The Humans

The Humans

Overview & History

Released for the Sega Genesis in 1994 by GameTek, The Humans (originally known in Europe as Evolution: Dino Dudes) is a quirky, prehistoric puzzle-platformer developed by Imagitec Design. The storyline follows a primitive, blue-furred Neanderthal tribe tasked by their elder to evolve by completing a series of increasingly devious logic-based challenges across various epochs of ancient history. Unlike standard action platformers of the 16-bit era, success relies entirely on tribal cooperation, survival strategy, and sometimes callous sacrifice, rather than pure reflex-based combat.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Gameplay revolves around controlling multiple cavemen simultaneously on single-screen, multi-tiered stages. Players must guide a designated leader to the exit point while utilizing specific inventory items carried by tribe members—such as spears, torches, rocks, and ropes. A signature mechanic involves stacking human towers to reach high ledges, using ropes to swing across chasms, or using spears as vaulting poles and makeshift ladders by stabbing them horizontally into rock walls. If a character falls from too high or gets cornered by roaming dinosaurs and sabertooth tigers, they perish, though levels can often be beaten by sacrificing expendable tribe members to achieve the objective.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move character and select items
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump / Pick up and use items
• Enter: Start / Pause