In addition to the game’s eclectic weapons, we later learn that the monsters are the ghosts of failed startups from the past. Each startup represents a level with its own characters and backgrounds, populated with overly caffeinated and handy bosses who “fall trust” on you as a last move. From Joblin, a gig-work startup similar to Fiverr or TaskRabbit, to Styxxcoin, a crypto-mining startup, we’re getting an all-too-recognizable taste of a new dot-com bubble burst, a fate that’s constantly teased as being dangerous. close by for Fizzle employees.
The levels are filled with hidden gems and “inside jokes” for those familiar with the endless contradictions of corporate culture – real or gamified. It becomes a small, dark delight to explore the remnants of startups that were indeed big enough to fail, haunted by employees who still wander the halls of their old hothouse.
One of the most important mechanisms established early on is the ability to build relationships with your colleagues. We meet Kara, the jaded programmer who is generally averse to Big Tech, who warns us of the evils that lie ahead in the game. Swomp, a barista and token office Chad, intends to call you a variation of the word “babe.” We get a glimpse of the mad scientist at Fizzle’s innovation core, whose relentless pursuit of discovering the next big flavor is all he has on his mind.
Throughout the game, Jackie takes on a passive role as an exploited, hapless employee stuck at the job that keeps the company going that no one has wanted to do for years, all above her pay grade of zero. From solving common workplace problems to finding a solution to the startup founder’s debt problems, Jackie, from the position of least influence, is consistently asked to do the most.
We come to sympathize with her expendability and the lack of value placed on her role despite the work she does – an unfortunate by-product of the “big scheme of things” that we only have so much power to change. To make matters worse, the few moments we see her outside of work are spent in her room, experiencing nightmares of her alt-girlboss self having to kill monsters. Unpaid overtime, even in her subconscious.
As you play, you’ll also gain sympathy for the mentors Jackie develops relationships with, colleagues all too familiar with the realities of working in a messy startup space. ‘Crunch’ for example, the mandatory overtime that everyone seems to encounter frequently in their time at Fizzle, is terrible, but everyone has decided to stay, for better or for worse. More than just quirky characters, the rotating cast of mentors makes for a shaky solidarity that’s reflected in real-world tech jobs. Her mentors mention the problems they see and recognize Jackie’s experiences, but like real mentors, they often can’t help her directly and need help themselves. Still, everyone is doing their best.
During battles, the mentors impart knowledge and help you unlock essential combat skills. While you start your adventure alone, you end with everyone’s support, a testament to the power of individuals uniting in a collective (read: union?). While a bit cheesy, this aspect of the game was comforting in times that were otherwise quite unsettling and in the face of particularly challenging boss encounters (combat and otherwise). It is also a reminder that even if the pipes burst, the headquarters will be completely flooded, and it is No outlook – let alone a positive one for Fizzle – you can always have a dance party.
