You Have to Win the Game

About

"You Have to Win the Game" is a retro-style indie platformer. The player controls a cursor, navigating through a series of challenges and puzzles in an old computer system. With no jump button, players must use their wits and creativity to move through each level, collecting cassette tapes and avoiding obstacles. The game features a unique pixel art aesthetic and an electronic soundtrack.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

92%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,530 reviews

graphics118 positive mentions

story17 negative mentions

graphics
343 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
63%
3%
The graphics of "You Have to Win the Game" are a nostalgic homage to 1980s retro aesthetics, featuring charming pixel art and customizable options that evoke the look of classic CGA and EGA graphics. While many players appreciate the minimalist design and its ability to transport them back to the era of early PC gaming, some critique the visuals as overly simplistic or lacking in modern polish. Overall, the retro style resonates well with fans of vintage gaming, enhancing the platforming experience despite its limitations.
- “The retro graphics are charming.”
- “The developers have truly captured the essence of the 80s with their nostalgic graphics and retro sound effects.”
- “Looks wise, the graphics are a very lovely tribute to the cga era of pc gaming and the game genuinely looks like it could have been lovingly crafted in the 1980s.”
- “While its retro aesthetic may appeal to nostalgic gamers, its shortcomings prevent it from achieving true greatness.”
- “It's a shame in this case that the intentionally bad visuals are below the minimum standards a dedicated PC game should offer to enthusiasts.”
- “The graphics are primitive, but done well; it will satisfy everyone who loved the 8-bit NES games or DOS games.”
gameplay
233 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
4%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by its retro pixel art style and tight controls, offering a mix of challenging platforming and exploration reminiscent of classic titles. While some players appreciate the simplicity and addictive nature of the mechanics, others find the gameplay repetitive or lacking in innovation. Overall, it provides a satisfying experience for fans of the genre, though it may not appeal to those seeking more complex gameplay elements.
- “It's a fun little game with charming, old-school graphics and solid gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is undoubtedly smooth and very pleasing with no bugs whatsoever.”
- “The platforming puzzles in this game are absolutely top-notch; they challenge your timing, pixel-precision, and overall mechanical ability without being artificially difficult.”
- “Gameplay: the gameplay is as intuitive as quantum physics.”
- “And despite its attempts to capture the retro feel, the movement mechanics felt more clunky than classic.”
- “You will have to memorize levels as opposed to learning game mechanics, and it's very hard.”
music
167 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
71%
13%
The game's music aspect has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players noting the complete absence of background music, which detracts from the overall experience. While some appreciate the minimalist sound design and find it fitting for the game's atmosphere, the lack of a soundtrack is frequently cited as a significant drawback, leading to a sense of blandness and repetitiveness. Players often suggest using their own music to enhance gameplay, indicating that the absence of an in-game score is a missed opportunity for a more engaging experience.
- “The pixel art style and chiptune music take you back in time.”
- “This game is a really hard platformer but with good music.”
- “Good gameplay, dope music, old-school style is maintained well through the game.”
- “The absence of background music also contributes to the atmosphere, but in this instance, it just made the game feel sort of bland.”
- “The game has no music, so hearing the only three sound effects this game has to offer played over and over can get annoying at times - if not drive you insane.”
- “The lack of any soundtrack only adds to the emptiness, almost as if the developer was intentionally designing the experience to make you feel cold and alone.”
story
88 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
69%
19%
The game's story is largely non-existent, with many reviewers noting that it lacks a traditional plot or character development, which is typical of retro platformers. Despite this, some players found the minimalist approach to storytelling engaging, allowing them to create their own narratives through gameplay. Overall, while the absence of a substantial story may deter some, others appreciate the focus on gameplay and nostalgia over narrative depth.
- “It has a really cool throwback feel, whilst throwing in some new mechanics, and a great story, to boot.”
- “The whole story of the game doesn't make sense at first, but when you start getting 20% through the game, it starts making sense.”
- “To this very day, it is still a mystery, but I would give the game a 7.5 out of 10 for its awesome storyline, gameplay, checkpoints, and its classic 8-bit retro look.”
- “Unfortunately, both the gameplay and story were fairly bland, so I never finished it.”
- “The story is practically non-existent, once again emulating the old PC game style; the graphics are primitive; the controls are fluent and simple; yet what the graphics and plot lack are made up in the challenging and intuitive gameplay.”
- “There is no story as I can see and no explanation to what you do, and I find this horrible.”
replayability
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
45%
10%
Overall, the game exhibits a mixed but generally positive reception regarding replayability. Many players appreciate the variety of modes, challenges, and achievement hunting opportunities that enhance replay value, while some note that the game's short length limits its long-term appeal. Despite these limitations, several reviews highlight the fun and engaging nature of the gameplay, making it a worthwhile experience for those who enjoy platformers.
- “Even though this game doesn't have terribly much to offer, it is still quite a fun game with a lot of replayability whether it be through getting a faster time, fewer deaths, or beating extra spicy mode.”
- “Great old-school style platformer that has a lot of replay value, and leaves you always trying to get better.”
- “The game is polished, fun, and very replayable; there are six different ways to finish this game, all netting you achievements.”
- “The replay value isn't great, but it's a fun challenge!”
- “Replayability is limited, though.”
- “After the first playthrough, though, it becomes pretty easy since you know where everything is, so there isn't much replay value except to see if you can get a shorter time in getting 100%.”
humor
37 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
8%
The humor in the game is characterized by clever and often meme-inspired room titles, reminiscent of classic cartoons and retro games, which add a lighthearted touch to the gameplay. Players appreciate the mix of challenging mechanics with comedic elements, including funny achievements and unexpected surprises that enhance the overall experience. While some find the humor to be hit-or-miss, many agree that it contributes significantly to the game's charm and entertainment value.
- “Each screen has its own caption, usually a reference to some meme or joke, much akin to vvvvvv. Hilarious as those are, a few genuinely add some emotional flavor to the mix, so pay them attention as you explore.”
- “A metroidvania platformer built like an old home computer game with a sense of humor, great art, and fun gameplay.”
- “The game is not easy, but having 2 campaigns (original and spicy) and 3 humorous difficulty settings allows you to choose how much you want the game to be sadistic to you.”
- “Games are supposed to be funny and relaxing, a little bit challenging, but man, after 3 hours of this game I feel like I have cancer, autism, and anxiety. I almost smashed my desktop, seriously.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it feels forced and unoriginal, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I expected a lighthearted experience, but the jokes are so stale that they make the gameplay feel like a chore.”
atmosphere
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
32%
16%
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its retro charm and mysterious quality, effectively immersing players in a unique world that evokes curiosity and nostalgia. While the absence of background music enhances the eerie yet calming ambiance, some players find it can lead to moments of blandness. Overall, the combination of simple graphics, intuitive gameplay, and a well-crafted environment contributes to a captivating experience that encourages exploration and replayability.
- “This game nails the quiet and mysterious retro atmosphere that so many other games try and fail to do!”
- “The slight creepiness of the environment and the plot, combined with the lack of background music and the innocence of the protagonist, give this game a unique and extremely enjoyable atmosphere.”
- “You see the game through an old tube TV screen, which already gives the game a lot of atmosphere.”
- “The absence of background music also contributes to the atmosphere, but in this instance, the lack of any kind of music just made it feel sort of bland.”
- “The atmosphere feels deeper than it is.”
- “Despite the intentionally crude graphics, as the game progresses, a menacing atmosphere develops.”
grinding
17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
94%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring extensive backtracking and repeated attempts to progress, especially for completionists aiming for 100%. While some appreciate the challenge and rewarding power-ups, many feel that the lack of a map and convoluted paths contribute to a repetitive experience that can become boring over time. Overall, the grinding can detract from the enjoyment, particularly during longer play sessions.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding and keeps you engaged.”
- “The grind is satisfying and offers a real sense of progression.”
- “The last achievements are extremely hard to get, and would require countless hours of grinding; hence, I had to cheat to get them.”
- “Completionists beware: getting to 100% will be extremely tedious due to the lack of a map.”
- “Some parts of the game require some 'grinding' (if that's an appropriate term to use for trying again and again in a platformer), and some levels are pretty boring to do after a while.”
emotional
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it deeply moving despite its lack of a traditional narrative. While humorous elements and memes provide levity, many users report experiencing intense feelings, ranging from joy to sadness, with some even crying during gameplay. However, there are also critiques about the emotional toll it takes, leading to feelings of apathy or depression for certain players.
- “A wholesome, retro platformer that constantly changes the way you think about almost every room you go in.”
- “Despite its lack of overarching story or plot, and lack of dialogue, this game tells a compelling story, and has made me feel more than many other games I have played.”
- “Wow, while playing this game I cried for maybe 7 hours, almost as long as I cried for vvvvvv (34 hours as of 12/14/15) but I still played it.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with frequent crashes and glitches reported by users, including issues during quicksaves and visual problems that hinder gameplay. While some players appreciate the graphics, the overall experience is marred by persistent bugs and instability.
- “Buggy as hell, crashes every few minutes.”
- “The only thing it's missing is game freezes during quicksaves.”
- “My download screen glitches the background so I can't see anything when I hit start game.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
The game features no in-game microtransactions or downloadable content, making it a standalone experience. Players view it as an effective promotional tool for its sequel, "Super Win the Game."
- “There are no in-game microtransactions and no DLC; the game is standalone.”
- “The game offers a complete experience without any additional purchases required.”
- “I appreciate that the game doesn't pressure players into spending more money after the initial purchase.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The reviews suggest that "you have to win the game" intentionally forgoes traditional character development and storytelling, instead focusing on nostalgic gameplay that emphasizes winning over narrative depth. This approach resonates with players who appreciate the simplicity of classic gaming experiences.
- “In conclusion, 'you have to win the game' is a masterclass in nostalgia, reminding us all of simpler times when games didn’t need things like 'storylines' or 'character development.' They just needed to be won.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with users reporting unacceptable performance issues that hinder the overall experience.
- “Its unacceptable performance.”
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems.”
- “Frequent frame drops and stuttering make it unplayable.”