:04 To the Placement Office we go. A blue-faced demon in a robe carries a beer. "Hey! Did you eat lunch? All right, now get to work," he says. In the background, sounds of whips and screaming. Holy f***, this game is messed UP!
0:05 Traffic Counter is the first game. "Count the people who appear from left and right. You'll lose if you count anything other than a person." Thrilling...
0:06 Robots, ducks, cats and gelatinous cubes waddle to and fro along with crude cartoons of people, all against a simple, hand-drawn black-and-white background. It's like something out of
an R. Crumb book. I kind of like the low, repetitive chiptune music and the DOOM-style picture of my face in the bottom of the screen.
0:07 During Round 2, my avatar starts breathing heavily and screaming stuff like "Too Hard" and "Oh Jeez." Actually, it is pretty hard -- trucks and such are stopping me from getting a good view, and they're all moving a lot faster now. I counted 13 when they were actually 15. My reward: a check for $0.00. Uh, why even write a check if it's for $0.00? Let's see if we can improve that number.
0:09 Ah ... apparently last time I didn't count the guy in the tank as a human. I fix that this time, and get to Round 3 before failing. Still no virtual money for my efforts. OK, time to move on.
0:11 So the Baseball Star game asks me to field 1,000 balls. That's right, one THOUSAND! And if I miss just three, I'm done. The graphics and gameplay remind me a bit of
Intellivision baseball, except with only one fielder and a demon at the plate. Starts out easy enough, with balls coming straight at me, but very soon I'm diving and missing all over the place. I caught 20 balls for $0.40. Must be the minor leagues. One more try...
0:13 I got 22 catches for 44 cents this time. I forgot to mention the strange way the game screams "Idiot!" in a demonic tone every time I miss. F***ed. Up. OK ... one more try. What can I say, I'm easily amused.
