A free RPG about job-hunting
Job Hunter 202X is a free role-playing video game wherein you must look for a new job. Developed by BubblyOasis, this 2D JRPG-style indie game was made using RPG Maker MZ and features a wacky but serious theme about trying your very best.
Made for the “Low Effort Game Jam 13” contest, Job Hunter 202X offers solid but slightly confusing gameplay wherein you go around doing quests, battling monsters, and take action as you would when facing a job interview. Tread carefully, however, as the game has depictions of anxiety and depression.
Just push through and try again
In the world of Job Hunter 202X, you play as a downtrodden writer who had sadly lost their job in the midst of the pandemic of 202X. Now your goal is to find a new job before you either run out of funds or pass out from the sheer exhaustion of sending resumes and doing interviews. It’s not as easy as it sounds, though, so you must keep trying.
The main issue you’ll encounter with this game is that it doesn’t explain most of the mechanics clearly due to the lack of a proper tutorial. The controls are easy enough to grasp and you can always just use your mouse to interact with the interface. The combat system, however, feels random as some Skills deal high damage but don’t defeat enemies while a normal attack can easily end them.
Additionally, some of the features feel unoptimized—like the email system and how cluttered your collection can get after a while. The day and night cycle is far too fast, as well. However, gameplay issues aside, the game cleverly applies the concept of job-hunting into an RPG setting, with magical creatures as your personified hurdles in this process. The flavor text of the battles reflects this, as well.
Needs some tweaking
All in all, Job Hunter 202X is an interesting little indie RPG to try out. While it doesn’t feel fully optimized for its genre, the overall execution is well-designed and can even be improved upon with just a few adjustments. This is a highly recommended game for those people job-hunting themselves and those who are just looking for an odd RPG Maker game.
