TIGSource: Karoshi

Karoshi

Derek Yu — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:21:00 +0000

Karoshi, which means “death from overwork” in Japanese, poses an interesting challenge to the player: kill yourself! It’s a gimmick that’s actually carried quite well across the 25 levels of this unique puzzle platformer. The game often messes with your expectations to genuinely hilarious effect – I love that you can pick up a gun, but can’t use it to off yourself directly. I don’t know why, but I love that.

Despite the lack of polish in the game’s overall presentation, Karoshi is, in my opinion, much more entertaining and clever than Adult Swim’s Kill Yourself in 5 Minutes.

(Source: dessgeega, via The Gamer’s Quarter forums)

"Karoshi" by Simonitro

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 01:31:21 +0000

This game is really fun.

Loved every moment of it. :D

"Karoshi" by gustav

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:40:39 +0000

the only thing i don’t like about this game are the blood spats on the screen. but that’s just me, nitpickin’.

"Karoshi" by gustav

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:31:47 +0000

^_^

"Karoshi" by Julius

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:52:44 +0000

what a weeaboo easter egg

"Karoshi" by kloi

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:55:09 +0000

i found a hidden easter egg in level 25, try to get to the end without dying.

"Karoshi" by Jesse

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:48:43 +0000

Hey, I just want to say I’m incredibly pleased with all the comments here, and on indiegames. I read them all of course, and it’s so great to see people having fun and figuring out/helping each other. TY!

2Dcube / Jesse Venbrux

"Karoshi" by Fishy Boy

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:43:56 +0000

I really like how sometimes it was really cool puzzles, and other times it was just amusing deaths. It struck the perfect balance between the two, and I never really found myself bored. I really think this game totally understands the difficulty curve and what length is perfect.

"Karoshi" by Andiaz

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:15:10 +0000

Not bad at all, even if some levels feel rushed. Feels nice to kill the main character and still progress for once. :>

"Karoshi" by Phyte

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:09:19 +0000

Now that is what I call level design!

"Karoshi" by muku

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:29:52 +0000

Loved it. Some levels were a bit too “gadget-y” for my taste (like the infamous K level), but it was great fun. More please!

"Karoshi" by lowpoly

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:31:05 +0000

Pretty fun little game, I got to 19 before I had to leave for work, probably finish it off tonight. I like how I was being cautious about certain parts and then remembered, ‘oh ya, I’m supposed to die!’

"Karoshi" by Terry

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:15:25 +0000

Seems like a few people are getting stuck in this, so I wrote a little walkthrough:

http://www.indiefaqs.com/index.php/Karoshi

"Karoshi" by Weasel

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:02:09 +0000

Can’t start the game. I’m stuck on the level select screen and can’t click the first level. Am I missing something obvious?

"Karoshi" by cmspice

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:01:48 +0000

Jon: It’s something that you totally wouldn’t expect or know about from playing previous levels.

It has something to do with a wall you can walk through but you have to make it so you can walk through it.

"Karoshi" by Jon

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:20:44 +0000

I’m stuck on level 24… any hints?

"Karoshi" by Adam Atomic

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:51:34 +0000

Absolutely great, reminiscent of Poyo in some places!

"Karoshi" by Dusty Spur

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:04:49 +0000

Or not.

Man, that was way obvious.

"Karoshi" by Dusty Spur

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:03:42 +0000

Ugh. I am stuck on level 3. I feel really dumb.

"Karoshi" by Spenat

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:12:18 +0000

Im having the same problem as Quiest, I am stuck at lvl screen, with a ticking sound in the back, i can move mouse and so on, but nothing happens when i press the level 0…

am I stupid o what?

"Karoshi" by GirlFlash

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:10:44 +0000

that was awesome, really clever levels. some reminded me of the impossible quiz

"Karoshi" by Joola

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:08:42 +0000

Yes, i’m stuck in level 12. More hints?

"Karoshi" by Lim-Dul

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:02:45 +0000

Quiest - uhm - but you figured out that the boxes are made from metal and so can conduct electricity (just a little hint =)?

Also, it’s not always advisable to press all the buttons as soon as possible… That’s all I can say. ^^

"Karoshi" by Robert

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:53:45 +0000

Derek, have you tried, uh.. pressing a suggested keyboard key?

"Karoshi" by Quiest

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 07:29:44 +0000

I’m stuck on the level in the screenshot >_< any help?

"Karoshi" by Derek

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:46:40 +0000

If you get stuck on level 12, well… hehe.