A long Time

About

"A Long Time" is a reflection-based game about the passage of time, featuring clock-centric puzzles. It can be completed in approximately 10 minutes and was created for the Epic MegaJam 2020. The game is available in two versions: a smaller, trial-like version under 100MB, and a normal version for optimal gameplay. Recommended system specifications include a 4-core CPU of 2.50 GHz or higher, a GTX 980 or higher GPU, and 8GB of RAM.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 183 reviews

graphics8 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game offers a unique and surreal visual experience, immersing players in an abstract world filled with clocks and intriguing sound design.
It's a short and free game that can be completed in under 10 minutes, making it accessible for casual players and achievement hunters.
Despite its simplicity, the game effectively conveys a thought-provoking narrative about time, leaving players with a sense of wonder and reflection.

The gameplay is very short and linear, which may leave some players feeling unsatisfied or wanting more content.
Controls can be clumsy and the jumping mechanics may feel floaty, leading to frustration during platforming sections.
The bright and minimalist design can be disorienting for some players, potentially causing discomfort or motion sickness.

graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
27%
20%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their abstract and stylized aesthetics, featuring beautiful visuals with pastel colors, reflections, and optical illusions that enhance the calming experience. Players appreciate the seamless integration of sound and visuals, creating a surreal atmosphere that complements the gameplay. Overall, while the game is short and simple, its unique visual design stands out as a highlight.
- “It's a free game that has a great concept and it features at the same time an abstract world, beautiful graphics and well adapted sounds (the ticking of the clocks, your footsteps, echoes).”
- “Awesome game, it feels really calming and has really cool and interesting graphics.”
- “The design aesthetics are sober: abstract shapes dyed in pastel colours and accompanied by mirror figures, clocks and optical illusion effects.”
- “Best at worst graphics, in my opinion.”
- “The design aesthetics are sober: abstract shapes dyed in pastel colors and accompanied by mirror figures, clocks, and optical illusion effects.”
- “'A long time' is an extremely short and linear first-person platforming game about time with abstract visuals and sounds.”
music
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The music in the game is widely praised for its abstract and soothing qualities, enhancing the overall atmosphere and experience. Reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a perfect fit for the game's tone, with calming sounds that blend seamlessly with the visuals and sound effects, creating a surreal and immersive environment. Overall, the quality of the music is considered exceptional and integral to the game's appeal.
- “I enjoyed the visuals & most definitely enjoyed the music which made the whole experience very surreal and calm.”
- “Sound: amazing, a wonderful soundtrack, and sounds that fit the game perfectly, and just sound great.”
- “A long time is very surreal, with excellent music and sound design that carries the experience forward.”
- “The music is austere and parsimonious.”
- “The music and sound effects meld with the constant ticking of clocks, like your footsteps that sound like ticking clocks themselves.”
- “The music is so extremely abstract I have no words to describe it except that it fits the tone of the game.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game features an abstract narrative centered around the concept of time, presenting a journey that may initially seem storyless but reveals deeper themes. While some players appreciate the simplicity and wisdom of the storyline, others express confusion and a desire for a more developed narrative. Overall, the story is seen as intriguing yet lacking in clarity and depth.
- “At first glance, it doesn't appear to have a story, but it actually contains a narrative based on the concept of time.”
- “The plot consists of a journey within an abstract world conceptualized by time, and the message is simple - 'it's been a long time, but we're not done yet.'”
- “And the story that it told was cool.”
- “I'm not bad at deciphering stories and coming up with my own theories on what's going on with the storyline, but can somebody please tell me what's happening in this game?”
- “No message it tries to convey, no little story it tells, you just walk.”
- “Would love to see a full version with a story played out.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The gameplay is characterized as minimal and straightforward, with a low difficulty rating and clear instructions, primarily involving walking and interacting with platforms. While some players find it lacking depth, describing it as an empty walking simulator, others appreciate the relaxed pace and the interesting visual aesthetics that complement the gameplay concept. Overall, the mechanics are basic, and while the experience may be short, it offers a unique thematic exploration.
- “Very relaxed gameplay; I like the abstract, stylized aesthetics. Well worth a play!”
- “The game itself, as a concept, is really interesting. The visuals are quite good, and the gameplay mechanics are well thought out for the theme of the game.”
- “An empty walking simulator with some clocks and a long jump mechanic that is kind of bad.”
- “The mechanics of the game are basic; you must walk the path with some obstacles through the interaction of platforms.”
- “It's short, and the gameplay is nothing to write home about, but the visuals are really interesting.”
atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
The game's atmosphere is described as unnerving yet captivating, enhanced by an abstract aesthetic and a compelling soundtrack. Players find it hypnotizing and calming, with a magical sense of intrigue and adventure that immerses them in its bizarre landscapes. Overall, it creates a unique and engaging experience that resonates deeply with players.
- “Other than that, it has this really cool unnerving yet weirdly cool atmosphere to it that had me geeking out a little bit.”
- “Really enjoyed the abstractness of this game, and the soundtrack really added to the experience and atmosphere.”
- “I played this early in the morning and found myself already succumbing to the hypnotizing atmosphere of the absurd yet somewhat calming sense of a stretching time.”
- “I played this early in the morning and found myself already succumbing to the hypnotizing atmosphere of the absurd yet somewhat calming sense of stretching time.”
- “The bizarre effects of the landscape envelop you in a magical atmosphere of intrigue and adventure.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is generally perceived as amusing, with players finding it entertaining, albeit in a subtle or understated way.
- “It's surprisingly funny, not gonna lie.”
- “The humor in this game really caught me off guard!”
- “I found myself laughing out loud at the clever jokes and witty dialogue.”