There’s something inherently unsettling about an empty office. The hum of lights, the silence where people should be, the feeling that something isn’t quite right. The Empty Desk takes that discomfort, turning a familiar workplace into the setting for a slow-burning psychological thriller.
Now available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC (with Play Anywhere support) for £8.79, this narrative-driven experience from Cheesecake Games and JanduSoft invites players to step into the worn shoes of a detective who should probably have retired already.
At A Glance
- Game: The Empty Desk
- Developer: Cheesecake Games
- Publisher: JanduSoft
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC, Play Anywhere
- Price: £8.79
- Game Type: Narrative Adventure / Psychological Thriller
One Last Case… Or One Step Too Far?
Detective Thomas H. Bennett is just a week away from retirement when The Empty Desk begins. It should be a routine final stretch – one last case to close the book on a long career. Instead, he finds himself pulled into something far stranger.
The investigation centres on the death of tycoon Arthur Blackthorn and the disappearance of his daughter, Emily. What starts as a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more surreal, as Bennett explores the offices of Blackthorn & Co; a place where reality doesn’t quite behave as it should.
Corridors twist, rooms shift, and the line between what’s real and what isn’t begins to blur.
A World That Won’t Sit Still
The setting does much of the heavy lifting. The office environment evolves as you explore, creating a sense of unease that builds over time rather than relying on sudden shocks.
It’s a clever approach. Instead of throwing constant scares at the player, The Empty Desk leans into atmosphere, the quiet dread of not knowing what’s around the next corner, or whether that corridor you just walked down will still be the same on your return.
For those who prefer things a little less intense, there’s even the option to tailor the experience by adjusting or disabling scare elements.
Investigation With A Personal Edge
Gameplay focuses on exploration and deduction. You’ll examine scenes, piece together clues and reconstruct events, all while trying to stay grounded in a world that’s increasingly unstable.
But this isn’t just about solving a case. The Empty Desk also explores themes of burnout, mental health and the toll of years spent chasing answers. Bennett’s journey feels as much internal as it does investigative, with the case acting as a mirror to his own state of mind.
And clocking in at around 2.5 to 3.5 hours, The Empty Desk is designed to be a complete, contained experience. As the first chapter in the Detective Bennett: Solved Cases series, it also lays the groundwork for what could become a broader anthology of stories.
Not Every Desk Should Be Filled
The Empty Desk isn’t about action or spectacle. It’s about atmosphere, introspection and the slow unraveling of both a case and a character. For players who enjoy narrative-driven experiences with a psychological edge, this is one worth checking out. Just don’t expect to feel entirely comfortable while you’re there.
If you want to take a seat at The Empty Desk, head on over to the usual digital stores. You’ll find the game on Xbox and PC through the Xbox Store, and on PlayStation 5 via the PlayStation Store.
Our review is on the way.
