Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. May 16, 2017
    100
    While Human Resource Machine has made me want to throw my Switch across the room in frustration, it’s got a very fair and understanding difficulty curve which is very important for a game like this. Even if you’re awful at maths like myself Human Resource Machine is a must buy for anyone looking to kill a few hours in between Mario Karting sessions.
  2. Apr 6, 2017
    85
    Human Resource Machine is an original and clever puzzle game that allows you to design your own algorithms to improve your efficiency in the work, while you resolve a great variety of math challenges. It's a very special title, but it's not for everyone.
  3. Mar 31, 2017
    82
    Clever puzzlemix based on a fictitious programming language.
  4. May 18, 2017
    80
    This might not be the best version of Human Resource Machine, but it remains a puzzler well worth checking out.
  5. 80
    There is a lot to like about the Switch version of Human Resource Machine. If you’ve never played it before, there is no better place to play it. The control options are sublime with the added benefit of taking it anywhere. 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.
  6. May 1, 2017
    70
    Human Resource Machine is an unusual specimen, a puzzle game more intricate than most puzzle games, with a very demanding level of difficulty and which requires a certain mindset to be enjoyed. That being said, its puzzles are very challenging and its control system works perfectly, whether on handheld mode or with the Nintendo Switch on its Dock. The assignments could be more varied but for those who enjoy tough and difficult tasks and who are not intimidated by mathematical elements, Human Resource Machine is a gem and the Nintendo Switch is getting its shiniest version.
  7. Apr 21, 2017
    70
    Straddling a weird line between far too difficult and a touch too easy, Human Resource Machine has a very specific audience in mind and may not appeal to everyone with eyes on a low-cost Nintendo eShop title. But for what it is, Human Resource Machine presents a challenging diversion in the form of code string puzzling amid pleasing and amusing dystopian aesthetic. If this is the sort of mental challenge you like to carry around with you, by all means pick it up on the Nintendo Switch–it’s the ideal platform for such a game.
  8. Mar 30, 2017
    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.
  9. Mar 25, 2017
    70
    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!
  10. Mar 20, 2017
    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.
  11. Apr 7, 2017
    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.
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 32 out of 49
  2. Negative: 7 out of 49
  1. May 30, 2017
    6
    Human Resource Machine is a fun, coding simulation game, and takes an interesting path on how to help you learn some basics into programming.Human Resource Machine is a fun, coding simulation game, and takes an interesting path on how to help you learn some basics into programming. You basically take the character and program in a set of commands in specific orders, and have him complete the puzzles. It consists of moving around numbers from one platform to the next in a certain order. I enjoyed my time with it, but the difficulty level ramps dramatically, and I don't think gives you enough time to move up without having some prior background knowledge into programming or coding. As well as this game started out, it was a bummer that it got to the point that I couldn't figure it out (which may just be a reflection on my own math skills), and the game doesn't have a good way to get hints or move on past a level you are stuck on. If you like math puzzles, then you will fall in love with this game, and if you are interested in programming then this is probably a must play, but otherwise I think most people will get stuck, or lose interest part way through. Tomorrow Corporation's quirkiness made it worth a shot to me, and the weird settings they play in add another level of interest to it, but the game doesn't really work for me. Full Review »
  2. Mar 28, 2017
    7
    Never played this game before I bought it on the switch. Since I used to study computer science it was easy to get into it but sometimes theNever played this game before I bought it on the switch. Since I used to study computer science it was easy to get into it but sometimes the game jumps in difficulty without giving you much help which could be problematic for the un experienced.

    They could 've added something like points or stats to give you a better view of how your doing but instead you just climb the ladder hoping not to get stuck on one puzzle

    Both the touch and the motion controls work fine and it took me about 3 hours to finish the game without doing the side puzzles.

    Could 've been better, but it's still decent.
    Full Review »
  3. Nov 17, 2020
    9
    A fun brainteaser that can get really, really challenging if you’re looking to 100% it. The graphics, audio, and story were all good—the storyA fun brainteaser that can get really, really challenging if you’re looking to 100% it. The graphics, audio, and story were all good—the story was at times comical and at times somber, and it offered the same semi-nihilistic paradigm that Little Inferno did. It’s nice to play games that strive to be literature—it’s good for the soul.

    It’s all about the gameplay, though, and this game offers that in spades. I loved the challenge of programming my answers, and it was fun to watch my little human zip around completing tasks. Definitely satisfying to watch him whizz through a correct response. I did not 100% the game, as the challenges got too hard for me, but I’m sure there are people that enjoy that sort of thing. It was nice that the really hard challenges were optional bonus events and not part of the main story line—I appreciated that.

    Overall, my only complaint is the price, because $15 MSRP is a mite high. I’ll give it a 9.
    Full Review »