House of Hazards

House of Hazards is a party game set in a house where everything is out to get you. You try to finish simple chores while the other players set off traps to stop you. It is one of the best-known browser games for two players, and it works on a single keyboard.

According to the developer, each player races to complete tasks around the house while the opponents watch and trigger hazards, such as falling lamps and swinging cabinets. When it is your turn to defend, you do the same to them. At the end of each round, a wheel of fortune decides a special rule for the next one.

The first screen says "Press anything to continue". The menu then has Play, Time Trial and Settings.

Play opens a setup screen called "Choose Amount". Player 1 is there already, and you press Add Player for each extra person. Every player gets a card showing their input type and their keys. With two players on a keyboard, the keys are:

Player 1: A left, D right, W jump, S fire / crouch.
Player 2: J left, L right, I jump, K fire / crouch.

You can add more players than two. The same screen has two switches: Play With Computers (yes or no), which fills the game with computer players, and Defense Only (yes or no).

After that, each player picks a character. Then the game offers a tutorial, which you can skip. We started it: the first lesson is called "Offense" and teaches you to move, jump, crouch and pick up other players. It takes place outdoors, and each character has their own key shown above their head. In our test, holding D ran Player 1 up to a picnic table, where the game asked for a jump with W.

We played through the setup and the start of the tutorial. We did not play a full round inside the house.

How to play

Press any key on the title screen, then choose Play.
On the "Choose Amount" screen, press Add Player so that there are two player cards. Check the keys on each card.
Decide whether to Play With Computers. Then press Next.
Each player picks a character. Press Play.
Do the tutorial the first time. It teaches you the moves in a minute or two.
According to the developer, in a round one side tries to finish its tasks while the others trigger hazards to stop them.

Controls

	Left	Right	Jump	Fire / crouch
Player 1	A	D	W	S
Player 2	J	L	I	K

Tips

Hold the keys to move. A quick tap barely moves your character.
Crouch under things, jump over things. Most hazards can be avoided with one or the other.
On defense, wait. A trap set off too early is easy to walk past. Trigger it when the other player is right under it.
Read the wheel. The rule it picks changes the next round, so check it before you start.
Turn on computer players if you want a busier house with only two people.

More party games for two on one keyboard: Drunken Wrestle, Basket Random and Tug The Table Classic.

Frequently asked questions

What are the controls in House of Hazards?

With two players on a keyboard, Player 1 uses A and D to move, W to jump and S to fire or crouch. Player 2 uses J and L to move, I to jump and K to fire or crouch. The setup screen shows each player's keys.

Can two people play House of Hazards on one keyboard?

Yes. Choose Play, then press Add Player on the setup screen. Each player gets their own set of keys.

How many players can play?

You can keep adding players on the setup screen, and you can also turn on computer players to fill the game.

Is there a single-player mode?

The menu has a Time Trial mode, and you can play with computer opponents by switching Play With Computers to yes.

What does the wheel do?

According to the developer, a wheel of fortune at the end of each round sets the rule for the next round.