TL;DR
A Hat in Time is a charming indie platformer that channels classic Nintendo vibes, where you play as Hat Kid collecting lost hourglasses. It boasts a delightful aesthetic and memorable boss fights, but its indie roots show with occasional visual simplicity and uneven level design. While controls are functional, they don't quite hit the precision of its Mario inspirations. However, its unique hat abilities, fun soundtrack, and strong female lead make it a sweet, accessible adventure. Curious to see if this homage to the GameCube era is worth your time? Dive into the full review to find out!
A Hat in Time is a charming 3D platformer centered around a young girl in a spaceship who loses her hourglasses – the ship’s power source. While reminiscent of the Power Moons in Super Mario Odyssey, the core appeal of platformers lies in the gameplay experience itself.
A Hat in Time presents an immediately endearing aesthetic. However, the game exhibits some inconsistencies, potentially stemming from resource limitations or development constraints. The visuals, while colorful and cartoonish, occasionally feature simplistic object and character models reminiscent of previous console generations. Level design also varies, ranging from ingenious to somewhat cluttered. The developers, Gears for Breakfast, have stated on Twitter that the game is a love letter to Nintendo’s GameCube, creating an interesting juxtaposition given its absence on Nintendo platforms. The boss encounters stand out as a highlight, offering engaging and often challenging gameplay, while the overall experience can be uneven.
The game frequently evokes comparisons to 3D Super Mario titles (particularly 64 and Galaxy) as a benchmark, perhaps even more so than franchises like Ratchet & Clank or Jax & Daxter. While the controls are generally functional, they lack the precision found in those titles, which is a crucial element within the platforming genre. The soundtrack is memorable, and the character vocalizations are arguably more appealing than some of the slightly generic sound samples, which nonetheless complement the game’s lighthearted tone. Its accessible nature makes it suitable for family enjoyment, featuring a strong female protagonist. Similar to Mario Odyssey, A Hat in Time incorporates hats as a central gameplay mechanic. Each hat provides unique abilities, such as indicating the next objective, enabling rapid movement, or providing projectile attacks.
The graphics in A Hat in Time are cute – but sometimes very simplistic.
Given that Humble Bundle is the publisher, and considering their ethos of supporting charity and offering attractive Humble Bundle packages with flexible pricing and charitable contributions, the game presents reasonable value for its price of 259 SEK. This is especially true for platforming enthusiasts seeking a new experience. However, it’s important to manage expectations and recognize that it doesn’t quite reach the level of AAA titles like Mario or Ratchet & Clank. A Hat in Time is an indie game with its own distinct charm, paying homage to classic consoles. This is reflected in both its strengths and weaknesses.
