A Hat in Time

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 27,761 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
A Hat in Time Game Cover
Some scuff-marks aside, A Hat in Time is a creative, playful, and polished tribute to a genre that doesn’t get nearly enough love on PC.
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In "A Hat in Time," players control a space-traveling girl with a magical hat, exploring colorful worlds and solving puzzles to collect "Time Pieces" and stop the villain from destroying time itself. The game features charming 3D platforming gameplay with various abilities unlocked through sewing new hats. Players can uncover hidden secrets, enjoy quirky characters and witty dialogue, and complete side quests for additional rewards.

  • Play​station 4
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 27,761 reviews
music1,915 positive mentions
stability238 negative mentions
  • music3,122 mentions

    The music in "A Hat in Time" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its catchy, dynamic, and diverse soundtrack that enhances the game's whimsical atmosphere. Composed by Pascal Michael Stiefel, the soundtrack features a variety of styles, from upbeat tunes to haunting melodies, perfectly complementing the game's colorful environments and engaging gameplay. Players often highlight specific tracks, such as "Your Contract Has Expired," as standout pieces that contribute significantly to the overall experience, making the soundtrack a key reason to play and revisit the game.

    • “The music throughout the game never misses a beat and stays true to its level theme.”
    • “The soundtrack of 'A Hat in Time' is an absolute delight, with catchy tunes that perfectly complement the game's playful atmosphere.”
    • “The soundtrack is a banger, filled with memorable tracks that enhance the overall experience of the game.”
    • “The music and textures feel really flat and bleh to me, the characters are charming at moments and obnoxious/annoying at other times, and the game feels really floaty.”
    • “The music was okay. Some tunes really worked for the sections they were in, and I loved the overall sound design for the game, but other sections were entirely forgettable as far as music goes.”
    • “But the game definitely isn't perfect, and I do have some qualms with it: I found the music very forgettable, with only a few tracks and jingles being that noteworthy.”
  • story3,045 mentions

    The story of "A Hat in Time" is generally described as charming and whimsical, featuring a simple premise where the protagonist, Hat Kid, must recover lost time pieces to fuel her spaceship after a mishap with the mafia. While the overarching narrative is considered basic and sometimes disjointed, individual chapters offer unique and engaging mini-stories that keep players entertained. The game's humor, colorful characters, and lighthearted tone contribute to its appeal, making it a delightful experience despite some critiques regarding its brevity and depth.

    • “The story is charming and hilarious, and the characters are all memorable and full of personality.”
    • “The story is simple yet whimsical and does not take itself too seriously, hat kid is tasked with collecting magical hourglasses from various chapters by navigating the level through various in-game mechanics, such as abilities from hats, and classic platforming.”
    • “The story is lighthearted and enjoyable, and the characters are all a treat.”
    • “The story is really the most annoying part of this game, as a lot of the characters you encounter just never stop talking.”
    • “The story was barely there, and what little story this game had didn't seem interesting to me at all.”
    • “The main story feels a little short but it's still a masterpiece and there is DLC out there and a lot of mod support.”
  • gameplay2,623 mentions

    The gameplay of "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its fluid mechanics, charming visuals, and engaging level design, reminiscent of classic 3D platformers like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. Players appreciate the variety of gameplay elements introduced through unique hats and badges, which enhance the platforming experience and encourage exploration. While some minor issues with camera angles and occasional glitches are noted, the overall consensus is that the game offers a delightful and addictive gameplay experience, bolstered by a whimsical story and memorable characters.

    • “Not to mention the gameplay itself is incredibly fun and addicting; I find myself wanting to 100% this game just because of how fun it is!”
    • “The gameplay is a perfect blend of simplistic and challenging, allowing for pure pleasure when played casually, and ball-busting difficulty if played seriously.”
    • “With its charming visuals, innovative gameplay, and infectious sense of joy, it's a testament to the power of creativity and imagination in gaming.”
    • “The art style and references are nice, but the actual gameplay just feels very boring and clunky.”
    • “The overall game is cute, but the gameplay itself can be somewhat frustrating, but good.”
    • “I think the game tapers off after act 2 slightly as you've seen just about all there is gameplay-wise after that point.”
  • graphics1,968 mentions

    The graphics of "A Hat in Time" are widely praised for their charming, colorful, and cartoonish art style, reminiscent of classic platformers like "Super Mario 64" and "The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker." While many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique character designs, some have noted performance issues and minor graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, the game's aesthetic contributes significantly to its whimsical atmosphere, making it a delightful experience for fans of the genre.

    • “The graphics are a visual feast, with a delightful art style that brings the game's whimsical world to life.”
    • “The visuals are vibrant and colorful, bringing the whimsical world of Hat Kid to life in breathtaking detail.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, the story line cute along with a cute hero.”
    • “I was initially disappointed, with inconsistent performance and graphics that seemed to be beyond the developer’s skill level (lots of slowdown on high settings and I have a good PC), I was not impressed.”
    • “The graphics have not been optimized for PC either; distant objects remain blurry even though most computers could easily render all of them, and the view distance option doesn't help much.”
    • “The graphics are cute and colorful, reminding me of my childhood games, but they lack the polish and detail expected from modern titles.”
  • humor1,765 mentions

    The humor in "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its charm and cleverness, often drawing comparisons to classic platformers like "Banjo-Kazooie" and "Super Mario" games. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, quirky characters, and a mix of lighthearted and dark humor that keeps the experience engaging and entertaining. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke genuine laughter through its absurd scenarios and memorable interactions, making it a delightful experience for both children and adults.

    • “The humor is top-notch and there's just the right amount of collectibles to look for.”
    • “The writing is hilarious, the characters are endearing, the scenarios are incredibly inventive and unlike anything I've ever seen before, and the sheer variety of creativity here is stunning.”
    • “It's a cute 3D platformer full of dark humor, cute worlds, and great character design.”
    • “There are few games that I dislike because of unfunny satire, but this game is an exception.”
    • “Too much time in this platformer is spent not platforming, be it listening to another character make unfunny jokes, or sneaking around an empty mansion wishing for this part of the game to be over.”
    • “The jokes and the writing felt lazy, random, and unfunny. I can see how people might find this endearing, but that certainly wasn't for me, and again, I'm only mentioning this because the game puts a lot of emphasis on those things.”
  • emotional430 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "A Hat in Time" is overwhelmingly positive, with players frequently describing it as a heartwarming and nostalgic experience that evokes feelings of joy and childhood wonder. Many reviews highlight the game's charming characters, delightful humor, and touching moments, particularly the ending, which often brings players to tears of happiness. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to create a wholesome atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout in the platforming genre.

    • “This game made me feel like a child playing Super Mario 64 for the very first time, and the ending sure made me cry like a child.”
    • “The ending of the game warms my heart, and since I'm a sucker for wholesome moments in games, this game fit me perfectly.”
    • “I cried when this game ended because I didn't want it to be over; I had so much fun.”
  • replayability263 mentions

    The game is widely praised for its high replayability, largely attributed to its engaging gameplay, memorable characters, and extensive modding community that offers endless custom content. Players appreciate the variety of challenges, collectibles, and DLCs that enhance the experience, making it appealing for both casual and dedicated gamers. However, some reviews note that the base game may feel short on replay value without the additional content provided by mods and DLCs.

    • “It's charming, polished, and infinitely replayable.”
    • “The huge abundance of things to do and find gives this game amazing replayability right out of the box, and the workshop support expands that even further.”
    • “The modding community alone has added almost infinite replay value to the game, completely negating one flaw with the game.”
    • “The other issue I have with this game is its strange lack of replay value, perhaps caused by the lack of more content.”
    • “My biggest complaint would be that it's a little short and there's not a whole lot of replay value, though I don't have the DLC so maybe it's better there.”
    • “While it doesn't have much replayability, you can still play it with friends and randoms if you want.”
  • stability257 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting a variety of glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users report frequent freezing and camera issues, others mention that these problems are minor and do not significantly detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game is described as fun and charming, but it lacks polish and can feel unrefined due to its numerous technical issues.

    • “Runs great on the Steam Deck!”
    • “The game runs great on my PC and I have not had any problems with this game.”
    • “The creators of this game have put so much effort and love into it; the game speaks for itself with its stunning visuals, quirky humor, adorable character design, and great and smooth gameplay with very few to no glitches.”
    • “The game constantly freezes and locks my keyboard for some strange reason.”
    • “This game is insanely buggy (in multiplayer) for a full price release.”
    • “My only complaint is that the game is quite buggy at times and I hope they iron out the bugs soon, or allow for an in-game respawn option for checkpoints during boss fights.”
  • optimization229 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent performance across different hardware setups. While some users found it playable on lower settings, others experienced severe problems, particularly on macOS and older systems, indicating a need for better optimization overall. Despite these issues, many players still enjoyed the game, suggesting that while the optimization is lacking, the core gameplay remains engaging.

    • “Best of all, the creators endorse the modding community with optimizations, updates to help fix, and a dedicated mods menu for them, which is such a small yet significant detail.”
    • “The game has a million graphic settings, way beyond what I was expecting, so you can tune the performance however you like.”
    • “It's very well optimized for PCs as well; I have a GTX 970 and an i7 4790K, and while playing this game at some of the highest settings possible, I have yet to see it drop one frame below 60.”
    • “The game is not optimized very well, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS.”
    • “I completed this game on macOS, which may be the worst and most cursed way to play this game because achievements don't work, DLCs don't work, Steam Workshop doesn't work, performance is horrible, Xbox controller that I own doesn't work, and the game has noticeable problems with handling the mouse under macOS.”
    • “The graphics have not been optimized for PC either; distant objects remain blurry even though most computers could easily render all of them, and the view distance option doesn't help much.”
  • atmosphere220 mentions

    The atmosphere of "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its charming and whimsical design, enhanced by a delightful soundtrack that complements the playful and immersive environments. Each level features unique themes and moods, ranging from cheerful to spooky, creating a rich tapestry of experiences that evoke nostalgia and emotional connection. Players appreciate the game's vibrant visuals, engaging characters, and the seamless integration of music and atmosphere, making it a standout title in the platforming genre.

    • “The playful atmosphere and cheerful soundtrack combine to create a truly unforgettable experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing and the fact that the characters all have pasts is so awesome.”
    • “The music effortlessly captures the spirit of each world and adds an extra layer of immersion to the already enchanting atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere feels alive, the music is very well done and complements each area very well along with the remixed versions of the songs.”
    • “The developers have amassed sounds that resonate quality and quantity of both serene and frightening atmospheres that should be appreciated.”
    • “Despite some gripes I have with the level design that I explain further down, the levels themselves (which nailed the atmosphere they were trying to give off) were overall a blast.”
  • character development138 mentions

    The character development in "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its charming and memorable designs, which contribute significantly to the game's overall appeal. Reviewers highlight the unique and colorful character aesthetics, along with strong voice acting that enhances the personalities of both main and secondary characters. While many appreciate the depth and creativity in character interactions and story progression, some note that certain characters could benefit from more development, particularly the antagonist.

    • “The amount of character development in this game is incredible, and it got me tearing up a little when it ended!”
    • “From the story to the character development, every detail has been worked on with such passion.”
    • “As I delved deeper into this adventure, I grew increasingly attached to the endearing character designs and the heartwarming story that unfolded.”
    • “The ending is definitely rushed considering there is few character development for the antagonist.”
    • “There is no character development, or anything that makes me invested in anything that's happening.”
    • “I really cannot find much about this game that's negative - oh except for the plain, awful, and questionable character designs that is, and some of the animations are also, eh - definitely not the best.”
  • grinding112 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience, with many players finding certain aspects tedious and frustrating, particularly in later levels and DLC content. While some players appreciate the charm and creativity of the game, they often note that repetitive challenges and the need for extensive grinding can detract from the overall enjoyment. However, others highlight that collecting items and exploring levels can feel rewarding and less grindy compared to other games in the genre.

    • “Simple due to its plethora of collectibles, making it such a fun game to 100% and it is not tedious but just pure enjoyment that you never want to end.”
    • “It's full of gems, not tedious at all and every level feels just right.”
    • “Plus, 100% isn't as tedious as other games out there.”
    • “While the base game left me wanting more, grinding questionable quality community-made levels for challenge road and 30 mod rift tokens was tolerable at best and mentally exhausting at worst.”
    • “The levels you get are fun to mess around in, but the actual objectives of the level aren't really fun and get tedious after a few tries.”
    • “It suffers most from late game pacing as the last world, while full of neat and beautiful sections, is unnecessarily tedious (especially when going for collectibles) and is completely devoid of any boss fights or interesting characters.”
  • monetization36 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While many appreciate the absence of microtransactions and the ability to earn cosmetics through gameplay, they express frustration over intrusive advertisements for DLCs that appear at startup, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, players commend the developers for prioritizing player enjoyment over aggressive monetization strategies commonly seen in AAA titles.

    • “This game is actually fun, and the devs clearly have a lot of passion for it. It isn't stuffed with microtransactions, and it doesn't hold its audience in sneering contempt, which makes it better than 99% of the AAA titles released in the past half-decade.”
    • “You always feel like you find something valuable everywhere you go, whether you are finding coins to buy things or getting collectibles that allow you to earn cosmetics like hat accessories, colors, and music remixes without having to pay microtransactions. How great!”
    • “Unlike many AAA publishers known for evading taxes and nickel-and-diming their customers at every opportunity, Gears for Breakfast decided that you get what you pay for and chose not to inconvenience paying customers with DRM or shove microtransactions down the players' throats in an attempt to milk every customer's pennies.”
    • “Every time I restart the game, it doesn't let me play until I've cycled through loads of ads for their DLCs.”
    • “That a game keeps shoving ads for DLC in your face every time you start really gets on my nerves.”
    • “The DLCs and updates kinda ruined it though with intrusive DLC advertisements that pop up whenever you start the game.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy A Hat in Time

Play time

14hMedian play time
34hAverage play time
9hMain story
18hCompletionist
8-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 116 analyzed playthroughs

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