Human Resource Machine is a puzzle programming game developed and published by Tomorrow Corporation. Released in October 2015, it teaches fundamental programming concepts through increasingly complex office-themed puzzles. Players are an office worker who must automate tasks using a visual programming language with simple commands like copy, add, subtract, and jump. Each level presents a data processing challenge that must be solved by writing a correct program on the office floor. The game progressively introduces concepts like loops, conditionals, and indirect addressing. Its charming art style by Kyle Gabler features the same aesthetic as World of Goo and Little Inferno. With 41 puzzles and optional optimization challenges for both speed and program size, it appeals to both programming beginners and experienced developers looking for brain-teasing challenges.
Educational Games
Human Resource Machine teaches real programming concepts through charming office-themed puzzles, progressively introducing loops, conditionals, and data manipulation.
Game Details
PlatformsPC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile
GenrePuzzle, Programming
DeveloperTomorrow Corporation
Released2015
Critic Score78/100
MultiplayerNo
Cross-PlatformNo
Game EngineCustom Engine
MicrotransactionsNo
4.1
1 reviews
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
4.1/5
Human Resource Machine is a clever little game that makes assembly-level programming concepts genuinely entertaining. Tomorrow Corporation wraps data processing challenges in a charming office dystopia aesthetic, and the visual programming interface is intuitive enough that non-programmers can engage while still providing satisfying depth for experienced coders. The 41 puzzles escalate elegantly from simple data copying to loops, conditionals, and indirect addressing, creating genuine eureka moments. The optional optimization challenges -- minimizing both program length and execution steps -- add meaningful replay value and will delight efficiency-obsessed minds. However, the game is quite short, and the difficulty spike in later levels can feel abrupt. Players with programming experience may breeze through too quickly, while complete novices might hit a wall. The art style and dark humor are delightful but the narrative framing is thin. A niche but well-crafted puzzle experience that genuinely teaches while entertaining.