the game

Like Ze Frank's Life games, :the game: is basically a series of set pieces. Controls imply that this is a sidescroller -- left and right arrows to move, up to jump and down to crouch -- but in fact there's really not a lot of choice as to what happens. Instead, you simply do whatever it takes to trigger the next little bit. This often involves suicide.

Each "level" begins with a bit of text -- name and subtitle; the image shown above is from the "Monogamy" level, after you've hit on the second 'girl' on the level. Once the level is over (most end in your death), there's another bit of snarky text about what just happened (usually your pointless death).

Few levels have anything like actual gameplay, but even so, there's an odd feeling that they're saying something about the nature of games; if your only choice is to plummet from a platform to your death, you'll do it, if only to see what happens next. A few are more game-y; e.g., the global warming level is an actual sidescroller, with the ice platforms melting behind you (ala The Line Continues), though "completing" it is about as satisfying (or un) as the others.

Actually, it's quite entertaining, in a snide sort of way.