Eighty puzzle flavored levels with solutions never seen before. Action scenes include jumping into the mouth of T-REX and choking it with a spear.

Normal gameplay

Humans is something between Lemmings and Lost Vikings. It has puzzles, but also action elements. Some of the later levels are quite challenging. It can take several hours to complete the game. Normally you spend a couple of minutes with each level, even if you know them by heart, but due to some very difficult tricks the average level completion time in this TAS is 19 seconds.
Only one human can be controlled at a time, but with careful planning you can move many of them simultaneously, because they move automatically during climbing, falling, jumping and dying. Jumping is faster than walking, so it's a very good method to jump as often as possible and switch to other humans between each jump. Sometimes humans are switched very rapidly, which causes the screen to move from side to side. It also makes following the movie difficult at times. Many things happen off screen too.
The two initial skills are (1) picking up items and (2) climbing on each other to form a "human tower". (Note: Humans can't jump without specific tools.)
Here are the four different tools that become available during the game:
Spear is used to jump, but it can also be thrown as a weapon.
Fire is used to burn bushes out of the way. Burns humans too.
Wheel is used to jump. It rolls fast on downward slopes.
Rope is used for climbing.
Shaman is a special unit that can transform humans into tools.
Some levels have large boulders that block the way. There's a trigger somewhere in the level that makes them vanish. You can't switch humans or use skills while the boulder-vanish-animation is happening, so it's good to stand on the trigger at a time when you would need to wait some other event anyway. (Note: Some triggers need more than one human standing on it to activate. Wheel counts as a human too.)
There are a few levels where the objective is to save an animal. For some reason, the animal can only be caught when it is walking to the right (that's strange programming).

Tricks & Bugs

Climb bug. This is the most useful bug in the whole movie. It requires three humans (A, B and C). Human A stands still the whole time. B climbs on top of A. Then B climbs down and C climbs up simultaneously. Now, B came down, but C got stuck on his way up. Then B climbs up. This causes C to continue climbing and C reaches the top (before B does). However, C is now registered as being on top of B, because B was the upmost guy when the whole process began. (C behaves as if there was an invisible human between A and C.) What would happen now is that B would finish climbing at his correct position between A and C. However, if C climbs down at the exact moment, B continues climbing upwards forever. If you kill A now, B falls down. (Note: Instead of killing A, you can also ride wheel on his toes.) Super effective shortcuts (upwards) are possible with this trick. The trick is used 43 times. The problem with this trick is that it wastes lives, so careful planning is needed to gain extra humans without losing much time.
Levitation (human floats still in the air) can be achieved in many ways. There are two types of falling in the game. The special type of falling (after releasing the wheel in mid-air or walking off the top of a human tower) allows input at the first frame of the fall. Pressing up at that exact moment causes leviation.
First levitate, then walk left or right to teleport. This makes your human appear in the left side of the level. Most levels have nothing there, so it usually results in death, but it can also be used as a huge shortcut in a few levels. Certain type of levels make the teleported human zip to the upper left corner of the level, which allows very cool routes.
There are many rope tricks available. The most effective one is abusing the fact that the humans walk automatically a bit when they reach the top of the rope. This can be used to make them walk in places that are out of reach otherwise. You can also kill the rope guy to duplicate the rope. Rope can be used as a tool for levitation and teleportation, although it's never done in this movie. Other rope tricks are not useful and can crash the game completely. (For future tasers: Test how many humans you need to win time with "continuous rope walking".)
Respawn tricks. When a human dies, it respawns back to the latest spot (of solid ground) it was standing on before it died, but there are some special cases. (1) Getting eaten by a beast respawns you to the edge of the beast's patrol area. (2) If human dies by fire, it gets respawned at the exact spot it died. This is used to respawn mid-air, avoiding a deadly fall in level 53.
Wheel tricks. You can survive a deadly fall by releasing the wheel before hitting the ground, heh, that is classic video game physics. Wheel can also be used as a tool for levitation (level 19) and teleportation.
Grabbing ladders while walking past them saves a few frames. Classic.
Collision abuse. With inhuman precision, spears can be thrown through solid ground.
A few more minor tricks exist: (1) falling on the bird causes no death no matter the height of the fall, (2) in certain special conditions you can stand in the middle of a ladder, (3) pressing up before turning around is faster than simply pressing left/right.

Making the movie

I started doing this in 2005. I thought that if I just started recording, something interesting would emerge. I have done most of my other movies while this movie was on hold. Sometimes I did a few levels in a day, but many times I got stuck for weeks or months in search for better solutions. Many levels were redone more than twice, because new bugs were discovered. I would have liked to provide a perfect movie, but the game is just too long and complex for that. I could save a few seconds right away, but it could take me months to do. Hex-editing works, but not perfectly. Coincidentally, the most used trick, the climb bug, causes most of the desynching. (I suppose desynching implies that there's some unknown (time related) variable that goes beyond the in-level physics. In other words: This movie will probably never be perfect.)
In the main menu I choose sound effects instead of music (you can't have both). The music would have become repetitive at some point and I think the sound effects make the movie easier to follow.

The end

I don't like the ending. I also don't like how this game depicts prehistoric events, evolution and women.
I recommend turning input display off to make the movie a bit simpler to watch. This is not your average dose of a platformer. It's a long movie, but there are funny moments here and there, so enjoy it as much as you can!

Level specific information

Empty objective box means that the level is completed simply by walking to the end. More comments may or may not be written later.
LevelTimeObjectiveBugs usedComments
10:41Discover the spear This is one of the longest levels.
20:26
30:09 Climb bug
40:20 I need to save an extra human to avoid Game Over later.
50:06Save a humanClimb bug
60:09Discover fireClimb bug
70:12 Climb bug
80:17 2x Climb bug
90:32Kill the beast (HP: 3) The beast bit me!
100:07 Climb bug
110:17 Climb bugI need to save a human to avoid extinction later.
120:16 Jump into the mouth of T-REX and choke it with spear!
130:06Discover the wheelClimb bug
140:07
150:22 The extra human is saved to avoid extinction later.
160:19Kill two beasts (both have 2 HP)Climb bug
170:30Kill the beast (HP: 1)Teleport
180:20Save a humanClimb bug
190:21 LevitationLevitation is used to stand slightly above the ground
200:20Save a humanClimb bugTo future tasers: Use more wheel, not spear.
210:12Save an animal
220:08Save a human Prehistoric stone wheel ninja!
230:10 Climb bug
240:10Discover the ropeClimb bug
250:22 Climb bug
260:29 Climb bugThis level introduces the shaman.
270:07Save a humanClimb bug
280:30 Climb bug
290:28Save a human
300:10Save a humanClimb bug
310:30 Climb bug
320:12Save a human Wheel bounces on the trigger and activates it temporarily
330:12
340:15 Teleport
350:09 Climb bug
360:21 Climb bug
370:12 Climb bug
380:08Save a humanClimb bug
390:22
400:13 Suicide jump on the trigger activates it temporarily
410:26 Climb bug
420:08 Climb bug
430:14Save an animalClimb bug
440:15
450:16 Climb bug
460:13 Climb bug
470:11 Climb bug
480:24Recover the idol3x teleport
490:21 Climb bug
500:32Kill the beast (HP: 2)2x collision abuse & teleport
511:06 Climb bugThis is the longest level.
520:08 Teleport
530:17Save a human Respawn trick with fire
540:03 This is the shortest level.
550:23Kill two beasts (both have 2 HP)
560:28
570:08
580:30 Teleport
590:46 Rope trick
600:10Save a human
610:16 Teleport
620:11Recover the idolClimb bug
630:56
640:29
650:09Save an animalTeleport
660:09 Climb bug
670:22
680:33 Rope trick
690:19 Climb bug
700:17 Climb bug
710:28Kill two beasts (both have 2 HP)Teleport
720:19Save a humanTeleport & climb bug
730:14 Climb bugTo future tasers: Use climb bug earlier.
740:29 Climb bug
750:24Recover the idolTeleportRope trick
760:27 5x teleport
770:06Save a humanClimb bug
780:29Save two humansTeleport & climb bug
790:18Save a humanClimb bug
800:19 Climb bug
Total in-game time is 25:30.

Movie attributes

  • plays at hardest level
  • aims for fastest time
  • uses death as a shortcut (Well, about 50 times, but it's not the ordinary death thing, because the player controls many impersonal units.)
  • abuses programming errors
  • genre: puzzle

adelikat: Accepting for Publication.

adelikat: Processing.


TASVideoAgent
They/Them
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This topic is for the purpose of discussing #1520: Aqfaq's Genesis Humans in 43:19.22
Senior Moderator
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TASing a game named Humans after a game named Gods… Man, your standards are falling!
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Editor, Expert player (2480)
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Haha, wow, that's a good one. I never thought about that. :)
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Alright, just watched it. The solutions were smart and everything was rather interesting, but in the second half it became tedious. I still enjoyed it, though, but it's a very borderline yes. On the downsides: lack of music, great length, long fadeouts and morph sequences. I also predict people's major discontent with screen jerking, even though it was ok with (and even good for) me. Random notes about the run: • the ways you dealt with dinosaurs were hilarious; • the ship in the ending scene reminded me of your Starflight run. I can't believe how everything is interconnected!
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Joined: 4/11/2006
Posts: 487
Location: North of Russia :[
wow, it did not feel all that long and boring as I expected. It was even funny sometimes~ I did not read submission text before watching, so I could not understand why kill all those humans, but now it looks like it's really well planned~
Twisted_Eye
He/Him
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Joined: 10/17/2005
Posts: 636
Location: Seattle, WA
I used to play this game, so watching this was even better. I knew just how frustrating this game can be firsthand, haha. Lots of really cool glitchwork here, tons of great finds! Eighty levels, though, dang, but it was entertaining for the large part, one way or another. Gotta give this a yes.
Player (73)
Joined: 12/20/2006
Posts: 154
Seriously, could you pick some GOOD genesis games for once? Aren't there enough shitty genesis games here at TASvideos? Anyhow, yes :-)
Active player (437)
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 3517
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Haha I thought this run was pretty entertaining and silly. Loved the sound of those cavemen when they completed a stage :) Voting yes.
Nitrogenesis wrote:
Guys I come from the DidyKnogRacist communite, and you are all wrong, tihs is the run of the mileniun and everyone who says otherwise dosnt know any bater! I found this run vary ease to masturbate too!!!! Don't fuck with me, I know this game so that mean I'm always right!StupedfackincommunityTASVideoz!!!!!!
Arc wrote:
I enjoyed this movie in which hands firmly gripping a shaft lead to balls deep in multiple holes.
natt wrote:
I don't want to get involved in this discussion, but as a point of fact C# is literally the first goddamn thing on that fucking page you linked did you even fucking read it
Cooljay wrote:
Mayor Haggar and Cody are such nice people for the community. Metro City's hospitals reached an all time new record of incoming patients due to their great efforts :P
Reviewer, Active player (288)
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Well, it was good, but it was long, and I'm sure if the run is good enough for the length of the game, so I'm going to abstain from voting.
Editor, Expert player (2480)
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stanski wrote:
Seriously, could you pick some GOOD genesis games for once?
No, I like bad games. Show me a bad (short) game and I'll do it immediately. I'm afraid there's not many good games left. Any ideas?
Experienced player (829)
Joined: 11/18/2006
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DARK CASTLE!!! Oh wait... nvm. Oh, I found a crappy one you might like. It's called Socket: Time dominator. I have no idea how long is though.
Living Well Is The Best Revenge My Personal Page
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mmbossman wrote:
Socket: Time dominator
I already love the name.
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Skilled player (1606)
Joined: 6/11/2006
Posts: 818
Location: Arboga, Sweden
You invented the wheel. You saved the queen. You had a creepy shaman on your side. I vote yes.
Warp wrote:
omg lol this is so fake!!!1 the nes cant produce music like this!
Experienced player (829)
Joined: 11/18/2006
Posts: 2426
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moozooh wrote:
mmbossman wrote:
Socket: Time dominator
I already love the name.
I created a thread on it a while ago that no one read, probably with good reason. It's a sonic ripoff with a duck who has an electrical cord for a tail. Yes you just read that right. EDIT: Anywho, about the run. I can only imagine how long this would have been if you hadn't so heavily abused bugs, especially the climbing bug. I watched it at school so I couldn't have the sound on and wasn't able to get that part of the movie, and the jerking back and forth between cavemen was horrible at a couple points, but thankfully it wasn't a constant problem. I've never been a huge fan of watching puzzle runs, but this one has enough action and humorous moments to keep it entertaining. So... strong meh or weak yes.... umm... I'll give it a weak yes.
Living Well Is The Best Revenge My Personal Page
Player (82)
Joined: 9/16/2006
Posts: 63
Oh, my. Level 12's polevault onto the dinosaur to kill it... You are my hero. This, and the rest of the incredible run scores an easy yes from me.
End of Line
Player (73)
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Posts: 154
(off topic slightly but still related to previous question, so skip if you don't want to see a genesis fanboy spouting out about games) good genesis games without a TAS: alisia dragoon shining force 2 castlevania: bloodlines monster world 4 soldiers of fortune revenge of shinobi ranger x phantasy star 2 and 4 landstalker crusader of centy beyond oasis alien soldier warsong mega turrican rolling thunder 2 Of course, knowing you, your next game will be "buck rogers: countdown to doomsday."
Editor, Expert player (2480)
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stanski wrote:
monster world 4
I have started it, but I'm afraid to continue recording, because I have no plan conserning gold and equipment. Any planning help would be appreciated.
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stanski wrote:
castlevania: bloodlines alien soldier
Already being worked on, if my informartion is correct.
Warp wrote:
Edit: I think I understand now: It's my avatar, isn't it? It makes me look angry.
Player (82)
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stanski wrote:
Of course, knowing you, your next game will be "buck rogers: countdown to doomsday."
Hey, Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday was awesome! Also, Shining Force I and II have been attempted... as of yet nobody has been able to manipulate combat well enough for it to be feasible. And Landstalker was attempted. It's far too long.
End of Line
Joined: 5/13/2006
Posts: 283
As others before me, I have to give this a weak yes; the solutions are very creative, but the run itself starts to get boring and repetitive towards the end.
<Zurreco> if so called professional players cant adapt to every playing field, theyre obviously not that great
Editor, Reviewer, Experienced player (980)
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Posts: 3109
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One question: on level 18, around frame 31970, could it be faster to have the rightmost guy jump to the right with the spear and then throw it back, instead of handing it over directly and walking to the right? It seemed like you used this solution (or a similar one) elsewhere.
Editor, Expert player (2480)
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Thanks. I'm (once again) very impressed at your ability to spot stuff like that. However, I can't quite understand what you mean. That may be due to my brain being used to certain kind of reasoning with this game, so that I can't see all the different types of possibilities. Afterall, it's a puzzle game, and I've watched those tiny guys do their stuff for quite long. I'll look into it later.
Truncated wrote:
It seemed like you used this solution (or a similar one) elsewhere.
The game is full of little details that force the perfect player to use different solutions for seemingly similar situations. Sometimes the same solution can be bad simply due to a different number of useless humans in the level. In level 18, there are 5 humans, but only 3 of them go for the climb bug. Because the humans can be switched in one direction only, 4 frames are lost every round without proper planning. Here's a hypotethical (but typical) example with 5 humans (though it's not necessarily related to what you had in mind): Human A (with a spear): jump, switch to B Human B: walk, start falling off a ledge, switch to C Human C: walk, start climbing a ladder, switch to D Useless human D: idle 1 frame and switch to E (This guy used 2 frames, because max speed for switching humans is 30hz.) Useless human E: idle 1 frame and switch to A (This guy used 2 frames.) Human A: If the previous jump still lasts more than 5 frames, idle 1 frame and switch to B. Otherwise: Start a new jump before switching to B. With more humans it can get much more complicated than this, so it's likely that I've made a few mistakes somewhere. Another typical situation: Spear-jump on a flat ground uses 6 idle frames, so 4 useless humans is enough to outweigh the benefit of switching between the jumps. More questions like that would be nice, although I can't guarantee an answer that makes sense.
Joined: 5/29/2004
Posts: 757
I guess I'm going to be the one to hate... I voted Meh.. and here's why. It appeared to be an interesting concept for a game... it's played well, obviously... but... well... alright... that bloody climbing glitch actually bored me to tears! That with certain other moments coming off as far too repetitive... it made my decision VERY difficult, so I actually thought this over for 2 days. It's not a bad movie perse... just honestly didn't totally thrill me. Not bad enough to rank No, but not great enough for a Yay... And I have tried watching this 2 more times to ensure it wasn't me just being tired the first time :( Sorry... but unlike most cowards, I figured I'd be honest about my vote, especially since it stands out. Mr. Kelly R. Flewin
Mr. Kelly R. Flewin Just another random gamer ---- <OmnipotentEntity> How do you people get bored in the span of 10 seconds? Worst ADD ever.
Joined: 5/13/2006
Posts: 283
Mr. Kelly R. Flewin wrote:
Sorry... but unlike most cowards, I figured I'd be honest about my vote, especially since it stands out.
I don't get why you have to be so defensive about voicing your opinion in response a highly subjective question. You should stick up for your convictions, and if anyone gives you flak, give it right back. Besides, it's not like others weren't close to voting Meh instead of Yes...
<Zurreco> if so called professional players cant adapt to every playing field, theyre obviously not that great
Former player
Joined: 1/17/2006
Posts: 775
Location: Deign
Meh vote. The tricks used were nifty, but the run was long and for the most part it was the same tricks over and over. If this were a 10 minute game I would give it a yes.
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