I believe it is said that time is relative. Well, it’s really relative to this fun and cute platformer called A Hat in Time. This game has been in the works for a long time and I’ve been super excited waiting for it to come out. We could experience a resurgence of platformers with the release of ones like this and Crash Bandicoot as well as the new Mario game. So what is “A Hat in Time” all about? Well, let me tell you. This is our A Hat In Time Review.
A Hat in Time is a platformer where you play a quiet little girl who has the ability to wield strange magical hats. She must go around to different worlds collecting the hourglasses that have fallen from her spaceship. Now that is not the only thing you will find yourself collecting along the way. You will also need to collect gems for badges, yarn to make hats, and tickets to unlock vaults. In the truest essence of platformer games, collecting items is a big part of the game.
The controls in the game are very good. I had no problem playing it with mouse and keyboard or controller. All the basics of controls are there from jumping to attacking. The real variety comes in using your hat powers though. So far I have stumbled upon ones that increase speed and make explosions. Both very fun to use and sometimes can be the key to finding secret areas or hidden items. Currently, I am searching out a way to acquire my third hat. You will have no problem with camera controls in the game either. I know back when I was younger that would be the bane of most platforming 3d platforming titles but here it is not.
Another good side to A Hat in Time is the cast of characters you will meet along the way. So far they have been funny, a little strange, but all around enjoyable. It took me a while to realize that the one little girl named Mustache girl had a mustache. I thought for a bit it was her ponytails making one. This game is super colorful in the best ways. Artistically this game is very beautiful. The levels are open and freely adventure-able to roam across with no set path unless you use the hat to tell you where your objective is.
If I only have one gripe with the game it is that we get another silent protagonist again. I would figure that having one of those would get tired and old by now but it is a method of storytelling that allows the main character to really express themselves through action rather than with words. I can understand why it may be done and that this is really just me being nitpicky. I just think it would be fun to have a platformer where the main character does speak every now and then. This gripe doesn’t detract from the fun of the game.
Conclusively this is A Hat in Time is a really fun game that provides both laughs and challenge. It has been a while since I actually got to sit down and play a platformer and I’m happy this is the one that brought me back into it. It brought me back to the fun I had in other platformer games like Blinx the Time Sweeper and Mario. I would rank this up in my top favorites along with those two and Crash for the fun, laughs and challenging boss fights. Took me 3 tries to beat the first boss. Got really close each time but he always got me in the end. When a game can bring about those kind of emotions but also stay fun and enjoyable, that’s how you know it’s really good in my book. You never want to give up and only want to keep trying til you beat it.
Note: Our copy was reviewed on PC with a code provided by PR.
