Weird Machines

Joe Schmitt turned me onto Puzzle Farter, a game by Pet Tomato. I'm constantly on the look out for silly Flash games that will keep me occupied. More often than not, I'm disappointed by poor gameplay mechanics, lackluster design and/or one-shot gimmicks that quickly become tiresome.

Puzzle Farter, on the other hand, hits a trifecta:

1. Simple Gameplay/Easy Learning Curve
   The controls for this game could not be simpler. Up, down, left and right to move, and another tap/hold of up to use your special power (spoiler: it's a fart-powered butt-boost). The first couple of levels are very simple and let you get hold of these controls, which are very elegant in their own way. Too often simple gameplay mechanics are marred by lack of fine tuning. Puzzle Farter hits the sweet spot with its simple physics.
2. Pleasant Graphics
   It looks good! Much like the gameplay, the graphics are a simpler 16-bit style throwback, and it couldn't be more appropriate. It doesn't have the flash-bang of modern 3D console games, but I've always thought that just because you can make a game that has particle effects and 3D tricks out the ass doesn't mean you should. I long for the days of the good 2D side-scroller.
3. The Human Connection
   This is easily the most important of the three. A game won't hold water with anyone if they can't relate to it. I immediately thought of no less than 10 people to send this to ("Hey, I found a game that reminds me of you!"). Even the corniest game with lackluster graphics and crappy controls will catch some users if one can relate to it. Fortunately for Puzzle Farter, it hits all three.

So go play it! The only criticism I would have is that it has very little replay value, but that is dwarfed by the joy of playing a game that exemplifies the "trifecta." Plus it makes me giggle like a school girl every time I hear the fart sound.