Tax Time!, a Flash-based Satirical Action Experience

Tax Time! is a flash animation action experience created by Newgrounds.com programmer Falcon. Artwork for this submission was done by Newgrounds.com user MindChamber. Song tracks used for this submission were also created by Newgrounds.com users. The song titles and creators include Soviet National Anthem [8-Bit] by jiffypop23 and Air Balloons. by NeoDeadlyRave. This satirical tax-inspired creation was submitted to Newgrounds.com on February 18, 2010 and won a Daily 2nd Place award on February 19, 2010.

Game Background

It is that time of year again when everyone is busy trying to get their forms and numbers in order so they can deliver their taxes on time. Get your things together and submit your taxes on time.

Gameplay

The game has a pretty straightforward objective that is rather obvious right from the start. Once you click on the Play button, you will be in control of a man in a yellow shirt and blue pants. To the right of the screen is a container of what is supposedly gasoline, or at least some sort of inflammable material, most probably a liquid. The center of the screen shows a house that is supposedly owned by the man that you are in control of (the one in a yellow shirt and blue pants). To the right of the screen is an airplane. The rest of the background is rather plain, with a few clouds in the sky and no other houses around.

To control the man in the yellow shirt and blue pants, simply move your mouse in the direction that you want the man to walk towards. Walking towards the plane will result in the man's response to this action with "There is something I must do first." You must then figure out what this "something" is before you can take off in the aircraft. Walking over to the container of inflammable material triggers the man to pick up the container and hold it over his head, with an expression on his face that seems to convey anger, rage, and vengeance. Clicking with your mouse will allow you to spray the inflammable liquid in the direction that the container's nozzle is facing. You must decide what it is the man would like to put inflammable material on.

You can try the plane, but it becomes obvious that the man wishes to cover the house in the inflammable liquid. Shooting the inflammable liquid at the house will cause the percentage value that is displayed at the top-left hand corner of the house to increase. Get the value to become one hundred percent to continue.

You will now see an oversized match at the left hand side of the screen, where the container of inflammable liquid once was. The man's hands are now empty. Walking over to the match will cause the man to pick up the match. It is now quite apparent, if it was not before, that the man intends to set the house on fire. Click near the house to set the house on fire and be rewarded with a medal.

Now you can finally board the plane and fly away, supposedly to deliver your taxes. Move your mouse up and down to change the altitude of the plane. A value at the top-right hand side of the screen will indicate the altitude of the aircraft.

Along the way, you will see a car driving on the street over which you are flying. Crashing your aircraft into this vehicle will result in a second medal.

At the end of the plane's run, the value of the altitude will decrease significantly, and you will see a building, supposedly owned by the IRS, approaching. The plane will crash into the building, resulting in your third medal.

Game Review

Tax Time! is a short satirical action experience that may trigger a few giggles here and there. The entire simulation lasts a few minutes, and other than the small potential for laughs, the end of the simulation will leave hard core gamers feeling empty. Tax Time! is great for a short break, but not what a gamer would be looking for.