Review for A has in time. Game for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 05/10/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 31/12/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 06/12/2017 The version for Xbox One came out on 06/12/2017
There's an unexpected red thread that connects two seemingly very different titles like Super Mario Odyssey and indie A Hat in Time and no, we're not just talking about the bizarre passion for hats from both development teams. The inspiration that moved Gears for Breakfast derives in fact from the great 3D platformers of the 32 and 128 bit era: Super Mario 64, Banjo-Kazooie and Crash Bandicoot just to name a few. This inspiration, let us tell you, you can see it all. The fluidity of the platforming, the level design, the artistic choices: everything brings to mind those glorious years, at the same time implementing a wise operation of modernization of some mechanics that are no longer current. Here, already from this brief introduction you will have understood that A Hat in Time is a title that certainly deserves your attention. Let's explore together the new title of Gears for Breakfast, we promise you that it will be worth it.
Leaving aside the plot itself, very simple and light in terms of themes and tones, what is really striking about A Hat in Time is how it is told. In fact, irony is the element on which Gears for Breakfast wanted to focus and on more than one occasion we will find ourselves dealing with absolutely funny and over the top characters. There are also numerous references to pop culture and there are even moments in which you will shout "kawai!" even if you are not at all giappofili. Add to this that each world in which you will be catapulted has its own (albeit minimal) background and you will get a very heterogeneous game universe in its various parts, but at the same time consistent in the way it presents itself to the public.
The real highlight of the production, however, is precisely in the platforming mechanics: Gears for Breakfast has worked hard to offer a fluid and reactive control system so that the results obtained are, in our opinion, definitely surpassing what was done with Yooka-Laylee; which is remarkable when you consider that the team behind it is made up of veterans from Rare. To learn how to perform a sequence of jumps, shots and climbs it will take very little time and, thanks to a camera that follows the character well, the errors due to perspective are reduced to the bone. All this was created according to the level design of A Hat in Time, which on more than one occasion surprised us for the level of challenge it offers and for the ability to develop both vertically and horizontally.
A level design that is used to present a fair number of mission types which, although always centered on platforming dynamics, represent a pleasant variation on the theme. So here it is that it will happen to have to deal with simple stealth dynamics or even to compete against the stopwatch: nothing that the Super Mario 3D have not already done over the years, but seeing it re-proposed with such a high level of quality by an independent team is very welcome thing. This allows, ultimately, to always keep the interest of the players high and to avoid the dangerous demon of boredom, unfortunately always around the corner when it comes to platforming. And the bosses at the end of the level? There are and they are also quite challenging to defeat, with diversified attack patterns and frequent changes of perspective.
As in any self-respecting platformer, there is no shortage of power-ups, which take two forms: that of hats and that of pins, which thanks to the appropriate combinations will give access to a wide range of skills. The power-ups will be unlocked with the continuation of the adventure and will be essential to be able to complete specific missions or collect some objects; the hats will also change the look of the nice Hat Girl and it will be possible to customize the color pattern. Once you get a hat, it will remain with us forever and part of the platforming mechanics will be based on the use of the most suitable accessory for what will be happening on the screen.
A Hat in Time can undoubtedly be defined as a little gem. Of course, it doesn't bring any innovation within the genre and its longevity is a bit tight. The way in which it is proposed to the player, however, closely resembles triple A productions of "companies" like Nintendo or Rare. This can also be identified in the technical sector, which on several occasions appears original and extremely accurate, as well as in the selection of songs that make up the soundtrack. If this is Gears for Breakfast's first job, we can't wait to see what the team has in store for the future.
► A Hat in Time is a platform-type game developed by Gears for Breakfast and published by Humble Bundle for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 05/10/2017 The version for Nintendo Switch came out on 31/12/2018 The version for PlayStation 4 came out on 06/12/2017 The version for Xbox One came out on 06/12/2017
Our latest game news: A Hat In Time Achievement Guide
