Skip to main content

You Have to Win the Game

You Have to Win the Game Game Cover
96%Game Brain Score
gameplay, graphics
music, grinding
96% User Score Based on 56 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCWeb BrowserMac OSXboxWindows
Play Now
Buy NowGet on Steam Buy NowGet on itch.io Store
You Have to Win the Game Game Cover

About

You Have to Win the Game is a single player open world platformer game. It was developed by J. Kyle Pittman and was released on May 6, 2014. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

"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
You Have to Win the Game screenshot
You Have to Win the Game screenshot
You Have to Win the Game screenshot
Skip User Reviews

96%
Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews
gameplay4 positive mentions
music2 negative mentions
  • The game offers a nostalgic retro platforming experience with tight controls and a well-mastered difficulty curve.
  • It's free to play, making it an accessible option for anyone looking for a fun challenge.
  • The game features many checkpoints and unlimited lives, allowing players to comfortably learn the mechanics and enjoy the gameplay.
  • Some levels can be extremely challenging, leading to frustration and a high number of deaths.
  • The lack of music and confusing map can detract from the overall experience.
  • Certain power-ups, like the cling ability, have issues on moving platforms, which can be frustrating in specific sections.
  • gameplay
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is highly praised for its tight controls, engaging mechanics, and a rewarding learning curve, making it accessible yet challenging. Players appreciate the retro platformer style combined with metroidvania elements, which enhance the experience through collectibles and upgrades. Overall, the gameplay delivers a satisfying blend of nostalgia and innovation, keeping players motivated to progress.

    • “These allow you to become comfortable with the controls and gameplay, not to mention giving an endorphin rush for getting to the next bell after a particularly challenging section.”
    • “Awesome retro platformer with metroidvania elements, great from gameplay to artwork, loved it :)”
    • “I'm already at one hour of gameplay and loving the learning curve, tight controls, interesting mechanics, and metroidvania collectibles/upgrades to your character (won't tell you what they are for spoiler purposes).”
    • “The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “The controls are unresponsive at times, which can lead to frustrating moments during gameplay.”
    • “I found the mechanics to be clunky and not as intuitive as I had hoped, detracting from the overall experience.”
  • graphics
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are highly praised for their retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the look and feel of classic platformers with metroidvania elements. The inclusion of a CRT simulation enhances the nostalgic experience, making it visually appealing to fans of the genre. Overall, the artwork and design contribute significantly to the game's charm.

    • “It's great, and even comes with a lovely CRT simulation and really captures the aesthetics and gameplay of those old games.”
    • “Awesome retro platformer with Metroidvania elements, great from gameplay to artwork, loved it :)”
  • music
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game is notably sparse, leading some players to suggest that adding 8-bit chiptunes could enhance the experience.

    • “There's a distinct lack of music, so you may want some 8-bit chiptunes playing in the background.”
  • grinding
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating at times, leading to a generally negative perception of this element.

    • “The only complaint I have is that some parts are tedious and frustrating.”
    • “The only complaint I have is that some parts are tedious and frustrating.”
Skip Game Offers

Buy You Have to Win the Game

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like You Have to Win the Game

Games Like You Have to Win the Game

Out There Somewhere Image
91%5.6kreviews

Out There Somewhere

2016Action Adventure
PCMac OSSteam Deck+1
Pinkman Image
98%366reviews

Pinkman

2017Casual Action Adventure
PCWindows
Super Win the Game Image
89%754reviews

Super Win the Game

2014Platformer
LinuxPCMac OS+2
Khimera: Destroy all Monster Girls Image
96%917reviews

Khimera: Destroy all Monster Girls

2016Platformer
PCWindows
Mute Crimson+ Image
90%192reviews

Mute Crimson+

2015Action Adventure
LinuxPCTablet+3
More games like You Have to Win the Game
Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

You Have to Win the Game is a open world platformer game.

You Have to Win the Game is available on PC, Web Browser, Mac OS, Windows and others.

You Have to Win the Game was released on May 6, 2014.

You Have to Win the Game was developed by J. Kyle Pittman.

You Have to Win the Game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its music.

You Have to Win the Game is a single player game.

Similar games include Out There Somewhere, Pinkman, Super Win the Game, Khimera: Destroy all Monster Girls, Mute Crimson+ and others.