Flash game most likely to become internet meme phenomenon: YHTBTR
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Apr 6th 2008 at 4:30PM }
We know it's a little early to be throwing phrases like "Game of the Year 2008" around, but when we discover flash games of this caliber, we can't help but voice our heartfelt infatuation. With its stunning character design, addictive gameplay, and breathtaking soundtrack, You Have To Burn The Rope is a smorgasbord of top-notch writing, programming, and design.
We must insist you try it out, and let us know your opinions, strategies and fastest speed run times for the game in the comments section. Though it may detract from the game's titular twist, we feel we must warn you -- you will
come across a rope during your journey through YHTBTR's lovingly-crafted world, and it absolutely must be burned. Anyone who tells you differently does not have your best interest at heart.
[Via Kotaku]
Play: You Have To Burn The Rope
Watch: The pulse-pounding teaser trailer
Read: The comprehensive walkthrough
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
rookiejr @ Apr 6th 2008 4:36PM
That... that was beautiful.
Kewlrats @ Apr 6th 2008 6:30PM
I just think they out-Portaled Portal.
And then spread some Portal on toast and ate it.
If this were any more worthy of GOTY-Oh-Ate, I'd make it GOTY-Oh-Nein as well.
The Artist formally known as Jesus @ Apr 6th 2008 4:38PM
That was about as puzzling as the bosses in The Legend of Zelda series.
Kyattsuai @ Apr 6th 2008 4:39PM
aka YHTUTWYJG (You Have To Use The Weapon You Just Got)
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 6th 2008 11:21PM
You reminded me of the Legend of Awesome by Egoraptor.
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/usermovies/32551.html?id=32551
Jomolungma @ Apr 6th 2008 4:38PM
The closing credits song might be better than Still Alive. Harmonix, are you listening?
Kyattsuai @ Apr 6th 2008 4:40PM
drat, that was meant to be a reply to the comment above =^>.
Cabcru @ Apr 6th 2008 5:18PM
When the song came up at the end, I did occur to me they were trying too hard to be 'Still Alive'-like. Meh.
Jacksons @ Apr 6th 2008 5:32PM
@Cabcru
Yeah, no kidding. What a shameless meme attempt.
Dannyboi68 @ Apr 6th 2008 4:39PM
The first game I've ever finished on my first try.
mr nimblewick @ Apr 6th 2008 8:06PM
Never played twilight princess, eh?
Dantefox @ Apr 6th 2008 4:44PM
I feel like I missed something after beating the game... alternate ending maybe?
Obviousman @ Apr 6th 2008 4:46PM
Joystiq: The internet two days late!
or
Joystiq: Kotaku, only slower!
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 6th 2008 5:00PM
old jokes are outdated
everyone already knows this
didn't you get the memo?
Autopsy15 @ Apr 6th 2008 5:19PM
This is why his name is Obviousman most likely.
rTwelve @ Apr 6th 2008 7:51PM
Joystiq: Kotaku, only smarter!
see i can troll too
Mr.ESC @ Apr 6th 2008 8:35PM
Ashcraft is that you?
Joseph @ Apr 7th 2008 1:57AM
I believe it is..
Joystiq: a complete 1up ripoff!
NukeAssault @ Apr 6th 2008 4:46PM
Nuke is not amused.... But that song... Pwn.
Neebs @ Apr 6th 2008 4:52PM
I saw that friday night and I think I've played it five times to hear the song.
You beat the whole damn ga-ame!
Phillip @ Apr 6th 2008 4:52PM
Awesome. Now back to studying. Thanks Joystiq.
Yourself @ Apr 6th 2008 4:57PM
I couldn't get the character to throw axes.
Luckily, it mattered.
GoldenS1104 @ Apr 6th 2008 4:57PM
That game made me smile.
Brilliant.
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 6th 2008 5:01PM
Please don't use those giant gaps in comments. It's very annoying.
GoldenS1104 @ Apr 6th 2008 5:07PM
Yeah, what shmil said... for a second i thought there was something wrong with joystiq cause i couldn't find the comment box. then i realized you just took up a lot of space.
Kn1ves @ Apr 6th 2008 5:09PM
4. Also you can't really die.
Cutty @ Apr 6th 2008 6:03PM
I'm surprised you're the only person to mention that.
Blazur @ Apr 6th 2008 5:13PM
Cute. Did Jonathan Coultran write that ending song?
Einhanderkiller @ Apr 6th 2008 9:01PM
Henrik Nåmark
Brandon @ Apr 6th 2008 5:55PM
Bleh. This article was posted 5 days too late.
Kassu @ Apr 6th 2008 5:16PM
Wait, in a way, you still have to "Kill it with fire"
Cal @ Apr 6th 2008 5:17PM
Wow... That was shit.
Geist @ Apr 6th 2008 6:54PM
See this? ---> .
This is what's known as 'The Point'. I bet you didn't see it. I bet you missed it entirely.
The game is basically a satirical piece, and a well-executed one at that.
Cal @ Apr 6th 2008 7:03PM
I don't care what it was or was meant to do, but in my opinion it was shit. As for the satirical nature of it, I only like my satire funny or fun, and preferably not about internet culture.
Fatass of Kickassness @ Apr 6th 2008 7:42PM
Doesn't make it shit. Difference between 'not my cup o tea' and 'shit' actually exists, ya know.
mike @ Apr 6th 2008 8:27PM
I would agree it was shit. Its not like the game itself was humurous. Your all just so excited and laughing becuase the only joke from the game is that it was short. Dont go to a comedy club guys, you might have a heart attack.
Did you all laugh at how hesterical pac-man was when you beat the first and only level? Playing this game is just a waste of time, there was nothing funny or exciting about it.
Geist @ Apr 6th 2008 9:49PM
The joke isn't that it was short. The joke was that it was a game that wasn't a game (that's not the same as something that's just not a game at all).
It presents itself as a full game with a boss, level, platforming, weaponry, etc, while at the same time stripping away what a game is by telling you exactly what to do, being unable to die, and making many aspects of it trivial.
Sigh. If you don't get it by now, then you just won't get it at all.
mike @ Apr 6th 2008 10:37PM
dont worry, I "get it" I just dont see how people can find this funny. Then again, most people like those webcomics about video games when only like 1 in 1000 are actually good
Cal @ Apr 7th 2008 4:35AM
It's good to see I'm not the only non-sheep (for want of a batter term) here. By sheep I mean people who if they're told something is hilarious, will find it so.
NATO_Duke @ Apr 7th 2008 11:12AM
Cal, you come of as a shallow person for getting so pissed sounding over this. People are not sheep because they found the game to be funny - it was a goofy lark man, lighten up.
exodus264 @ Apr 6th 2008 5:19PM
Not only did I beat the game, but I pressed refresh and watched a video.
Now what will I do with the rest of my day?
Bran @ Apr 6th 2008 5:29PM
Kind of short campaign at only 6 hours of gameplay for me to beat it.
ThornedVenom (Harley Quinn Defense Force) @ Apr 6th 2008 5:49PM
DId someone say trilogy?
Blazur @ Apr 7th 2008 12:33AM
Thankfully the game has incredible replay value. Have you tried playing it with your LEFT hand?
Autopsy15 @ Apr 6th 2008 5:23PM
I made it through the tunnel, then I grabbed that fire on the wall. I burned the rope and saved them all.
Derick @ Apr 6th 2008 5:32PM
I couldn't find the previously mentioned victims.
In fact I felt like an ass for going into some giant grinning (obviously happy) monsters lovely home (the chandelier was nice...) and just killing him.
He didn't seem to be doing anything wrong really....
Shmil (Brawl Code 2621-2310-1994) @ Apr 6th 2008 5:50PM
Congratulations Derick! You have just participated in an internet mediated Milgram experiment, you obeyed the authority of the white words.
Jacksons @ Apr 6th 2008 5:30PM
Great. A game and song fully designed to start some stupid internet meme. Screw that.
Max Headroom @ Apr 6th 2008 5:30PM
I smell a future WiiWare release...
Burnt Meatloaf @ Apr 7th 2008 1:44AM
Either that, or a $20 strategy guide.