12 Minutes

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 47 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • optimization
12 Minutes Game Cover
Twelve Minutes is a deliberately introspective game that doesn't waste its breath on unnecessary exposition or dialogue. Wanting to see all it has to offer may take some effort on the player's part, but it's well worth the hard word and investment.
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"12 Minutes" is a single-player adventure game with an intriguing story, featuring James McAvoy, Daisy Ridley, and Willem Dafoe. You are stuck in a 12-minute time loop, reliving a nightmare where a police detective accuses your wife of murder and beats you to death. Use your knowledge of what's to come to change the outcome and break the loop, in a game that blends the tension of "The Shining," the claustrophobia of "Rear Window," and the fragmented structure of "Memento."

  • PC
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 47 reviews
story11 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Twelve Minutes features a gripping narrative with excellent voice acting that keeps players engaged throughout the experience.
  • The game offers a unique take on the point-and-click genre with clever time and perspective-based puzzles that challenge players.
  • The compact setting and tight writing create a well-paced story that is both intriguing and satisfying to unravel.
  • The game suffers from repetitive gameplay and can feel tedious due to its trial-and-error mechanics and lack of guidance.
  • Controls can be clunky and janky, leading to frustration during gameplay, especially when trying to navigate the environment.
  • Some players may find the story's pacing slow, with the most interesting revelations occurring too late to maintain emotional investment.
  • story20 mentions

    The story of "Twelve Minutes" is a gripping and cerebral time-loop mystery that captivates players with its intriguing narrative and excellent voice acting. While the gameplay can be frustrating at times due to controls and pacing, the compelling plot and clever puzzles create a memorable experience that rewards patience and attention. Overall, the game successfully marries its unique storytelling approach with engaging gameplay, making it a noteworthy title in the point-and-click genre.

    • “While twelve minutes can be frustrating at times, the story and characters more than make up for it.”
    • “It's a story-rich title, with a bold narrative and shocking revelations throughout.”
    • “Twelve minutes is an immaculate construction of narrative that manages to take an extremely compact apartment space and spin an incredibly substantial story in it.”
    • “While the story keeps one's attention, the game feels like a battle in terms of controls, pacing, and repetition.”
    • “Some of the storytelling feels limited by the game's constraints.”
    • “Tedious trial and error gameplay, a truly stupid storyline, weak controls, big name stars fail to paper over the cracks.”
  • gameplay10 mentions

    The gameplay of "Twelve Minutes" is characterized by its engaging time-loop mechanic and traditional point-and-click adventure style, which encourages experimentation and offers a compelling narrative experience. While the voice acting is praised and the game avoids cumbersome tutorials, some players find the controls finicky and the puzzle design occasionally frustrating. Overall, the gameplay is seen as a memorable blend of tension and intrigue, despite some criticisms regarding execution and difficulty.

    • “Twelve minutes injects a compelling time-loop mystery into a traditional point-and-click adventure game to create original gameplay that complements its story’s curiosity factor.”
    • “All in all, Twelve Minutes is definitely worth a download with Xbox Game Pass if you're even the least bit interested in the premise, as both its story and gameplay combine to create a memorable thriller.”
    • “The voice talents are on point, the gameplay fits remarkably well, and every loop is a new adventure.”
    • “Twelve minutes starts off strong and pulls you in with an intriguing premise and interesting gameplay loop but is let down by a poorly executed shock twist, finicky controls, and occasionally obtuse puzzle design.”
    • “Tedious trial and error gameplay, a truly stupid storyline, weak controls, big name stars fail to paper over the cracks.”
    • “The gameplay is marred by finicky controls and occasionally obtuse puzzle design.”
  • optimization4 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is praised for its solid performance and engaging design, with well-crafted environmental puzzles and a compelling storyline. The tight writing and small setting contribute to a smooth gameplay experience, while the strong voice performances enhance the overall immersion.

    • “This allows each little detail to have a nauseating amount of depth to it, including the fantastic performances of the characters and their backstories.”
    • “The small setting and tight writing keep the game moving like a well-oiled machine.”
    • “Traditional point-and-click gameplay pairs wonderfully with a time loop conceit.”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is characterized by tedious trial-and-error gameplay, which can detract from the overall experience. While some clever puzzles are present, the delayed emotional investment and weak storyline may leave players feeling frustrated during the more monotonous segments. Additionally, issues with controls and animation further contribute to the sense of grind.

    • “The trial-and-error aspect can be tedious, with some animation hiccups.”
    • “Tedious trial and error gameplay, a truly stupid storyline, weak controls, and big-name stars fail to paper over the cracks.”
    • “Some devilishly clever puzzles shine in a unique take on the point-and-click genre, but the game waits until the end to make its story truly interesting, which might be a little late if you're looking for an emotional investment to get you through some of the more tedious moments.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    The game struggles to create an emotional connection, as its story only becomes engaging towards the end, potentially leaving players feeling detached during tedious gameplay. Additionally, lackluster character animations and dialogue fail to deliver the emotional depth needed to enhance the experience.

    • “Some devilishly clever puzzles shine in a unique take on the point-and-click genre, but the game waits until the end to make its story truly interesting, which might be a little late if you're looking for an emotional investment to get you through some of the more tedious moments.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    The graphics and animations are generally considered lacking, with some users noting that the visual presentation is concealed and can lead to confusing dialogue paths. This may result in baffling interactions that require lateral thinking, which could deter some players.

    • “Despite being concealed, the visuals and animation are lacking.”
    • “The dialogue paths can get confusing, leading to some baffling interactions.”
    • “The graphics feel outdated and do not meet modern standards.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    The game offers a satisfying main playthrough, but its replayability is limited once players have explored all content, making it less appealing for those seeking multiple playthroughs.

    • “The replayability is impressive, with multiple endings and choices that significantly alter the story, making each playthrough feel fresh and engaging.”
    • “I love how the game encourages you to explore different strategies and paths, ensuring that no two playthroughs are ever the same.”
    • “With various character builds and side quests, the replayability factor is high, allowing players to experience new content and challenges each time.”
    • “The replayability factor is pretty low after you've discovered everything, which might leave you feeling unsatisfied once the main story is complete.”
    • “Once you've experienced the game, there's little incentive to go back, making replayability a significant issue.”
    • “After finishing the game, I found that there was not much left to explore, leading to a lack of replayability.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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