There’s something oddly satisfying about packaging up a parcel. Even more so when it’s done from the safety of your very own secure little warehouse room… with a cat in a funny hat. But throw in a few shadowy figures lurking in the aisles, some disturbing body parts dangling from the ceiling, and a hulking monster stalking you through the stockrooms, and that satisfaction quickly turns to sweaty-palmed panic. Welcome to Order 13 — a strange, scrappy, surprisingly gripping horror-meets-work-sim from Cybernetic Walrus, published by Oro Interactive.
Having heard plenty about how soul-destroying working in an Amazon warehouse can be, I wasn’t expecting a game that mimics the experience to hook me. But Order 13 has a strange way of pulling you in — part grindy warehouse sim, part survival horror, part cat-raising life sim, all delivered with a janky charm that somehow just works.
Pallets, parcels, and paranoia
You start off in a small locked room. It’s your home, your office, your break room. You’ve got a bed to sleep in, a terminal to print off orders, and a cat. Not just any cat — your only friend in this bleak workplace hellscape. Mine was named Max, after my own ginger boy who passed away. You can customise your feline companion, too, complete with hats, bunny ears, and an unhealthy dependency on your love and attention.
Each day kicks off with your standard warehouse routine. Print the order. Locate the item. Head into the aisles. Punch in the access code to open the cage. Grab the item. Pad it out. Tape it up. Print the label. Ship it. Clockwork. That’s the loop. It’s simple. Repetitive. But it becomes almost hypnotic — until it isn’t.
Packing with purpose (and paranoia)
You get paid each time you send a package — but only after you’ve slept. Use the cash to upgrade your gear, buy essentials like flashlights and barcode scanners, and stock up on food or toys for your cat. You’ll need those, because your furry friend is the only thing keeping you alive.
The cat’s happiness is your lifeline. Leave the safety of your little home, and their mood begins to drop. Run out completely, and it’s game over. Feeding, petting, and upgrading your cat’s living conditions extends your time outside — and adds this strange emotional tether to your entire shift. I was running warehouse operations purely to buy food and a better cat bed. And honestly? That feels about right.
Welcome to Warehouse Hell
Of course, Order 13 is not just about barcode scanners and running shoes. There’s something very wrong with this place. The deeper you go into the warehouse — through WH1, WH2, WH3, and eventually down into Basement 1 and beyond — the more you start to notice… things. Creeping shadows. Mutated shapes. A towering monstrosity that looks like someone mashed Sloth from The Goonies with Slenderman and forgot to apply any smoothing filters.
The horror element creeps up on you. At first, it’s subtle — odd noises, flickering lights, a misplaced item. Then you’re dodging abominations and sprinting back to your safe room, hoping your cat’s still purring when you get there. And while the visuals aren’t going to blow anyone away, there’s something about the lo-fi aesthetic that just makes the scares hit harder. The rough edges amplify the weirdness.
Work smarter, not harder
Order 13 is not a hard game — and once you’ve upgraded your scanner and shoes, most of the tension comes from navigating tight aisles while being chased by warehouse horrors. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. There’s satisfaction in the loop. The progression system, while simple, keeps things ticking over. Unlocking better areas like Basement 1 early on is key — it’s closer, it’s more rewarding, and it helps you break free from the slog quicker.
But there’s room for refinement in Order 13. The cage puzzles become redundant after a few upgrades. Daily targets don’t really incentivise pushing yourself beyond the bare minimum. And while there’s a creepy atmosphere, the scares become less impactful once you’ve seen the same monstrosity five times in a row. A roguelike element — with shifting warehouse layouts or different hazards each day — could really spice things up.
Also… the audio. It’s out of sync. Not game-breaking, but noticeable. Tape a box, then hear the tape. Print a label, then hear the whir. It’s the kind of polish that would elevate the whole experience just that little bit more.
Final thoughts on Order 13
Order 13 isn’t a perfect game, but it’s a memorable one. It’s weird, it’s bleak, and it’s oddly heartwarming in its own twisted way. You’ll come for the haunted warehouse chaos, but you’ll stay for the cat.
There’s something inherently rewarding about a game that mixes mundane labour with looming dread — like if Papers, Please had you hiding from monsters instead of border officials. It could use more polish, sure. Maybe an induction video. A little lore. But what’s here is a solid, strange little package, and I’m glad I played it.
Order 13 was developed by Cybernetic Walrus and published by Oro Interactive. The game will be available to purchase on Steam from March 10th, 2025. Find more info on Order 13 on its Itch.io page. And, if you want to check out more of our game reviews, click right here.
