As anyone who has been following the channel for quite some time should be well aware, when it comes to puzzle games there probably is no variety I despise as much as box pushers. It isn’t that they’re inherently bad, in fact I’ve seen some titles in the space that have really pushed me with smart ideas and variations that have helped them to stand out. The problem is more that historically there have simply been so many of them, and too many have simply been happy to change up the theming, do nothing new or interesting, charge a budget price, and call it a day.

While Hazard Pay, at its core, may in fact be a box pusher, I do at least respect the fact that it’s pretty morbid, introduces just enough rules to layer on greater challenge, and simply goes to some pains to distinguish itself from its competition. In the game you’ll be acting as a lone member of a hazardous materials clean-up crew, tasked with clearing a series of rooms and facilities of any messes that may have been left behind. Where things get more interesting is when you’ll quickly stumble into the odd dead body, or perhaps a live one, and be forced to decide whether this isn’t the game for you, or it’s precisely the sort of thing you’re looking for, moral ambiguity and all.

What’s great is that complications like blood that has a tendency to get spread around will make you very carefully consider your every move. Just when you think you’ve got it all worked out you may find yourself pinned into a corner, or accidentally dive into a vat of acid that didn’t have a lid put on it first. Then throw elements that felt a lot like Serial Cleaner, working to cover up some sketchy stuff, and there’s an added degree of intrigue and fun to be applied on top of the challenges. It won’t likely be for everyone by any means, but it’s a nice change of pace that’s well put together.