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A PC code was provided to GamingPizza for this review. Hell of an Office is available now on PC via Steam.
Hell of an Office is exactly what it sounds like: a game where office work takes place in the fiery depths of Hell. As the newest hire at HellO, a massive corporate entity in the underworld, you’re tasked with surviving a gauntlet of deadly, lava-filled obstacle courses while trying to escape a contract you never should have signed. Armed with nothing but a magical stapler (because of course), you’ll dash, jump, and grapple your way through countless levels. And let me tell you, this game is way more addictive than any real-life office job—minus the stapler.
It may sound ridiculous, but Hell of an Office knows exactly what it is: a speedrunning platformer that blends humor with fast-paced gameplay. And while it has its frustrating moments, I found myself stapling through levels again and again, eager to master every mechanic and beat my best times. The end result? A hellishly good platformer that balances fun with enough challenge to keep you hooked.
Staplers, Lava, and One Heck of a Commute
At its core, Hell of an Office is all about platforming. Each level is a parkour-style obstacle course where you need to reach the exit before the rising lava tide consumes you. What makes it interesting is that you use your magical stapler as your primary tool. This stapler allows you to air-dash, fire off explosive staples for rocket jumps, and even grapple onto objects like hangers. It’s simple but effective, and the game builds on these mechanics with each new set of levels.
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The gameplay is fast. Really fast. But it’s not just about speed—it’s about precision. Every jump, dash, and grapple needs to be timed perfectly to avoid falling into the lava below. In the early stages, its easy to get the hang of things pretty quickly, zipping through wind tunnels and bouncing off portals to reach the finish line. But as the game progresses, the difficulty ramps up, and you’ll have to start thinking more strategically about how to chain your movements together.
A Trip Down Nostalgia Lane (with a Dash of Lava)
Visually, Hell of an Office takes a step back from the hyper-realistic graphics many games strive for today, instead embracing a modern-yet-old-school aesthetic feel. At first, I thought this might make the game feel a bit dated, but honestly, it works in its favor. There’s something charming about the blocky office furniture, the featureless co-workers, and the lava-filled break rooms. It reminded me of older platformers where the visuals weren’t about looking cutting-edge but about complementing the gameplay.
The devilish office setting is quirky and fun, with just enough attention to detail to make each level feel unique without being distracting. The environments get progressively weirder and more challenging as you move through the various layers of Hell, each adding new mechanics to keep the gameplay fresh.
This nostalgic style might not be for everyone, but it adds a layer of humor to the game that fits perfectly with the theme. After all, it’s not every day you rocket-jump through Hell with a stapler in hand.
Addictively Frustrating (In the Best Way Possible)
One of the least surprising things about Hell of an Office is just how addictive it is. The fast-paced platforming combined with the rising lava creates a real sense of urgency, and I found myself constantly retrying levels to improve my times. There’s a Diamond Rank to chase in each level, and it’s safe to say that it’s no easy feat. But the feeling of satisfaction when you nail that perfect run is worth the frustration.
That said, the game isn’t without its challenges. Some of the later levels see a pretty big jump in difficulty which sometimes left me wondering if I’d ever get through. The later stages throw everything at you—tight platforming sections, multiple obstacles at once, and more—and it becomes less about mastering the mechanics and more about sheer willpower (and often luck) to survive.
Still, there’s something incredibly rewarding about figuring out a new movement technique or discovering a hidden shortcut that shaves precious seconds off your time. And if you’re into speedrunning, this game will likely consume your soul (pun intended).
Hellishly Fun
At $15, Hell of an Office is a steal. Considering the sheer number of levels (over 100!), the addictive replayability, and the ability to create and share custom levels through the Workshop, it offers incredible value for its price. The game also comes with a demo, so you can try it before you buy, which is a nice touch for anyone on the fence.
But even without the demo, I’d say it’s worth the investment. Whether you’re looking for a casual platformer to play through or a serious speedrunning challenge, Hell of an Office has something to offer. Plus, with the ability to create and download user-generated levels, the game’s lifespan goes far beyond its included levels.
Hell of an Office isn’t a perfect game, but it’s pretty darn close. The platforming is tight, the stapler mechanics are unique, and the humor is just enough to keep things light without getting annoying. Sure, the difficulty can be punishing at times, and the lack of clear shortcuts in some levels can make replaying them feel more repetitive than rewarding. But this is a masocore title, after all. The core gameplay is so strong that those moments of frustration are easily overshadowed by the satisfaction of nailing a perfect run.
If you’re a fan of platformers or speedrunning games, Hell of an Office is definitely worth your time. It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s filled with enough challenge to keep you coming back for more. For me, it’s an 8 out of 10—an office I’d happily clock into, even if it’s in Hell.
