I have a documented affinity for games that use simulated operating systems. It might be because I enjoy desktops and miss the days when they weren’t full of ads, stupid features, and buried or missing settings. For me, an OS sim element is like business sim elements; they can only improve a game.

Butter Side Down is the weirdest I’ve encountered… so far. Pony Island was a little weird, and so was Hypnospace Outlaw, but those games primarily used their OS’s as a vehicle for something else. For Butter Side Down, the OS is practically the entire game.

WEALTH REDISTRIBUTION

You’re dropped straight to the OS, named BC-3, and you’re provided with absolutely no instruction. It’s not all that difficult to figure out what you’re supposed to be doing, though actually accomplishing it is another matter. There’s a series of questions in a mysterious file that you have to locate the correct answers to. I’m not going to spoil it, but it’s pretty easy to tell when you come across one of those answers.

How to actually get those answers is another matter. You’re going to have to poke around.

It wasn’t too hard for me to figure out how to get everything I was looking for. I’m not wielding a galaxy-sized brain over here, so I just assume it won’t be difficult for most people. 

INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE

While there are a lot of things to look at on your desktop, there are two things that stand out as important. The first seems to be the protagonist’s actual job, which is, curiously, answering a series of bizarre questions. I wouldn’t even be able to narrow down a range of subjects for you, it’s seriously all over the place.

The second big thing is making phone calls to your co-workers. You have a small selection of questions you can ask them, but each results in them revealing various things about themselves. Why? Good question, but they’re all pretty interesting characters. Your supervisor seems pretty cool. The Money Lady is a vampire, which is pretty hot, but considering romantic relationships with your co-workers – especially someone in a superior position – would be inappropriate. What were we talking about?

It’s an interesting world that Butter Side Down presents. Aliens, vampires, jesters, French Partisan alligators; they tie together in a strangely believable manner. Feels like I’m working in an office again. Doing pointless tasks and commiserating with co-workers.

WORKING HARD OR HARDLY WORKING?

Butter Side Down is largely a collection of jokes, both visual and textual. Thankfully, they mostly range from amusing to hilarious. Nothing split my side, but a lot of it made me nod my head in respect. Surprisingly, everything leads into a really satisfying ending. If you can find it. I believe in you.

But otherwise, Butter Side Down is a rather small experience. I had it completed in about 80 minutes. On the other hand, there are 59 achievements to unlock. On top of digging out little tidbits from the crevices, you also get a series of different endings depending on how you answer the questions. It can keep you going for a really long time, if you’re into it.

It winds up being an enjoyable experience while it lasts. Butter Side Down is an interesting little experiment with an inventive edge. There’s a certain curiosity behind its design that feels inventive. It might not rock your world, but it may make your afternoon. Just don’t quit your day job.

7/10

This review was conducted using a pre-release digital version of the game. It was provided by the developer.