Bench Simulator Review

As a reviewer, I consider myself lucky to play some weird and wonderful games. Some can be considered GOTY material, while others are utter rubbish. Today, I’m looking at Bench Simulator! I’ll let you take a guess at which category it’s likely to sit in. Sadly, it won’t be taking the crown for the best game of 2026, but I don’t think it is utterly appalling either. So, does a game about a bench set the “bench-mark” for simulation titles? Sit back, relax, and let me tell you all about it.

Kanuni Games has developed this weird simulation experience. It is an odd visual novel title that demands an eye for detail and an empathetic mindset. Furthermore, it is single-player, and it takes around 2 hours to complete. The action is remarkably slow, but the quicker you read, the sooner you get to the conclusion.

Bench Simulator and the life of a bench.

Inanimate objects don’t really fascinate me. Accordingly, I haven’t spent any time considering the number of people who waste hours while sitting on a bench. However, if this thought has crossed your mind, you can see a snippet of a bench’s life in this thoughtful simulation experience.

You play the role of a bench that is sat beside a beautiful beach. It is the perfect location for people to relax, talk, and rest. Sadly, the bench only has 6 days before it breaks and is demolished. During this time, the bench must help those who sit upon it. Revealing messages, creaking slowly, shifting and bouncing, and using silence to help everyone complete their thought process. Although the idea is simple, there are some nice, thoughtful moments.

Watch the world go by.

Unsurprisingly, the life of a bench isn’t the most thrilling thing. You can’t get up and walk around, nor can you steal a car and pull off a heist. Instead, you must be there for the people who wish to tell you their stories. Couples on the edge of breakups, an old man who is lonely, and a rough sleeper are some of the visitors you must help.

As each conversation passes, you choose how to react. Do you sit in silence and allow the person or people to think for themselves? Alternatively, do you somehow make leaves fall or rain to begin. There are other minor tasks to complete, but it is your timing and what you feel is best that drives the narrative forward. In many ways it is simple, but I like the flow of the story despite Bench Simulator’s ridiculous nature.

Bench Simulator looks horrible.

The developer claims that this is a 120 FPS title. I have no idea why you need this to run at that rate, especially when that is the least of their concerns. The game looks absolutely horrible! The characters all appear like they’ve escaped the local burns unit. Additionally, they walk into the bench, fall through the sand, and clip the surrounding walls. In short, it’s a mess. Thankfully, the audio is a million times better. I like the music and the excellent ambient sounds. The soundtrack is serene, understated, and great to listen to.

If you thought that the life of a bench would be complex, there is something wrong with you! The control system reflects the simplicity, as you simply press the A button to react correctly. Other than that, there is nothing else to do. Replay value is restricted to a handful of achievements. If you don’t care about improving your Gamerscore, you’ll finish this in around 2 hours. Completionists will need about 6 to play with each unique element. Either way, it is short, and there are few reasons to return.

Bench Simulator isn’t great.

Bench Simulator was better than I thought it would be. However, I finished it and wanted the few hours of my life back. It is one of those games that sadly delivers 100% of what is promised. It does a nice job in some aspects, but it is utterly terrible in most. The plot is interesting, but it is a little cliched and you lose interest quickly. Furthermore, the visual problems, ugly character models, and disappointing gameplay prevent this from being more than just a joke game. Accordingly, I don’t recommend it, but more information can be found at the Xbox Store!