The Linear RPG Released

After years of speculation, a flurry of previews, and far more public relations hustling than we're accustomed to, The Linear RPG is officially here. Ok, so it's a ridiculously simple Flash game that nobody's ever heard of before, but that doesn't mean you can't see the satirical comedy being striven for here. As summarized by The Escapist:
The Linear RPG is exactly what it sounds like: Straight-line movement through a series of unchanging events that weave the tale of Kliche and his battle against the forces of evil. Controls are simple: The right arrow key advances players through the game while the left arrow moves back, affording gamers the opportunity to grind for XP. And believe it or not, it will be necessary; battles occur automatically as the player progresses, inexorably whittling down hit points, while experience points accrue and levels are added.

It's an amusing story, featuring rainbow-farting pegacorns, a shampoo dungeon, a bad guy in a leather bikini and alphabet spaghetti with the power of second sight, but more interesting is the way Houlden has managed to nail down the purest essence of the RPG: A relentless grind to the end of a simple tale. Even the writing, a bit dodgy throughout, is an appropriate if unintentional metaphor for the RPG experience.
Don't get caught with low hit points between inns!