Comedy simulation game

Gotta Go is an indie video game developed by Dire Nerds Studios. It offers a simulation of a universally relatable situation: the need to go to the bathroom. However, your chatty co-workers get in the way with their blathering.

Gotta Go mixes arcade-style gameplay with lighthearted campy humor. It also offers an original concept, writing, music, and art in the style of Office Space, Dilbert, and other satirical comedies. More than that, it also boasts iconographic characters in a 3D isometric map. However, despite its varied modes, the game feels repetitive and can be boring in the long run. 

Go to the bathroom

As the title implies, the goal of Gotta Go is getting your character in the bathroom before you embarrass yourself in front of everyone. However, you only have a vague idea of where the bathroom is. Not only that, but the office also looks like a maze that needs navigating. What makes the game more challenging are your chatty co-workers who will stop you with their inane blathering.

Players will need to keep an eye on the Gastric Gauge, which serves as a reminder of their impending needs. Once it fills up, your game ends with you soiling your pants with poop. There is also the Shame-o-Meter, which displays how much attention your character gets on his journey to the porcelain sanctuary. This meter indicates how close the human resources department is to firing you.

Avoiding your co-worker is the first line of defense. If you fail to do so, you can use any of the rude dismissals to avoid conversation. You can also use actions that can delay the unthinkable, including farting. Note, however, that using them will rack up shame on the Shame-o-Meter. Don’t worry, though. There are powerups that can calm your guts or repair your damaged reputation.

Soiled by repetition

Overall, Gotta Go is a funny game that casual players can enjoy. It has simple gameplay made challenging by the mounting pressure and the clicking time. That said, the fun does not last long. Over time, players will find the game overly simplistic and repetitive. Sure, there are game modes available, but they only make the Gastric Gauge fill up faster.