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

Tags: burn, flash, flash-games, flashgames, free, have, indie, mazapan, rope, to, yhtbtr, you, youhavetoburntherope

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.

Jomolungma @ Apr 6th 2008 4:38PM

The closing credits song might be better than Still Alive. Harmonix, are you listening?

Kyattsuai @ Apr 6th 2008 4:39PM

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

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

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?

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....