Bad Rats: the Rats’ Revenge

When most people talk about their favorite video games, they mention titles like "The Legend of Zelda," "Minecraft," or "The Last of Us." But for me, none of those games even come close to the masterpiece that is Bad Rats. Yes, you heard that right. Bad Rats, a game that many consider to be a quirky, sometimes awkward puzzle game, is, without a doubt, the best game in the world. In fact, I’d go as far as to say it’s the greatest thing that has ever happened to me—not just in terms of entertainment, but also in how it has impacted my life in ways no one could ever imagine. It’s not just a game. It’s a life-changer.
Let me tell you why.
Before Bad Rats entered my life, I was struggling with a lot of things. I felt lost, like nothing was going right. I was going through some personal battles that seemed insurmountable, and the weight of everything felt like it was crushing me. The future didn’t seem bright, and at one point, I even felt that I had nowhere to turn. Life had me on the ropes.
That’s when Bad Rats came into the picture. At first, it was just a random game I picked up, not expecting much. But as soon as I started playing, something clicked. It wasn’t just the puzzles or the humor. It was something deeper, something I didn’t even realize I needed. Bad Rats offered me an escape—one that was fun and challenging but never overwhelming. More importantly, it gave me a sense of purpose and joy at a time when I had almost lost both.
As I played, I started to feel like I had a reason to keep going. It wasn’t just about solving puzzles or watching these funny, ragtag rats try to complete their missions—it was about feeling connected to something, anything, when everything else in life seemed so uncertain. Every victory in the game felt like a little win in real life, a reminder that maybe things could get better.
But the impact of Bad Rats wasn’t just limited to me. My grandparents, who had been struggling with their own issues for years, were also on the verge of giving up. Their marriage had gone through turbulent times, and they didn’t know how to rekindle their bond. They were at a crossroads, unsure if they would be able to stay together. That’s when I introduced them to Bad Rats. At first, they were skeptical, but slowly, they got hooked. The simple joy of playing together, laughing at the rats' absurd antics, and sharing that experience became a turning point for them. Bad Rats brought them closer than they had been in years, rekindling their love and reminding them of the importance of fun and companionship.
It was incredible. A simple game helped save their marriage. Bad Rats became more than just a pastime for them—it became a tool for healing, for bonding, and for rediscovering the joy of life.
I have no doubt in my mind that if it weren't for Bad Rats, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t be the person I’ve become. I wouldn’t have the strength or the will to keep moving forward. Bad Rats didn’t just offer me a distraction; it offered me a lifeline.
I used to think that if things kept spiraling down, I would end up on the streets—lost and without a future. But Bad Rats pulled me back. It reminded me that life could still be fun, that there was joy to be found even in the darkest moments. And more than that, it gave me a purpose. It gave me something to look forward to. The satisfaction of figuring out each level, of seeing the hilarious outcomes of each puzzle I solved, kept me motivated to press on.
The game became my refuge, my sanctuary from the chaos that often seemed to surround me. It gave me hope, and it gave me direction when I felt like I had none. The idea of losing everything no longer felt so certain, because Bad Rats showed me that there was always a way forward, no matter how challenging things seemed.
So, here I am today, not living on the streets, not lost in the despair I once felt, and certainly not the person I used to be. And I owe it all to Bad Rats. It’s not just a game; it’s a reminder of the power of joy, the strength of human connection, and the importance of having something to believe in—even if it’s a group of animated rats trying to solve impossible puzzles.
Bad Rats might not be the game that everyone talks about, but for me, it will always be the best game in the world. It saved my life, it saved my grandparents' marriage, and it continues to be a source of comfort and joy in a world that sometimes feels too complicated and overwhelming. If you haven’t played it yet, maybe it’s time you gave it a try. You never know—the next great thing that saves your life might just be waiting for you in the form of a rat.

Bad Rats is not a very good game. It's a worse The Incredible Machine. It has non-deterministic initial states (just try to get some of these levels to act the same one run after another). The stupid ball can bounce out into the foreground for seemingly no reason. The music is objectively terrible, and the graphics are ugly outside of some admittedly amusing and occasionally we'll animated cat death animations. I even found that if you pause the game at just the right time when a level is loading, you softlock the game.
And yet, I played it for 5 hours. I beat all the puzzles. I went back and optimized solutions to unlock all the achievements.
I saw the mists parted. Witnessed what lies beyond mere "gaming"... A post-modernist Itchy & Scratchy-esque fever dream where rats smoke and play baseball, and cats get microwaved. On the other side of the veil, in the crude animated cat deaths, the offensive jihadist suicide bomber rat, the seemingly random physics engine... For a moment I glimpse the soul of an artist, a transcendent moment beyond mere mortal programming and game design. I grasp for the truth of what makes a game great and what makes a game bad, reaching into the deep void at the center of Bad Rats, staring into an abyss that I both fear and desire. My mastery of Bad Rats was surpassed only by the sublimity of Bad Rats's own mastery over the genre we know as "video games".
And then the moment was gone. Bad Rats is simply Bad Rats again. And Bad Rats is not a very good game.
This will be my first and only review, because I don't think any game, good or bad, can compare to the pure, bewildering experience of Bad Rats. If you are about to play this game for the first time, I both envy and pity you.
10/10

I do not remember buying this game and I certainly don't remember playing it. 10/10

This is one of the greats. An absolutely fantastic puzzle game with intricate and well thought out obstacles. This game is unique in the respect that it gives the player far more than they would typically need to succeed. Herein lies the most genius part of the game, the title. Are the rats bad, or are you?

A chaotic physics puzzle game that’s rough around the edges but weirdly entertaining. Its bizarre charm makes it memorable in its own way.

My quality of life increased after playing this game. I realized that there is more to life than just living. There is bad rats.

this game was the most awesome sauce game me as a gamer has ever played Quality is better then black ops 6, helldivers 2, space marine 2, and Cyberpunk 2077 Combined.