The Professional
Review

The Professional (2022) is a traversal game where you attempt to steal a diamond from the museum with a wacky twist: you control each of your character's limbs individually. This makes even the simple goal of moving forward a challenging (and hilarious) task. It balances QWOP-like movement with a seemingly insurmountable, yet still possible, mission.

You play a robber who must infiltrate the security systems and reach the priceless diamond and escape with it, and start in a standing position behind the three obstacles you must overcome: a small wooden box, three lasers, and a small flight of stairs.

While at first glance it seems like it's a trivial ask, once you begin moving, the inherent challenge becomes apparent. Your character controls like a showroom mannequin; you can move each of his limbs and joints but only one at a time while the rest of his body remains stiff. As soon as you move one thing, he becomes unbalanced and falls to the floor, and you need to manipulate the limbs such that you can slowly creep forward and make it past each obstacle (and get back with the diamond).

The result is a game that revels in the ridiculous nature of its controls, requiring patience and determination while retaining a sense of childlike fun and antics that sets it apart.

Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked The Professional 11 months ago. It was re-examined by Jo Robertson and updated 5 months ago.