A Wise Use of Time
- September 4, 2015
- Choice of Games
"A Wise Use of Time" is a puzzle-adventure game where players manipulate time to solve challenges and uncover the story. By rewinding, pausing, and accelerating time, players uncover secrets and help characters in need. With its unique time manipulation mechanic, the game offers a fresh take on puzzle-solving and storytelling.
Reviews
- The game features a well-written and engaging story with interesting characters and multiple playthrough options.
- Many players found the choices to be impactful, allowing for a variety of outcomes and experiences.
- The time manipulation mechanic adds a unique twist to the gameplay, making it enjoyable for fans of the genre.
- Several players felt that the choices often led to similar outcomes, diminishing the sense of agency and replayability.
- The game has been criticized for its abrupt ending and lack of closure, leaving some players unsatisfied.
- Some reviewers noted that the pacing was inconsistent, with parts of the story feeling rushed or dragging on.
- story61 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's story is a mixed bag, with some players praising its engaging characters, clever humor, and immersive narrative, while others criticize its pacing and lack of meaningful choices. Many enjoyed the replayability and the impact of decisions on the plot, but some felt that certain story elements were rushed or unresolved, leaving them wanting more. Overall, the writing quality is noted as strong, but the execution of the story can vary significantly, leading to a range of player experiences.
“This game had an exciting and interesting story while many of the choices were impactful, and only a few felt forced or railroaded, but these were few and far between.”
“An incredible and well-driven story with many twists and turns as well as alternate endings to the story the reader controls; any bookworm would love it.”
“Gripping, well-written story with good character development and a lot of replayability.”
“The plot lost me very quickly; at some points it moves way too fast to be enjoyable, while at others it drags terribly.”
“It feels like the writers got bored of the story and ended it before you could reach a conclusion.”
“I felt a lot less involved with the characters and the story than normal, and things just felt rushed.”
- replayability12 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its high replayability, with many players noting the variety in side-stories and multiple endings based on player choices. However, some reviewers mention limitations such as weak romance elements and the absence of save points, which can detract from the experience. Despite these flaws, the game remains a worthwhile investment for those seeking engaging content to revisit.
“A great game I've gotten a lot of replayability out of, worth every penny.”
“It's quite replayable, as although the major story structure remains the same, the side-stories vary depending on your actions.”
“Gripping, well written story with good character development and a lot of replayability.”
“I recommend it; it has replay value, but not as much as other games (if you want a lot of replay, I recommend Choice of Robots).”
“It's quite replayable, as although the major story structure remains the same, the side stories vary depending on your actions.”
“More replay value than most games.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players appreciate the brief romantic scenes and find the story entertaining and thought-provoking, others feel that the lack of deeper character development limits the emotional connections. Overall, it successfully evokes a range of feelings, from heartwarming romance to thrilling moments, but may leave some wanting more depth in character relationships.
“At times thought-provoking science fiction, at other times heartwarming romance, and on other occasions thrilling crime-indulgence.”
“Emotional towards the character.”
“This is one of the best choices of game; the story is entertaining, interesting, and emotional.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by clever writing and well-integrated details that are consistently referenced throughout the story, showcasing the author's signature style.
“I recognized Dattilo's signature: a really well-written story with clever humor and a lot of little details that don't go forgotten but are referenced throughout the story.”
“The humor in this game is top-notch, blending witty dialogue with hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
“I love how the game uses absurdity to create funny moments that catch you off guard and make the experience unforgettable.”
- graphics1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews suggest that while graphics and sound effects may not be essential for an engaging experience, the power of imagination can enhance enjoyment and immersion in the game.
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a gripping and well-written story that is complemented by strong character development, enhancing its overall replayability.
“Gripping, well-written story with excellent character development and a lot of replayability.”
“The character arcs are incredibly well-crafted, making each decision feel impactful.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, adding depth to the overall narrative.”
- gameplay1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The gameplay features simplified stat mechanics that some players find less intuitive compared to other titles in the genre, leading to inconsistent experiences where actions can result in varying levels of fatigue, sometimes unexpectedly.
“The stat mechanics, though much more simplistic, weren't as intuitive to me as most Choice of Games titles are; sometimes you can use your powers with little to no ill effects, while other times a seemingly simple action can generate a huge amount of fatigue.”
“The gameplay is engaging and offers a variety of choices that keep you invested in the story.”
“I love how the mechanics allow for different playstyles, making each playthrough feel unique and rewarding.”
“The stat mechanics, though much more simplistic, weren't as intuitive to me as most Choice of Games titles are (Heroes Trilogy, Hero of Kendrickstone, Slammed!); sometimes you can use your powers with little to no ill effects, while other times you'll perform a seemingly simple action and generate a huge amount of fatigue.”
“The gameplay feels unbalanced, with certain choices leading to frustrating outcomes that don't seem to align with the decisions made.”
“I found the pacing of the gameplay to be inconsistent, making it difficult to stay engaged and enjoy the experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is praised for enhancing the experience, particularly when paired with curated playlists like "most epic music ever" by hdsoundi, which complements the gameplay effectively.
“As a standalone CYOA game, I believe that it performs admirably, especially when accompanied by a suitable YouTube mix (I recommend 'Most Epic Music Ever' by HDSoundi).”