Inhuman Resources: A Literary Machination is an indie RPG adventure game built around a choose-your-own-adventure horror narrative set inside a dystopian corporation. Players navigate a post-truth world dominated by SMYRNACORP, making decisions that shape a non-linear story filled with cryptic riddles and moral compromises.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on reading passages of text and selecting from branching options that determine the direction of events. Choices affect relationships with coworkers and supervisors, while interactive puzzles require solving riddles or completing tasks such as altering records and accessing restricted areas. RPG elements allow players to build an employee profile by raising skills and collecting hidden items that unlock additional paths through the story. These systems encourage repeated playthroughs to explore different outcomes without relying on combat or real-time action.
Progression feels tied to survival within the company structure. Actions like gathering confidential information or bypassing security measures help meet performance expectations while revealing layers of the corporation's secrets. The experience stays focused on decision-making and consequence rather than open exploration or resource management typical of broader RPG titles.
Game Modes
The game operates as a single-player narrative experience with extensive branching paths. Hundreds of story routes lead to multiple distinct endings, supported by the ability to adjust skills and locate items that open secret sequences. No separate competitive or cooperative modes exist; the structure emphasizes personal replayability through different choice combinations and puzzle solutions.
Localization supports both English and French text, allowing players to experience the full range of routes in either language. A collection of short stories expands the setting but remains separate from the main interactive narrative.
Story and Setting
The plot unfolds inside an anachronistic corporation where everyday office tasks intersect with unsettling conspiracies. Players encounter demented colleagues and demanding supervisors while uncovering hidden evils. The narrative blends horror with corporate satire, using difficult choices to explore themes of compliance and personal cost in a post-truth environment.
Non-linear storytelling rewards careful attention to details across play sessions. Each route builds on prior decisions, creating a sense of continuity even when starting fresh with new skill builds or item discoveries.
Is It Worth Playing?
Reception highlights strong writing and the satisfaction of uncovering varied endings through repeated play. Reviewers note the game delivers a focused horror experience for those who enjoy text-driven adventures and interactive fiction. The short length suits players seeking a complete story without long commitments, while the branching structure provides value for completionists who want to map out all routes.
This title fits best for audiences interested in narrative RPGs and choose-your-own-adventure formats rather than action-heavy or multiplayer games. Availability on PC supports straightforward access, and the combination of puzzles with skill progression adds depth without complicating the core reading experience. Those drawn to dystopian corporate themes and moral decision-making will find the most engagement here.
