60 Seconds!
- May 25, 2015
- Robot Gentleman Studios
- 5h median play time
60 Seconds! offers up a different way to play a strategy game features some light-hearted gameplay and a brief time sink. However, gameplay quickly contradicts itself, and the port work offers little help to the cause. There is some fun and some charm, but it's very short lived.
As Ted, a responsible citizen and a family man, you are faced with a slight disturbance to your happy, suburban lifestyle. THE NUCLEAR APOCALYPSE.With only 60 seconds left to impact, guide Ted in a mad, intense and action packed dash through his house in search of his family and useful supplies. Everything will be against you - time, your very own furniture, the house that's different every ti…
Reviews
- gameplay252 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "60 Seconds!" is characterized by a frantic scavenging phase where players have just one minute to gather family members and supplies before entering a resource management phase in a fallout shelter. While the initial rush is engaging and the decision-making elements add depth, many players find the subsequent gameplay repetitive and luck-based, leading to a lack of variety and depth in the long run. Overall, the game offers a unique premise and humor, but its simplistic mechanics and reliance on random events can diminish the overall experience.
“You have just one minute to scavenge your home for family members and essential supplies before the bomb drops, leading to frantic, fast-paced gameplay that sets the tone for the entire game.”
“Its unique premise and engaging gameplay make for a fun experience, whether you're looking to achieve the perfect run or just wanting to see how long your family can survive.”
“The gameplay is fast-paced and the decisions you make have real consequences.”
“Unfortunately, the gameplay gets old quickly, with the player going through a series of random events, creating a very weak narrative.”
“The gameplay is dry and boring, which wouldn't be too bad given the style they are going for; the real downside comes from the mechanics and the writing.”
“The gameplay becomes dull very fast.”
- humor215 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -1 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of dark comedy and witty dialogue, which lightens the often dire scenarios players face. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through absurd situations and clever writing, making it an engaging experience for those who appreciate a humorous take on survival themes. However, some players note that the humor can become repetitive over time, potentially diminishing its impact during extended play sessions.
“The combination of dark humor and urgency makes for a unique gaming experience that keeps you on your toes.”
“The hilarious chaos that unfolds during this frantic scavenging phase is a sheer delight, as you dash around your home, making snap decisions and praying that you've grabbed enough to survive.”
“You'll find yourself chuckling at the witty writing, even in the face of dire circumstances.”
“And it's not funny, either.”
“The jokes fall flat and feel forced.”
“I expected more clever humor, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
- story170 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mix of engaging and humorous narratives, with players appreciating its unique twists and multiple endings, though some find it repetitive after several playthroughs. While the writing is often praised for its wit and charm, others note that the gameplay can feel limited, focusing more on reading and decision-making rather than deep character development or complex plotlines. Overall, it appeals to those who enjoy story-driven experiences, despite some criticisms regarding its simplicity and reliance on random events.
“The diary tells a fantastic story as you progress, with plenty of funny write-ups for random events.”
“The story is well written and keeps you engaged throughout the game.”
“It’s one of those games where you see a story unfold and no matter what decisions you make, you’re still eager to see what’s going to happen next, almost like reading a book.”
“The story seemed kind of the same all the time and I would often skip reading the text of the choices because I already knew what it said.”
“Progressing in the story can also be a pure game of chance, with you requiring having the exact right item at the exact right time in order to advance.”
“If you want a post-apocalyptic story with a range of choices and consequences, look elsewhere.”
- graphics159 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming hand-drawn art style that complements its humorous tone, creating a distinct personality that enhances the overall atmosphere. While many players appreciate the quirky animations and retro aesthetic, some note that the visuals can become repetitive, particularly during scavenging sequences, which may detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their appeal and suitability to the game's theme, despite some technical limitations.
“The hand-drawn art style and the quirky animations infuse the game with a distinct personality, while the soundtrack adds emotional weight to the post-apocalyptic struggles and victories.”
“The graphics are perfect for this type of setting, and I have no complaints about it.”
“The art style is charming, and it is mostly accessible to all players.”
“The graphics are terrible.”
“The graphics look cheap, the controls are clumsy.”
“Even on the lowest of graphics the game is still so choppy for me that I can't even play it.”
- replayability84 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 49 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The reviews on replayability are mixed, with some players praising the game for its high replay value due to various challenges, endings, and choices, while others find it repetitive and lacking in long-term engagement. Many highlight the potential for infinite playthroughs and community challenges, but several also note that the experience can become stale quickly. Overall, the game's replayability is seen as a significant strength for some, while others feel it falls short after a few sessions.
“The replayability is amazing, with numerous challenges from the community, in-game, or ones you set for yourself.”
“With many different game modes to choose from and a solid amount of replayability.”
“Replay value is through the roof with tons of different endings and scenarios.”
“Boring and lacks replayability.”
“This game just doesn't have the replayability to keep me coming back for more.”
“An entire game lasts about 15 minutes and there is virtually no replayability because there is no strategy involved.”
- music65 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its ability to enhance the atmosphere and fit the game's themes, particularly the juxtaposition of cheerful tunes against a post-apocalyptic backdrop. However, some players found the soundtrack repetitive and boring after extended play, leading to a desire to turn it off. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's unique style and emotional weight, its repetitiveness can detract from the experience over time.
“The hand-drawn art style and the quirky animations infuse the game with a distinct personality, while the soundtrack adds emotional weight to the post-apocalyptic struggles and victories.”
“Its got impeccable style, and perfectly mirrors the feel of the 50s cold war era (cheery music and imagery with disturbing undertones of death and destruction). If you enjoy the feel of Fallout games, then you will like this game as well.”
“The music is decent and does a good job of setting the tone throughout the game.”
“The soundtrack and the gameplay might get a bit repetitive after a few hours, but it can keep the attention for a while.”
“The music is annoying and repetitive.”
“The same 30-second loop of mediocre music, the same scenarios over and over again.”
- stability26 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- -8 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players noted improvements in recent updates, many still experienced issues such as slow item collection, camera problems, and complete freezes, leading to a consensus that the game is largely unplayable in its current state. Overall, the game's stability is a major concern, overshadowing its enjoyable elements.
“Love it, no glitches.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes.”
“I appreciate the consistent performance; it never lags.”
“Though there are so many things I love about this game, I dislike that when I am collecting items from around the house, the turns are slow and buggy.”
“After many attempted ways to fix and reinstall this game, it always glitches and won't allow me to get past a flickering title screen.”
“The game is buggy, so I did not get to see a huge amount of it due to the random crashes.”
- grinding21 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 57 % negative mentions
Reviews consistently highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring players to invest an unrealistic amount of time to progress. Many users express frustration with the repetitive nature of tasks and the lack of engaging content, leading to a monotonous experience that detracts from overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the art style, the grindy gameplay ultimately overshadows any positive elements.
“A bit grindy... sometimes.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“One long, tedious grind.”
“Conceptually and visually it looks pretty great, but the way it plays out gets extremely repetitive and tedious to do continuous runs, re-reading the same text over and over (but randomly sequenced) and hoping that the options you choose lead to the desired outcome.”
- atmosphere11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a compelling blend of tension and dark humor, set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop that evokes feelings of desperation and survival. Players appreciate the effective use of visuals and sound design, which enhance the immersive experience, while the contrasting elements of lightheartedness and emotional weight create a unique and engaging environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both intense and enjoyable, making it a standout feature of the game.
“The visuals and sound design complement the game's atmosphere perfectly.”
“The intense atmosphere of wondering what the new day could bring, from random events which could be your demise to the constantly lower food and water supply.”
“This game's sounds really give the atmosphere of how it's like to be in the shelter.”
“Losing family members due to starvation or illness adds weight to the survivors' atmosphere.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 22 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth performance and good optimization given its graphics, while others report severe issues such as black screens and poor performance. Many users express frustration over the game's optimization problems, particularly in key gameplay sections, leading to a negative impact on overall enjoyment and replayability.
“I like it, very well optimized.”
“Other than that, the game runs smoothly, which isn't a surprise considering the graphics aren't exactly Red Dead 2 quality.”
“Replayability depends on how much you care about optimization.”
“Unoptimized garbage - the game boots to a black screen, the music kicks in but the picture never shows up.”
“Extremely poor performance!”
“One question I have is: how did you manage to make the '60 seconds' portion, you know the part of the game that encapsulates the freakin title of your game, so poorly optimized?”
- emotional7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a unique hand-drawn art style and a poignant soundtrack that enhance its emotional depth, particularly in its post-apocalyptic setting. Players appreciate the blend of humor and heartwarming moments, though some feel it lacks the emotional intensity found in similar titles like "This War of Mine." Overall, while it offers fun and engaging gameplay, it may not resonate as deeply on an emotional level for all players.
“The hand-drawn art style and the quirky animations infuse the game with a distinct personality, while the soundtrack adds emotional weight to the post-apocalyptic struggles and victories.”
“The thrill of making split-second decisions, the joy of discovering new outcomes, and the heartwarming moments shared with your virtual family make this game an absolute joy to play.”
“And giving an enhanced version for free to people who already have this game was a very heartwarming decision by the developers.”
- monetization3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game is free to play but features microtransactions, which some players feel detracts from the experience, labeling it a cash grab. Additionally, frequent interruptions from ads can disrupt gameplay, leading to frustration.
“The game is free to play, but it does include microtransactions.”
“I appreciate that the game is free, although there are optional microtransactions available.”
“While the game is free, the microtransactions are not intrusive and offer fair value.”
“In essence, it’s a cash grab for a bait-and-switch product, and it happens a huge majority of the time when dealing with independent studios.”
“It's free, but has microtransactions.”
“This game is fun, but it frequently pauses when you perish or during the ads, but that could be my PC.”
Critic Reviews
60 Seconds! PS4 Review
60 Seconds! offers up a different way to play a strategy game features some light-hearted gameplay and a brief time sink. However, gameplay quickly contradicts itself, and the port work offers little help to the cause. There is some fun and some charm, but it's very short lived.
50%60 Seconds! Review
60 Seconds! Review
60%60 Seconds! Review
All told, 60 Seconds! is a disappointing addition to Switch's growing library and one that we would recommend you take a pass on. Although the idea at its core isn’t half bad, there’s very little here that we would say is done well, and given that there’s no shortage of excellent games on the Switch eShop, you’d be better off spending your money on something else. Big fans of survival games might find some enjoyment in this one, but we’d recommend you pick up The Flame In The Flood instead, or wait for more survival titles to arrive.
40%