Sometimes, you just want to smash up an empty office with a sledgehammer. Perfect Vermin scratches that itch initially, but the longer you play, the more bizarre and horrific it gets. I’ve played plenty of first-person games before, but the unique way this one evolves with each iteration of the same level had me feeling nauseous for more reasons than just motion sickness. I appreciate its innovation, but I probably wouldn’t have played it if it wasn’t free and short.

If anything, the short length of this game is one of its saving graces. I don’t know if I could play it for much longer than the main story. I’m sure those who don’t suffer from motion sickness like I occasionally do won’t have an issue with this game, but the combined aspects of the first-person controls and the rush of the ticking clock combined in a way that made it uncomfortable for me to play for very long. I was so focused on playing that I became nauseous from the camera whipping around so much as I frantically searched the office for the last enemy to destroy.

Despite this, I think I would still recommend people give this game a try. After all, it is short, but its creative ways of re-imagining the same space and goals for the level were what kept me playing through my nausea, just to see what new idea would be next. And it’s not like the horror is too bad considering the graphics are equitable to the 64-bit era of video games. Still, if you’re looking for something interesting to kill 30 minutes (and not 30 dollars), this at least has the cathartic ability to smash up an office with a sledgehammer.

A unique first-person hide and seek game with some issues for people with motion sickness, I give Perfect Vermin 3.5 stars out of 5.