JOHN GLEEP has launched on Steam, putting players in charge of an alien whose business problems have escalated well beyond asking the bank for an extension. Developed by monthbug and published by offbrand games, the roguelike arrived on 11 November and is currently £7.99 on the UK store after a 20% launch discount.
The usual price is £9.99, and the offer is available for a limited period. The important part of the pitch, though, is that you are running a failing casino while trying to pay off a debt large enough to involve an entire galaxy.
John’s solution is to fly between planets and abduct customers. Those unwilling visitors then become part of the casino’s pachinko chaos, with the game splitting your attention between piloting a UFO and managing what is happening on the other side of the screen.
That is where the premise becomes more than a funny character name. You have to keep the business moving while dealing with attacks, gathering resources and handling distractions, rather than getting to solve one problem neatly before the next one arrives.
Upgrades come through gadgets, casino pegs and permanent improvements unlocked across attempts. Different combinations change the way a run develops, while failure to meet the debt gives you another reason to return with a slightly less catastrophic plan.
The story also makes space for John’s failed marriage and family responsibilities, alongside side activities such as Binko Racing. It is an oddly crowded to-do list for somebody who has already decided that involuntary customer acquisition is a reasonable commercial strategy.
The developer describes a single-player game, with the central hook built around juggling the two halves of its interface. Anyone drawn to unusual roguelike combinations can find the launch trailer and gameplay details on the official Steam page.
There are plenty of games about building a thriving business. This one starts with the business already in trouble, hands you a spaceship and appears to hope that you will not ask too many sensible questions. You can find the public details in the official announcement or store listing.