Middle Manager of Justice is a simulation video game for iOS and Android developed and published by Double Fine Productions. The iOS version was accidentally released in all territories on September 5, 2012, but was quickly pulled. That build was later branded beta, with the final release planned for later that year.[4] The final release of the iOS version occurred on December 3, 2012 in Canada.[2] The worldwide release of the iOS version occurred ten days later on December 13, 2012.[1] The Android version was released on August 14, 2013.[3]
| Middle Manager of Justice | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Double Fine Productions |
| Publisher(s) | Double Fine Productions |
| Director(s) | Kee Chi[4] |
| Platform(s) | iOS, Android |
| Release | iOS Android
|
| Genre(s) | Simulation, role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editMiddle Manager of Justice is a free-to-play simulation where the player controls a middle manager who is in charge of hiring, training, and housing a group of superheroes. There are several unique heroes available to purchase and train. The player must manage their health, morale and training, the latter of which increases their power and allows them to go out in the field and fight in role-playing style battles. Money earned by keeping districts of the city safe can be invested in buying better equipment for the heroes and upgrading the base's facilities.[5]
Development
editMiddle Manager of Justice began as part of Double Fine's "Amnesia Fortnight" brainstorming sessions where the senior staff came up with an idea and led a small team to create prototypes of those game ideas.[6] The final game is part of a three-game deal with Dracogen.[7]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | 71/100[12] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Game Informer | 6/10[11] |
| Pocket Gamer |   [8] |
| TouchArcade |  [10] |
| VentureBeat | 40/100[9] |
Middle Manager of Justice received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
Game Informer gave the game six out of ten, writing, "The big problem with Middle Manager is that it feels hands-off, but still demands your attention", while praising its charming presentation. Pocket Gamer reviewed the game more positively, describing the title as "...an enjoyably simple management sim that threads its theme and humour through every part of itself, Middle Manager of Justice is well worth your time." VentureBeat panned the game, writing, "playing feels like walking a treadmill on the slowest speed with the best option being to just buckle down and pay for gastrointestinal surgery". TouchArcade similarly wrote that while Middle Manager of Justice managed to mitigate the flaws in the freemium genre, it was unable to eliminate them.
References
edit- ^ a b "Middle Manager Now Out Worldwide". The International House of Mojo. December 13, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
- ^ a b "Middle Manager of Justice Out on iTunes in Canada". The International House of Mojo. December 4, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2012.
- ^ a b "Justice is Now Managed on Android Devices As Well". The International House of Mojo. August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- ^ a b "Double Fine Blooper Becomes Middle Manager of Justice Beta". The Escapist. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on March 10, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "Double Fine's Next Game Is For iOS and It's All About Superheroes". Kotaku. August 30, 2012. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ "Oh No! More Mojo Tidbits". The International House of Mojo. November 10, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
- ^ "Double Fine Reveals Free to Play iOS Game". MTV. August 30, 2012. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2012.
- ^ Slater, Harry (December 14, 2012). "Middle Manager of Justice". Pocket Gamer. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Savillo, Rob (December 17, 2012). "Middle Manager of Justice is all business, no gameplay (review)". VentureBeat. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Eklund, Tof (December 21, 2012). "'Middle Manager of Justice' Review – Somewhere Between Good and Free-to-Play". TouchArcade. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 19, 2012). "Middle Manager of Justice Review - Surprise! Being A Middle Manager Is Dull". Game Informer. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
- ^ "Middle Manager of Justice for iPhone/iPad Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved January 1, 2022.
