Human Fall Flat

We all love a good quirky game. Something where the appeal is the uniqueness of its characters or the bizarre nature of the game play, like QWOP, that game where you had to control the athlete’s limbs using letters on your keyboard. Remember that? Nightmarish. Human Fall Flat offers a similar kind of experience, only less infuriating. With a flimsy humanoid protagonist aptly named Bob and a host of intriguing puzzles and levels, Human Fall Flat is likely to appeal to those who like a bit of playfulness injected into their video game experience. The question is, does it fall flat on its face?

The short answer is no. There are enough puzzles and different environments throughout the game to keep your interest levels peaked, that is if you enjoy puzzle-based video games, of course. Some may be put off by the game’s controls. They’re deliberately tricky to work with, as not only is it part of the game’s programming to make the puzzles so difficult to complete, but it also adds to the game’s comedy factor. It’s charming slapstick nature is what makes it so endearing to begin with and is one of its best features. It’s extra fun when playing with a friend or family member and watching them mess up a jump or a pull-up, a function that would otherwise be easy if not for the clumsiness of the controls.

What I really like about Human Fall Flat is that it is aware that Bob’s knack for falling off cliffs and accidental suicide can be a bit frustrating, given how often it happens. Usually the respawn time in some games can really put me off (hello, falling off Rainbow Road in literally any Mariokart game), but the developers found a way to beat this. As every level in the game takes place in a floating island, once you fall off you immediately fall back onto the island from above. Its an instant respawn, which makes the game all the more addictive and much more convenient to play.

I’ll be honest, I’m very hit or miss when it comes to games based around puzzles. I love the Legend of Zelda games, but when it comes to some of the trickier dungeons, I groan, sigh and inevitably do a Google search for the walkthrough. Human Fall Flat doesn’t quite reach this level of puzzle tedium; a lot of puzzles are pretty basic, easy enough for the average video game player or those of us who have grown up with them. Move a block to progress, or even fling yourself across the map using a catapult (which is also a lot of fun to play around with).

The odd couple did make me consider switching off the game and heading outside, but I realised I wasn’t kidding anyone and powered through. As the game has a linear level design, all the puzzles have to be solved in sequence, so if you want to progress you have to grit your teeth and get through some of the tougher stuff. A recent addition to the game is the availability of an online multiplayer option, where you and seven other brave souls can navigate the world of Bob and laugh at each other when you fall off the world by simply trying to walk.

The Bottom Line

All in all, there’s a lot to like about this game. Yes, there’s the odd element that makes it a little bit off-putting, such as the dodgy controls and the repetitive nature, but they’re part of the package. Human Fall Flat doesn’t promise anything it can’t deliver and it doesn’t try and hide what it is. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it’s always worth a laugh when you’ve got friends round. It’s a world worth taking a trip to.

Pros:

• Puzzles are genuinely inventive and some quite challenging
• The interface and aesthetic is very inviting
• Multiplayer friendly
• It’s lots of fun

Cons:

• The repetitive nature of the game might not swing it for some
• The controls are tricky enough that it may put some players off

8/10