Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 71 | 6 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 94% | 88 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 85 | 3 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 89% | 83 | 3 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 8 reviews sampled · 6 total reviews in window · weighted 5.2 up / 0.7 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (26)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Human Resource Machine is a grim reminder of what life can be if you allow yourself to waste away and become part of the corporate machine. Beyond that, it's also a decent puzzle game if you're interested in simple coding and assembly language. This Switch version doesn't bring any significant changes along with it to make it stand out from previous platform releases, but it still manages to deliver a unique puzzler experience that will leave you scratching your head if you don't throw your Switch against a wall first. If nothing else, Human Resource Machine is reassurance that even if there is no escaping the soul-crushing banality of reality, at least we have videogames!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Similar to the actual programming idea from whence this takes inspiration from, Human Resource Machine is "easy" to learn but, at the same time, quite hard to correctly apply the acquired knowledge. While this basically means that it can lead to some frequent hair-pulling, and although this is not an experience that will last for long, most puzzle fans are strongly advised to try out Tomorrow Corporation's latest release now it's on Nintendo Switch.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Human Resource Machine has a nice concept that combines puzzles with assembly programming. The lack of a tutorial or a hint system will incommode non-programmers and this is game's only real problem. The game isn't exactly some kind of educational stuff but it can be an inspiration for further occupation with informatics.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The biggest issue of this game remains what it is as a game. There isn't a ton of variety, but the puzzles themselves are quite clever and keep you entertained for quite while. If you ever wanted to be a programmer in a strange abstract world, your craziest wish has been granted.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“The developers of Little Inferno reappear with the new Human Resource Machine: a great puzzle game that engage the player between mathematical logic and disquieting irony.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Puzzle games rely on the difficulty of their challenges and Human Resource Machine certainly excels at that. A puzzle game that carves its own territory within the puzzle game genre, this is a work that features a very steep difficulty curve, very demanding challenges, a very peculiar sense of humour and a presence of mathematical elements throughout the whole game. Thanks to its perfect control system, Human Resource Machine is a delight to interact with, the Nintendo Switch is getting the definite version of this unique game.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“As clever as it is charming, Human Resource Machine is a must-have for anyone interested in puzzles and programming.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A technically excellent educational game, but dry for all but maths enthusiasts.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Human Resource Machine is a really smart game and one that makes you feel like both a mastermind at times and, well, quite the opposite too. It throws a unique spin on the puzzle genre which many fans will love but also at times grow frustrated at due to the difficulty spike.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“Human Resource Machine's attempts at accessibility are lost as its aggressive cynicism refuses to offer any support.”
read full review ↗ - 62
“Human Resource Machine is a game that aims to teach you basic programming. The one thing it fails at is that it forgets to teach - you will soon be tasked with puzzles that seem impossible, making this job-simulator game feel like a real chore. While aesthetically pleasing and certainly charming in an odd way, you will soon be eyeing up a career change!”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Often too complex and obtuse in its teachings to cater to newcomer coders, Human Resource Machine is bound to push away some of its audience with unnecessary difficulty spikes. On the other hand, successfully wrapping my mind around a difficult problem and coming out victorious is an exhilarating feeling.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Cubed3
NintendoWorldReport
Eurogamer
FNintendo
We Got This Covered
PC Gamer
Nintendo Insider
Kritiqal
Switch Player
GameSpew…and 14 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- New Chinese Version, Japanese AddedMar 1, 2018
- New Chinese Version, Japanese AddedMar 1, 2018
- Some Human Resource Machine fixesMay 18, 2016
- Some Human Resource Machine fixesMay 18, 2016