A Hat in Time

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.

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Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 55,575 reviews

music3,833 positive mentions

stability479 negative mentions

music
6,250 mentions
61 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The music in "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its exceptional quality and variety, with many reviewers highlighting its ability to enhance the game's whimsical atmosphere and gameplay experience. Composed by Pascal Michael Stiefel, the soundtrack features catchy, memorable tracks that fit each level's theme, often evoking nostalgia reminiscent of classic platformers like Super Mario 64 and Banjo-Kazooie. Players frequently express their enjoyment of the music, noting its dynamic nature and the inclusion of remixes, making it a standout aspect of the game that many recommend purchasing alongside the game itself.
- “The music throughout the game never misses a beat, as well as staying 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 amazing and one of my favorites.”
- “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 soundtrack is mid in some places and then it just hits you with an absolute banger out of nowhere!?”
- “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.”
story
6,095 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative 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. While the overarching narrative is considered basic and sometimes disjointed, individual chapters offer unique and engaging mini-stories that keep players entertained. Many reviewers appreciate the humor, colorful characters, and the lighthearted tone, though some express a desire for a more cohesive and deeper storyline throughout the game. Overall, the story serves as a delightful backdrop to the platforming gameplay, making it enjoyable for players of all ages.
- “The story is simple, yet enjoyable, and the characters are great and the voice cast is amazing.”
- “The story is fun, characters are amazing, humor always on point; I actually made a point to interact with all NPCs in all maps just because the dialogue is so good.”
- “The story is charming and hilarious, and the gameplay is good (though the camera can be a little frustrating at times).”
- “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.”
gameplay
5,260 mentions
48 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
3 % negative 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 keep the gameplay fresh and enjoyable. While some minor issues with camera control and occasional glitches are noted, the overall consensus is that the game offers a delightful and satisfying platforming adventure filled with humor and creativity.
- “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 variety of hats adds a fresh twist to the gameplay, and the whole experience is just pure fun.”
- “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 thought the gameplay irritating and tedious.”
graphics
3,946 mentions
54 % positive mentions
44 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics of "A Hat in Time" are widely praised for their charming, colorful art style reminiscent of classic platformers like "Super Mario 64" and "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker." Many players appreciate the vibrant visuals and unique character designs, which contribute to the game's whimsical atmosphere, although some note that the graphics can feel simplistic or occasionally glitchy. Overall, the game's aesthetic is considered a significant strength, enhancing the fun and engaging gameplay experience.
- “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 an 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 charming in their own way and in no means bad.”
humor
3,535 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative 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." Players appreciate the game's 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, making it a standout title in the 3D platforming genre.
- “I had to pause the game several times because I couldn’t stop laughing.”
- “The humor is top notch and there's just the right amount of collectibles to look for.”
- “The writing is hilarious and I found myself smiling and laughing often to all the zany characters you meet on the planet.”
- “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.”
emotional
861 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative 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 emotional impact of the ending, which often brings players to tears. Overall, the game is celebrated for its ability to create a wholesome atmosphere that resonates deeply with players, making it a standout title 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.”
replayability
526 mentions
45 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The game is widely praised for its high replayability, largely attributed to its engaging gameplay, charming characters, and extensive modding community that offers endless custom content. Players appreciate the variety of collectibles, side missions, and DLCs that enhance the experience, making it appealing for both casual and completionist players. While some reviews mention a lack of replay value in the base game, the addition of mods and community-created levels significantly compensates for this, resulting in a nearly infinite replay potential.
- “Its replayability is insane and the Snatcher DLC adds a lot of content and difficulty.”
- “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 base game alone is fun, but playing it with mods and community levels makes the game infinitely replayable.”
- “The other issue I have with this game is its strange lack of replay value, perhaps caused by the lack of more content.”
- “17 hours for a total price tag of $40 is sadly asking too much, no matter how perfect the game is, and the lack of collectible items past the initial few relics removes much of the replayability.”
- “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.”
stability
517 mentions
7 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with many players noting frequent glitches and bugs that can disrupt gameplay, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users report that these issues are minor and do not significantly detract from the overall experience, others have experienced frustrating freezes and crashes, especially during critical moments. Overall, the game is described as charming and enjoyable, but it lacks polish and can feel unrefined due to its numerous technical issues.
- “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 this game; that 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.”
- “Amazing collectathon that looks and runs great.”
- “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.”
optimization
463 mentions
25 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting inconsistent performance, frequent stuttering, and frame rate drops even on high-end systems. Issues such as poor handling of graphics settings, long load times, and bugs further detract from the experience, particularly on lower-end hardware and macOS. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance by adjusting settings, the overall consensus is that the game requires better optimization to enhance playability across various platforms.
- “It may not be particularly well optimized, and has a couple bugs here and there, but if you can look past those fairly minor complaints, you have a lovingly crafted collectathon that rivals even Mario's greats.”
- “The game has a million graphic settings, way beyond what I was expecting so you can tune the performance however you like.”
- “Overall the game runs smoothly and is just a joy to experience.”
- “Game has a distinct lack of polish in several areas, like performance, navigating through menus, using the camera or even remapping the controls, which does not work unless you manually go inside the game files to edit them yourself.”
- “It's just unplayable with performance being extremely unstable.”
- “The game is not optimized very well, so expect to use high TDP to hit consistent FPS.”
atmosphere
440 mentions
59 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of "A Hat in Time" is widely praised for its vibrant, whimsical charm, 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 attention to detail in character design, level aesthetics, and the overall lighthearted yet engaging tone that invites exploration and enjoyment.
- “The playful atmosphere and cheerful soundtrack combine to create a truly unforgettable experience.”
- “The charismatic characters and the immersive atmosphere of the game brought me a deep connection I rarely feel in any game, and the characters are so well constructed that you grow to like even the antagonists of each chapter.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing and the fact that the characters all have pasts is so awesome.”
- “Act 3 had a gloomy atmosphere, not what you would expect from a cute game.”
- “Many of the game's levels are dark and gloomy, including the purple time rift bonus levels, which also throw in an abstract uneasiness.”
- “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 development
276 mentions
65 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
2 % negative 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. Players appreciate the unique and colorful character aesthetics, along with strong voice acting that enhances the personalities of both main and secondary characters. While some reviews note minor issues with character depth, the general consensus is that the game's character design and development are standout features that elevate the gaming experience.
- “A hat in time is not just a game; it's a masterpiece that excels in storytelling, graphics, and character design, making it an unparalleled gaming experience that surpasses any numerical rating.”
- “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.”
- “There is no character development, or anything that makes me invested in anything that's happening.”
- “The ending is definitely rushed considering there is few character development for the antagonist.”
- “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.”
grinding
225 mentions
5 % positive mentions
26 % neutral mentions
69 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find certain aspects tedious and frustrating, particularly in later levels and DLC content, others appreciate the lack of excessive grindy objectives and enjoy the collecting mechanics. Many players noted that while some challenges can feel repetitive, the overall gameplay remains engaging and fun, with a few suggesting that the game avoids the pitfalls of typical collectathons. Overall, the game strikes a balance between enjoyable exploration and occasional grindiness, with some players feeling that it could benefit from less tedious elements.
- “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 this game has a lot of character and charm, it also has some really difficult and tedious parts that I can't get past.”
- “With extra timepieces you are expected to struggle for, it can seem a little grindy for no real benefit or return since most of the practical content outside of cosmetics is obtained with the number of timepieces and exploration of the base game levels.”
- “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.”
monetization
72 mentions
4 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
47 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the absence of microtransactions and the ability to unlock cosmetics through gameplay rather than purchases. However, many users express frustration over intrusive advertisements for DLC that appear at startup, detracting from the overall experience. Overall, while the game avoids common pitfalls of modern monetization practices, the aggressive promotion of DLC has drawn criticism.
- “This game is actually fun, and the devs clearly have a lot of passion for it, and it isn't stuffed with microtransactions, and it doesn't hold its audience in sneering contempt, all of which pretty much makes it better than 99% of the AAA titles released in the past half-decade.”
- “Be a kid again, enjoy playing through the levels, dressing up your character without microtransactions.”
- “You always feel like you find something valuable everywhere you go, whether you are finding pons 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!)”
- “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 kind of ruined it though with intrusive DLC advertisements that pop up whenever you start the game.”