Happy Wheels
| Happy Wheels | |
|---|---|
 The Happy Wheels logo | |
| Developer(s) | Jim Bonacci, Jason Schymick |
| Publisher(s) | Fancy Force |
| Engine | Box2D Physics Engine |
| Platform(s) | Web browser |
| Release | June 4th, 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Ragdoll physics Black comedy Indie game Platformer Splatter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Happy Wheels is a ragdoll physics-based, browser game created by Jim Bonacci in 2010. The game features several playable characters who use different, sometimes atypical vehicles to traverse the game's levels. The game is best known for its graphic violence and the amount of user-generated content its players produce on a regular basis.
Characters
Players can choose from a number of characters to play as:
- Wheelchair Guy
- Segway Guy
- Irresponsible Dad
- Effective Shopper
- Moped Couple
- Lawnmower Man
- Explorer Guy
- Santa Claus
- Pogostick Man[1]
- Irresponsible Mom
Gameplay
Happy Wheels' tagline is "Choose your inadequately prepared racer, and ignore severe consequences in your desperate search for victory!"[2] The actual mechanics of gameplay vary because of character choice and level design.[3] However, the player always faces to the right and their vehicles can move forward and backward. Characters can also be ejected from their vehicles, however after leaving their vehicle, they lack the ability to stand upright or walk.
The goal of the game also differs depending on the level. In some levels, the goal to reach a designated finish line. However, some levels have no finish lines, and have alternative goals (or no goals at all), such as ones requiring that the player attempt to kill a target.[3][4]
Reviewers have noted that Happy Wheels exhibits graphic violence in its gameplay.[2][3][4][5] For instance, players can be decapitated, shot, or crushed by different obstacles.[5] Loss of limb[2] and animated blood loss[3] are also graphic elements.
Players also have the choice to upload replays of their level attempts.[3] Replays can be then be viewed and rated by other players.
Happy Wheels contains a built in level editor, and allows players to create custom levels of their own. Users are given a large variety of tools and objects to build their levels. Users are able to submit their maps, whereupon they can be played by all users.[5]
Availability
The full version of Happy Wheels is only available on Jim Bonacci's original website,[6] demo versions of the game are licensed to other websites. These demo versions only include featured maps and select characters.
Inspiration
Artwork and programming for Happy Wheels was largely developed by Jim Bonacci, an indie game developer, in June of 2010. Bonacci has said that his inspiration for the game came from other ragdoll physics-based games in the Flash community. In addition, he explained the violent nature of the game in terms of his frustration with how consequences of certain actions were not treated realistically in other game titles:[4]
It always bothered me when...you’d fall off your vehicle and harmlessly bounce around. In other cases, you would have the same canned animation over and over. I’m not sure if it was a lack of detail or concern on the part of the developer, but the consequences of your in-game actions were often improperly illustrated. For me, half of the fun of playing a game that imitates life (sort of), is making mistakes and seeing the end result.
Bonnaci also noted that because gameplay would often involve the player dying repeatedly, he put a great deal of effort into making that part of the game enjoyable.[4]
Reception
Happy Wheels has received generally positive reviews. It has been recommended by GameSetWatch.com[2] and considered one of the "Best Free Games" by IGN.[3] Its level editor and amount of user-generated content have received praise from reviewers.[2][7] The over-the-top nature of the violence is also considered humorous;[3] one review stated that "It so genuinely difficult to play Happy Wheels and not just laugh and laugh at the ridiculous ways in which your character can be torn into pieces."[5]
References
- ^ Bonacci, Jason. "We are alive". Retrieved 22 August 2012.
Thanks to Nova for providing vocals.
Vocals provided by YouTube user UberhaxorNova who frequently uploads Happy Wheels-related content. - ^ a b c d e Caoili, Eric. "Happy Wheels: Bloody, 'Severe Consequences'". GameSetWatch. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g Meunier, Nathan. "Best Free Games — Happy Wheels". IGN. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d Holmes, Kevin. "Severed Limbs and Slam-Dunked Toddlers: An Interview With The Creator of "Happy Wheels"". The Creators Project. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Cheap PC Gaming: Three More Cheap Distractions". Cheap PC Gaming. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ "Totaljerkface.com - Home Of Happy Wheels - Happy Wheels Full Version". Fancy Force. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
{{cite web}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ "'LittleBigPlanet' Vita dated for September". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
External links
- Happy Wheels on Total Jerkface.com