Help a little robot cross nine alien islands, outwit hungry creatures and solve the mystery of his vanished partner.
Humwin & Darbold is a small puzzle adventure about a robot named Humwin. He touches down on an alien planet to meet his partner Darbold, but Darbold is nowhere to be found. You guide Humwin across a string of purple islands covered in curly plants, buzzing flies and some very hungry green monsters.
There’s no combat. Instead, you learn how the creatures behave and use that knowledge to move forward. The mystery of Darbold’s disappearance is the heart of the game.
Getting around
Holding down on the ground sends Humwin walking toward that point. When you let go, he completes his current step. The camera follows as you travel across nine islands linked in a long, winding line.
Red ground surrounds the islands, and Humwin can’t step on it. To move between islands, follow the thin land bridges where they meet.
You pick up objects just by walking over them. They show up in a bar along the bottom of the screen. Click or tap an icon to drop that item right next to Humwin.
Dangers on the islands
Each island has its own mix of threats. Green monsters roam freely, walk in circles or patrol in straight lines. If Humwin comes into view, they rush at him. Some islands are ringed by snakes that bite anything that gets too close.
Being caught isn’t the end. A monster gulps Humwin down for a moment, then spits him out a short distance away. Monsters will just as happily eat a flower you’ve dropped, which turns out to be very useful.
Strategy notes
- Use flowers as bait. A monster chases the nearest food. Place a flower in its path, then slip past while it eats.
- Stock up early. Flowers grow near the snake rings on several islands. Carry a few for tight spots later.
- Time the loops. Some monsters follow fixed paths. Wait until one passes, then walk behind it.
- Give snakes space. They stay in place, so a wide path around them is always safe.
Good to know
The final island holds the item you’re looking for, guarded by a pair of monsters looping around it in opposite ways. Plan your approach before heading in. The whole game uses hand-drawn art shown from an angled overhead camera. Humwin chats along the way, and you can click or tap to skip to his next line.
Controls
| Action | Mouse | Touch |
|---|---|---|
| Walk toward a spot | Hold the button down on the ground | Keep your finger on the ground |
| Skip to the next speech line | Click and release | Tap |
| Drop a carried item | Click its icon in the bar at the bottom | Tap its icon in the bar at the bottom |
Humwin & Darbold FAQ
Does Humwin & Darbold work on phones and Chromebooks?
Yes. On a phone or tablet, rest your finger on the ground to make Humwin walk, and tap item icons to drop them. It fills the screen in portrait or landscape. On a Chromebook, hold the mouse button or trackpad down on the ground to move.
Can I lose?
No. There are no lives and no game over. A monster that grabs Humwin keeps him only briefly before releasing him a few steps away, so you can try again as many times as you need.
What should I do if I'm stuck?
Pay attention to what Humwin says after he gets swallowed, since his comments point toward the answer. Also study the first island's motionless monster. It only cares about a certain object found far away.
How long is the game?
It is a short adventure spread across nine connected islands. How long it takes depends mostly on how quickly you work out the central puzzle of getting a monster to give back what it ate.
