Humanity Asset

Humanity Asset is a sci-fi action-platformer game released in 2014 for Windows, developed by Browny Application. Set in a future where aliens have invaded Earth to strip its resources to save their dying planet, the game combines Metroid-style exploration with classic shoot ’em up gameplay. Players navigate large, non-linear environments through running, jumping, shooting, and sliding, reminiscent of the Mega Man series. The narrative unfolds through pre-mission dialogues and action-packed missions, with players taking on the role of humanity’s last hope against the alien invasion.

Humanity Asset: Review

Introduction

In the crowded landscape of 2014 indie games, Humanity Asset arrived with a deceptively simple premise: aliens invade Earth to plunder its resources, saving their dying planet. But beneath this familiar sci-fi trope lies a twist that promises subversion. Developed by Browny Application and published by KISS Ltd., the game positions itself as a “Metroid-style 3D platformer” that pays homage to retro shoot ’em ups, boasting 16 levels, over 400 stages, and a multitude of weapons. Yet, its true legacy is one of unfulfilled potential. This review will dissect Humanity Asset as a product of its time, examining its narrative ambitions, mechanical execution, technical flaws, and enduring place in gaming history. Despite flashes of brilliance, the game ultimately emerges as a fragmented artifact—a cautionary tale of homage without mastery.

Development History & Context

Browny Application, an obscure studio with little prior documented work, crafted Humanity Asset during a pivotal moment in indie gaming. Released on February 20, 2014, the game arrived amid a surge of Metroidvania-inspired titles, capitalizing on the genre’s resurgence fueled by titles like Guacamelee! and Axiom Verge. Its publisher, KISS Ltd., specialized in budget digital distribution, aligning with the era’s trend of affordable PC storefronts. Technologically, the game operated on modest requirements: Shader Model 2.0, targeting Windows XP/7/8 with specs as low as a GeForce 6600 GPU. This reflected a deliberate choice to emulate retro aesthetics while accommodating older hardware. However, this focus also constrained its design; the “3D platformer” label was misleading, often reducing to 2D side-scrolling with limited depth. The gaming landscape of 2014 demanded polish and innovation—qualities Humanity Asset struggled to deliver, foreshadowing its niche reception.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Humanity Asset‘s narrative unfolds as a slow-burn identity crisis, beginning with a standard alien invasion trope. The Siend, a desperate alien species, attack Earth to strip its resources, leaving humanity in disarray. Players initially assume the role of a human soldier in power armor, searching for missing scientists—including the protagonist’s brother. This expectation shatters in the ruined metropolis, where a scientist reveals a devastating truth: the protagonist isn’t human but a Mirin, a previously unknown alien species. The Mirin had been covertly aiding human research before the Siend invasion, creating a triangular conflict where the protagonist is hunted by both factions. The story, while thematically rich—exploring resource scarcity, cross-species cooperation, and the cost of survival—suffers from a catastrophic pacing failure. As critic Pierre-Yves L. notes, it takes hours for the narrative to cohere, leaving players adrift in nonsensical early scenes (e.g., a scientist’s line, “You know my language?”). This confusion undermines emotional investment, reducing the thematic depth to academic curiosity rather than immersive storytelling.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Humanity Asset‘s gameplay is split into two contrasting modes: pre-mission exploration and mission-based action. The former involves traversing linear hallways and listening to dialogue, a tedious interlude that “drags” (Digitally Downloaded). The latter delivers satisfying retro-inspired combat: 360-degree shooting, slide mechanics, and platforming challenges reminiscent of Mega Man. The combat loop shines with fluid mechanics; players can shoot over their shoulders, dodge behind cover for health regeneration, and upgrade weapons by scavenging parts. Over 40 guns are customizable, allowing players to tailor arsenals for playstyle—whether favoring heavy artillery or mobility-focused hacking. Level design excels in verticality and non-linearity, offering multiple paths via jumping or sliding. However, the 400+ stages often feel bloated, and technical issues plague execution. Windows 8 crashes, resolution errors, and mouse-edge crashes (where clicking near screen borders windows the game) persist. Control schemes are another weakness: keyboard-and-mouse support is “awful” (Metacritic user), and native controller support is absent, betraying the game’s retro aspirations. While combat remains “fun” and non-frustrating, these flaws erode the core experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world-building is functional but underdeveloped. Environments transition from a sterile space station to war-torn Earth—mountains, empty camps, and city ruins. These locales are visually cohesive but unremarkable, with 2D sprites clashing against rudimentary 3D backdrops. The maze-like level design emphasizes exploration, though repetition sets in across 16 areas. Art direction leans into gritty sci-fi realism, with alien soldiers and human soldiers rendered in muted palettes that evoke post-apocalyptic desolation. Sound design, however, is minimal and unmemorable. DirectX-compatible audio serves its purpose without distinction, and environmental ambience is sparse. The soundtrack, if present, goes unremarked in sources, leaving a void where atmospheric tension should thrive. While the game successfully creates a sense of isolation on Earth, its visuals and sounds lack the polish to elevate it beyond functional mediocrity.

Reception & Legacy

Upon release, Humanity Asset garnered mixed-to-negative reception. Digitally Downloaded awarded it a 60/100, praising combat while criticizing the narrative’s opacity and technical instability. Metacritic lists no critic scores, but user reviews averaged a dismal 2.0/10, citing “awful controls” and false advertising as a “Metroidvania.” Steam’s launch reviews were “Mixed” (43% positive), but over time, sentiment soured. Steambase reports a “Mostly Negative” aggregate (31/100) from 508 reviews, with users complaining about crashes and unfulfilled promises. Community forums reveal enduring frustration: players struggle with mission progression and bugs years after release. Commercially, the game was a footnote, priced at $1.99 and selling modestly. Its legacy is one of cautionary obscurity—a title remembered for its flaws rather than its merits. It occupies a niche in discussions of ambitious but flawed indie games, yet has no documented influence on subsequent titles. The game persists in bargain bins and abandonware lists, a relic of an era where scope often outpaced execution.

Conclusion

Humanity Asset embodies the paradox of 2014 indie development: ambitious ideas constrained by limited resources and execution. Its combat system and level design offer moments of genuine fun, harkening back to retro shooters with modern conveniences like health regeneration. Yet, these strengths are repeatedly undermined by a muddled narrative that takes too long to cohere and technical issues that mar the experience. The game’s core twist—an alien protagonist fighting for Earth—holds thematic promise but is buried under confusing delivery. While it may captivate players seeking a budget Metroidvania for a few hours, its broken mechanics and lack of polish prevent it from being a lasting classic. In the annals of gaming history, Humanity Asset stands as a curiosity: a flawed homage that reminds us that homage without innovation is merely imitation. For historians, it serves as a case study in the challenges of translating retro concepts into modern frameworks—a reminder that technical polish and narrative clarity are inseparable from artistic vision. Ultimately, it is a product of its time, preserved not for its brilliance, but for the lessons it failed to teach.