How To Walk Out The Door

About How To Walk Out The Door

How To Walk Out The Door is an indie narrative game developed by Amptomp for the 20 Second Game Jam 2025. It launched on web browsers as a single-player experience, clocking in at just 20 seconds of gameplay. The game tells a poignant, minimalist story about the act of leaving a door, framed as both a literal and metaphorical moment. With no combat, puzzles, or exploration, its strength lies in its emotional brevity. It’s the kind of game you play once, then think about long after. Perfect if you want a story that fits in a single breath.

Gameplay

The game tasks you with closing a door, a simple action that becomes oddly weighty. You control a stick-figure character using basic keyboard inputs to move toward and shut the door. The screen is sparse, with minimal visual cues but ambient sounds and subtle animations. The challenge isn’t mechanical but emotional: the tension comes from the story’s context, which is hinted at through sparse text and tone. Each session lasts under a minute, ending with the door clicking shut. Replay value is low, but the impact lingers.

What Players Think

PlayPile community ratings average 4.3/5, with 78% of players completing the game in under 45 seconds. Average playtime is 32 seconds, and 92% of sessions finish on the first try. The top mood tags are “thoughtful” (68%) and “emotional” (54%). One user wrote, “It made me pause for five minutes. Amazing how much meaning in 20 seconds.” Critics on external sites gave it a 7.9/10, praising its “deliberate minimalism” but noting its niche appeal. Completion rate is 94%, players either finish it quickly or abandon it mid-action.

PlayPile's Take

This isn’t a game for everyone. If you crave depth over duration, it’s a $0.99 micro-story worth trying. The lack of achievements (only one unlockable “Door Closed” trophy) means no grind, just a quick, quiet moment. Best for fans of experimental narrative design or anyone needing a 30-second emotional reset. Skip if you prefer games that fill hours, this one fills silence.

Storyline

It's a story about how to walk out the door.