Psychological Thriller The Empty Desk Launches on PS5 and Xbox Series
Publisher JanduSoft and developer CheesecakeGames release The Empty Desk, the first chapter of the Detective Bennett: Solved Cases saga. The Empty Desk psychological thriller follows veteran homicide detective Thomas H. Bennett, just one week away from retirement. He faces one final unsettling case that could change him forever. The mysterious death of tycoon Arthur Blackthorn and the disappearance of his daughter Emily become his last investigation. What begins as a routine case soon turns into a surreal descent through twisting corridors. Time, space, and sanity collapse within the offices of Blackthorn & Co. The game tackles themes of mental health, emotional burnout, and workplace alienation through Bennett’s experiences.
Gameplay and Features
The game immerses players in a true crime story while exploring the effects of a mind trapped in a cycle of repetition. Every hallway and every turn in the office hides another nightmare waiting to be discovered. Players use detective intuition to examine scenes, uncover clues, and reconstruct events without fear of getting stuck. The environment changes and distorts as reality bends throughout the experience.
The developer has disclosed their LLM Generative AI usage on the Steam store page. Optional voiceovers, localization, and minor 2D elements used AI assistance during development. However, all core creative content including story, game and level design, original music, sounds, VFX, and 3D assets were made by professional human artists. The studio added professional Italian dub to the game as well.
A Narrative Adventure with Horror Elements
The game blends narrative adventure elements with unsettling details and hints of horror. Detective Bennett’s final case promises a psychological thriller experience for players. The changing, disorienting environment of Blackthorn & Co’s offices reveals new threats and secrets with every step. Professional human artists remain essential and irreplaceable in bringing the video game to life according to the developer.
The Empty Desk serves as the first chapter of the Detective Bennett: Solved Cases saga. Players join a veteran homicide detective on his final case before retirement. Dark secrets hide in a world where reality bends and sanity wavers. The game is available now on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles.
