Human: Fall Flat

505 Games, Curve Digital, Curve Games (2016)

Description

Human: Fall Flat is a puzzle-platform video game developed by the Lithuanian studio No Brakes Games and published by Curve Games. Initially released in July 2016 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, its popularity led to ports for numerous consoles and mobile devices in the following years. The game is the creation of a single developer, Tomas Sakalauskas, who ventured into PC game development after leaving his IT career. The core of Human: Fall Flat lies in its unique physics-based gameplay. Players control a customizable, featureless character named Bob, who navigates surreal, floating dreamscapes. Bob's movements are intentionally wobbly and exaggerated, leading to humorous and often unpredictable interactions with the game world. The controls are a central element of the experience; players must master Bob's clumsy limbs to grab objects, climb ledges, and solve a variety of physics-based puzzles. Each of Bob's arms is controlled independently, requiring players to carefully coordinate their actions to manipulate objects and traverse the environment. The game's levels are open-ended, offering multiple solutions to each puzzle and rewarding player creativity and exploration. These dreamscapes range in theme from mansions and castles to industrial locations and snowy mountains. The puzzles themselves are designed to be playful and encourage experimentation. For instance, a player might need to use a catapult to launch a boulder, break down a wall, or construct a makeshift bridge to cross a gap. While the game can be played solo, it also features a robust online multiplayer mode for up to eight players. This cooperative mode often transforms the gameplay, as players can work together to solve puzzles in new and comical ways. Initially, Sakalauskas released a prototype of the game on Itch.io, where it gained traction among streamers, prompting its official release on Steam. The introduction of online multiplayer in late 2017 significantly boosted the game's sales. As of December 2023, Human: Fall Flat has sold over 50 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. The game has received a steady stream of free new levels, keeping its community engaged. Furthermore, the Steam version includes the Human: Fall Flat Workshop, a tool that allows players to create and share their own levels, adding to the game's longevity. The reception for Human: Fall Flat has been generally positive, with reviewers often praising its replayability and comedic animations. The slapstick nature of the physics and the freedom to find creative solutions to puzzles are frequently highlighted as its strengths. However, the intentionally challenging controls have been a point of contention, with some finding them frustrating. Despite this, the game's charm and the sheer fun of its wobbly mechanics have resonated with a large audience, turning it into a significant commercial success. A sequel, Human: Fall Flat 2, has been announced and is currently in development.