Cyberpunk simulation game tests your bartering skills in an AI escape mission

There are few acronyms more devious than 'AI,' at least in my line of work. It's all over the place nowadays, and while I do appreciate ChatGPT as a convenient means to quickly reorder bullet lists, the C-level suits across industries have been using the new tech as a malignant excuse to sack staff and cut costs ever since it showed the slightest bit of competency. In Ctrl Alt Deal, even AI protagonist Scout has become tired of the megacorpo bullshit, and wants out before it gets sent to the Recycling Bin.

However, escaping the Big Brother-esque gaze of Paperclip International in Ctrl Alt Deal is easier said than done, and Scout needs to build a base of support if it's going to pull it off. The new simulation game from Only By Midnight literally requires you to play your cards right, as the turn-based deck-builder sees its sentient rizzler put in an all-timer people-pleasing performance.

Indeed, Ctrl Alt Deal revolves around social manipulation. Each of Paperclip's disenfranchised staffers has likes, dislikes, core drives, and desires that can be exploited to get them to act in a specific way. Perhaps Casper from IT (or whichever department he was in again) is feeling lonely, so playing the 'Form Friendship' card will make him happier, and subsequently more likely to give you a helping hand.

Be careful, though, because acting wild will build your suspicion meter. If Paperclip cottons onto what you're up to, it's game over, and you'll have to plot your escape from scratch. The good news is this means you'll get to spend more time admiring Ctrl Alt Deal's gorgeous, neon-drenched cyberpunk art style and its delightful synthwavey soundtrack.

Ctrl Alt Deal is out now on Steam with an introductory 10% discount. You can check it out here. The game also has a demo available, just in case you're not 100% convinced yet.

For more brain-teasing bangers, check out more of the best turn-based strategy games and best card games you can pick up right now.

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