Difference between revisions of "You Have to Win the Game"

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[[Image:You Have to Win the Game - Steam - Title Card.jpg|thumb|256x256px|Steam title card.]]
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{{Video Game
 +
| Title            = You Have to Win the Game
 +
| Image           = You Have to Win the Game - Steam - Title Card.jpg
 +
| ImageDescription = Steam - World - Title card.
 +
| Developer        = [[J. Kyle Pittman]]
 +
| Publisher        = {{VideoGamePublisher|Pirate Hearts}}
 +
| PublishedYear    = 2012
 +
| PublishedMonth  = 05
 +
| PublishedDay    = 06
 +
| Platforms        = {{Platform|Linux}}, {{Platform|Macintosh}}, {{Platform|Windows}}
 +
| Genres          = {{VideoGameGenre|Action adventure video game|Action adventure}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Metroidvania|Metroidvania}}, {{VideoGameGenre|Platformer|Platformer}}
 +
| Themes          = {{MediaTheme|Adventure}}, {{MediaTheme|Fantasy}}
 +
| Series          = ''[[Win the Game (universe)|Win the Game]]''
 +
| Distributions    = {{VideoGameDistribution|Freeware}}
 +
}}
  
'''''You Have to Win the Game''''' is an action platform adventure game developed by [[J. Kyle Pittman]] and published by [[Pirate Hearts]] on 2012-05-06 for [[Windows]] and later ported to [[Linux]] and [[Macintosh]]. The graphics and sound are purposely designed to be retro (using [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] and [[PC speaker]]) and the game play features the now common theme of placing save states all over the map. As you explore the region you must pick up bags of money and find clues to decipher a code to beat the game.
+
'''''You Have to Win the Game''''' is a [[platformer]] adventure game developed by [[J. Kyle Pittman]] and published by [[Pirate Hearts]] on 2012-05-06 for [[Windows]] as [[freeware]], and later ported to [[Linux]] and [[Macintosh]]. It's the first game in the [[Win the Game (universe)|Win the Game series]]. The graphics and sound are purposely designed to be retro (using [[Color Graphics Adapter|CGA]] and [[PC speaker]]) and the game play features the now common theme of placing save states all over the map. As you explore the region you must pick up bags of money and find clues to decipher a code to beat the game.
 +
 
 +
==Personal==
 +
{{VideoGameStatus
 +
| Own      =
 +
| CantOwn  = No. The game was never sold.
 +
| Won      = Yes. Normal mode with 100% completion. Needed a hint for the final puzzle.
 +
| CantWin  =
 +
| Finished = 2017-01-02.
 +
}}
  
 
I first saw this game in a video about game programming. I remember appreciating the CGA graphics and wanting to play the game, but I didn't remember the title (or if it was even mentioned). Later, while searching through Steam's [[Metroidvania]] category, I saw the game and remembered it from before, and was pleased to see it available for free.
 
I first saw this game in a video about game programming. I remember appreciating the CGA graphics and wanting to play the game, but I didn't remember the title (or if it was even mentioned). Later, while searching through Steam's [[Metroidvania]] category, I saw the game and remembered it from before, and was pleased to see it available for free.
  
==Status==
+
==Review==
The game is freeware. I have beaten the normal mode with 100% completion, though I needed a hint for the final puzzle.
+
{{Video Game Review|5|5|4|1|6|Windows}}
  
==Review==
+
{{Spoilers}}
* '''Overall:''' 5/10
 
* '''Best Version:''' Windows
 
  
 
===Good===
 
===Good===
 
* Despite being limited to single-screen maps and CGA graphics, the game is pretty attractive, and the maps are quite interesting.
 
* Despite being limited to single-screen maps and CGA graphics, the game is pretty attractive, and the maps are quite interesting.
* I always enjoy seeing harder portions of the game when I'm still too weak to deal with them.
+
* I always enjoy seeing harder portions of the game when I'm still too weak to deal with them. That's good level design.
 
* I like how each room had its own name, often with nerd-related jokes, although some of them seemed unnecessary.
 
* I like how each room had its own name, often with nerd-related jokes, although some of them seemed unnecessary.
 
* While there are some more complicated jumping puzzles, nothing ever became too frustrating.
 
* While there are some more complicated jumping puzzles, nothing ever became too frustrating.
 
* The ability to display the game in a retro CRT monitor, with custom amounts of glare, overscan, etc., was a nice feature set.
 
* The ability to display the game in a retro CRT monitor, with custom amounts of glare, overscan, etc., was a nice feature set.
 
* I like how you can "upgrade" to [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]] colors.
 
* I like how you can "upgrade" to [[Enhanced Graphics Adapter|EGA]] colors.
* The addition of different hard modes (extra spicy, cat mode, etc.) is a nice addition.
+
* The addition of different hard modes (extra spicy, cat mode, etc.) is a nice addition for those brave enough to try them.
  
 
===Bad===
 
===Bad===
 
* In general, there isn't much for the player to do. Other than the end puzzle, the entire game boils down to simple jumping puzzles, with the occasional difficult one.
 
* In general, there isn't much for the player to do. Other than the end puzzle, the entire game boils down to simple jumping puzzles, with the occasional difficult one.
* There is a fair amount of back-tracking. Each time you get a new power-up, you have to return to old areas to get the bags you missed.
+
* There is a fair amount of back-tracking. Each time you get a new power-up, you have to return to old areas to get the bags you were unable to get earlier. But, since you probably won't remember them all, or which items are necessary to reach them, you'll probably end up backtracking several times.
* The audio was a bit dull. Even limited to PC speaker emulation, more effort could have been added.
+
* With only a tiny amount of monsters, the game world seems rather empty. It would have been nicer to see more living things in the game, like if some of the spikes were replaced with monsters or platforms and moving walls were neutral monsters that could be jumped on.
* With only a tiny amount of monsters, the game world seemed rather empty. It would have been nicer to see more living things in the game, like if some of the spikes with monsters or platforms and moving walls were neutral monsters.
+
* One of the room names actually points out a design weakness, the over-used contrived lock-and key progression mechanism. It would be better if the game used additional power-ups to open larger areas of the map rather than two sets of filled platform.
* One of the room names actually points out an design weakness, the over-used contrived lock-and key progression mechanism. It would be better if the game used more power-ups to open larger areas of the map rather than generic platform fillers.
+
* A lot of the background informative signs were unnecessary. The spikes will kill me? Really?!
  
 
===Ugly===
 
===Ugly===
 
* The lose option which resets your power-ups is dumb. All it does is force you to redo a large section of the map again for no real reason, and it's mandatory for a 100% completion.
 
* The lose option which resets your power-ups is dumb. All it does is force you to redo a large section of the map again for no real reason, and it's mandatory for a 100% completion.
* The clues to identify the magic word are extremely vague and don't offer enough information to decipher it.
+
* The audio was a bit dull. Even when limited to PC speaker emulation, more effort could have been added. Several more short jingles would have added a lot to the game.
* Trying to beat the game in cat mode is pretty ridiculous.
+
* The clues to identify the magic word are extremely vague and, in my opinion, don't offer enough information to decipher it.
  
 
==Media==
 
==Media==
Line 38: Line 59:
 
You Have to Win the Game - Map.png|Map.
 
You Have to Win the Game - Map.png|Map.
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
 +
 +
* [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=257947650#286427 steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=257947650#286427] - Interactive maps.
  
 
===Screenshots===
 
===Screenshots===
Line 58: Line 81:
  
 
===Videos===
 
===Videos===
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kkFWqysmG0 youtube.com/watch?v=8kkFWqysmG0] - Default game long play.
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{{YouTube|8kkFWqysmG0|Longplay - Default settings.}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg8Xde9-zcs youtube.com/watch?v=Gg8Xde9-zcs] - Hard mode long play.
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{{YouTube|Gg8Xde9-zcs|Longplay - EGA, Extra Spicy.}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIAoe-f3rsY youtube.com/watch?v=YIAoe-f3rsY] - Cat mode long play.
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{{YouTube|YIAoe-f3rsY|Longplay - EGA, Cat mode.}}
 +
 
 +
==Representation==
 +
{{Representation
 +
| Media                      = Video games
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterStatus = Fail
 +
| StrongFemaleCharacterNotes  = There are no women.
 +
| BechdelTestStatus          = Fail
 +
| BechdelTestNotes            = There are no women.
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterStatus    = Fail
 +
| StrongPOCCharacterNotes    = The only human character appears white.
 +
| QueerCharacterStatus        = Fail
 +
| QueerCharacterNotes        = There are no queer characters.
 +
}}
  
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
* [http://www.mobygames.com/game/you-have-to-win-the-game mobygames.com/game/you-have-to-win-the-game] - MobyGames.
+
{{Link|MobyGames|http://www.mobygames.com/game/you-have-to-win-the-game}}
* [http://www.piratehearts.com/blog/games/you-have-to-win-the-game piratehearts.com/blog/games/you-have-to-win-the-game] - Official.
+
{{Link|TVTropes|https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VideoGame/YouHaveToWinTheGame}}
 +
{{Link|Official|http://www.piratehearts.com/blog/games/you-have-to-win-the-game}}
 +
 
 +
* [https://piratehearts.itch.io/you-have-to-win-the-game-browser piratehearts.itch.io/you-have-to-win-the-game-browser] - Play online.
 
* [http://store.steampowered.com/app/286100 store.steampowered.com/app/286100] - Game on Steam.
 
* [http://store.steampowered.com/app/286100 store.steampowered.com/app/286100] - Game on Steam.
  
  
[[Category: Games]]
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[[Category: Video Game Prime Order - Adventure, Action, Strategy]]
[[Category: Video Games]]
 
[[Category: Linux Games]]
 
[[Category: Macintosh Games]]
 
[[Category: Windows Games]]
 
[[Category: Action]]
 
[[Category: Platformer]]
 
[[Category: Adventure]]
 
[[Category: Metroidvania]]
 
[[Category: Games I've Beaten]]
 
 
[[Category: 2-bit Color Graphics]]
 
[[Category: 2-bit Color Graphics]]
 
[[Category: 4-bit Color Graphics]]
 
[[Category: 4-bit Color Graphics]]
 +
[[Category: Game Mechanic - Optional Permadeath]]

Latest revision as of 15:04, 7 March 2024

You Have to Win the Game

You Have to Win the Game - Steam - Title Card.jpg

Steam - World - Title card.

Developer J. Kyle Pittman
Publisher Pirate Hearts
Published 2012-05-06
Platforms Linux, Macintosh, Windows
Genres Action adventure, Metroidvania, Platformer
Themes Adventure, Fantasy
Series Win the Game
Distribution Freeware

You Have to Win the Game is a platformer adventure game developed by J. Kyle Pittman and published by Pirate Hearts on 2012-05-06 for Windows as freeware, and later ported to Linux and Macintosh. It's the first game in the Win the Game series. The graphics and sound are purposely designed to be retro (using CGA and PC speaker) and the game play features the now common theme of placing save states all over the map. As you explore the region you must pick up bags of money and find clues to decipher a code to beat the game.

Personal

Own?No. The game was never sold.
Won?Yes. Normal mode with 100% completion. Needed a hint for the final puzzle.
Finished2017-01-02.

I first saw this game in a video about game programming. I remember appreciating the CGA graphics and wanting to play the game, but I didn't remember the title (or if it was even mentioned). Later, while searching through Steam's Metroidvania category, I saw the game and remembered it from before, and was pleased to see it available for free.

Review

Video Game Review Icon - Enjoyment.png Video Game Review Icon - Control.png Video Game Review Icon - Appearance.png Video Game Review Icon - Sound.png Video Game Review Icon - Replayability.png
5 5 4 1 6

Best Version: Windows

— This section contains spoilers! —

Good

  • Despite being limited to single-screen maps and CGA graphics, the game is pretty attractive, and the maps are quite interesting.
  • I always enjoy seeing harder portions of the game when I'm still too weak to deal with them. That's good level design.
  • I like how each room had its own name, often with nerd-related jokes, although some of them seemed unnecessary.
  • While there are some more complicated jumping puzzles, nothing ever became too frustrating.
  • The ability to display the game in a retro CRT monitor, with custom amounts of glare, overscan, etc., was a nice feature set.
  • I like how you can "upgrade" to EGA colors.
  • The addition of different hard modes (extra spicy, cat mode, etc.) is a nice addition for those brave enough to try them.

Bad

  • In general, there isn't much for the player to do. Other than the end puzzle, the entire game boils down to simple jumping puzzles, with the occasional difficult one.
  • There is a fair amount of back-tracking. Each time you get a new power-up, you have to return to old areas to get the bags you were unable to get earlier. But, since you probably won't remember them all, or which items are necessary to reach them, you'll probably end up backtracking several times.
  • With only a tiny amount of monsters, the game world seems rather empty. It would have been nicer to see more living things in the game, like if some of the spikes were replaced with monsters or platforms and moving walls were neutral monsters that could be jumped on.
  • One of the room names actually points out a design weakness, the over-used contrived lock-and key progression mechanism. It would be better if the game used additional power-ups to open larger areas of the map rather than two sets of filled platform.
  • A lot of the background informative signs were unnecessary. The spikes will kill me? Really?!

Ugly

  • The lose option which resets your power-ups is dumb. All it does is force you to redo a large section of the map again for no real reason, and it's mandatory for a 100% completion.
  • The audio was a bit dull. Even when limited to PC speaker emulation, more effort could have been added. Several more short jingles would have added a lot to the game.
  • The clues to identify the magic word are extremely vague and, in my opinion, don't offer enough information to decipher it.

Media

Maps

Screenshots

Fan Art

Videos

Longplay - Default settings.
Longplay - EGA, Extra Spicy.
Longplay - EGA, Cat mode.

Representation

Strong female character?FailThere are no women.
Bechdel test?FailThere are no women.
Strong person of color character?FailThe only human character appears white.
Queer character?FailThere are no queer characters.

Links

Link-MobyGames.png  Link-TVTropes.png  Link-Official.png