A Hat in Time Review
I played A Hat in Time, an action game that has been popular on Steam.
Overall Evaluation: +1 (Recommended)
This is an extremely excellent action game, particularly with its well-balanced puzzle elements and world view. The characters have strong personalities, making the story enjoyable.
Overview
A Hat in Time is a 3D action game released on Steam in October 2017. It has nearly 8,000 reviews and boasts an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating.
The protagonist is an alien who uses the power of hats to progress through stages.
Good Points
The game has a pop and cute action style, but it's not just cute - it also has substance.
As a stage-clearing action game, the puzzle elements are well-integrated. You need to use the hat's abilities to progress, and sometimes you need to think a little or encounter unexpected objects, which is a nice touch. The puzzles aren't as difficult as those in Zelda, but the action is the main focus, and the puzzles are secondary, which reduces stress.
The story is pleasantly casual, with the protagonist causing trouble and solving problems in a carefree manner. It's not too taxing on the brain... or so it seems. As it's in English, Japanese players may have a different impression. However, it's not shallow, and there are many mysteries left unsolved, such as the equipment and environment inside the spaceship and the protagonist's life, which are hinted at but not fully explained.
The resources are also well-made. The protagonist's motions are adorable, and some stages have horror game-like performances that are impressive. The BGM is also excellent, with the main theme rearranged for each stage, creating a sense of unity. The effects of hitting enemies or objects are also enjoyable and enhance the world view.
The game is packed with content, but the overall volume is just right. You can play for around 20 hours, and there are many elements to explore. The freedom is high, so you can skip stages if you want.
Not-So-Good Points
While the game is overall high-quality, there are some rough parts.
Firstly, some puzzles can be solved by brute force, which feels a bit lazy. It's fun to solve puzzles through action, but it sometimes feels like the game is being too easy.
Additionally, the game can cause 3D motion sickness, similar to early PS1 games. The camera changes frequently, and there's no correction, so it may be difficult for some players.
Furthermore, the English pronunciation is quite noticeable. It's unclear whether it's intentional or not, but the dialogue is sometimes hard to hear.
Overall Evaluation
A Hat in Time is an excellent action game with a cute world view that's enjoyable to play. However, those who expect hardcore puzzles or are prone to 3D motion sickness may want to be cautious.
My overall evaluation is around +1.5, but I didn't end up buying the DLC, so I'll stick with +1.
