Hard Time III
- September 9, 2024
- MDickie
- 14h median play time
Get on SteamThe toughest prison sim in the yard is back to serve its 3rd consecutive sentence - combining classic moments from the OG with the best aspects of 2D, while putting out a few hits of its own! A fully developed police role challenges you to tackle crime from either side of the prison fence, while a larger world beyond it makes life worth living. Explore it with a wider range of vehicles, as well as…
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game is filled with chaotic and unpredictable moments, providing endless entertainment.
- It features a robust character editor and mod support, allowing for creative customization and community content.
- The humor and absurdity of the gameplay are reminiscent of classic MDickie titles, making it a nostalgic experience for fans.
- The controls and camera mechanics are clunky and frustrating, making gameplay difficult at times.
- Many players feel the game lacks structure and objectives, leading to a repetitive and aimless experience.
- The dialogue interruptions and excessive NPC interactions can be overwhelming, detracting from the overall enjoyment.
- story23 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 74 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many players finding the quests repetitive and often impossible to complete. While some appreciate the freedom to create their own narratives, the overall narrative experience is described as bland and disjointed, lacking meaningful interactions and impactful missions. Players note that the game feels more like a collection of random tasks rather than a cohesive story-driven experience.
“But if you like games that give you everything you need to make your own story, then buy this immediately.”
“And it feels like every new character you play as is going to have a different story that you will remember.”
“Basically this game is always going to have a different result and story every time you start a new character.”
“If you like story-driven games, this isn't for you.”
“The only missions I've encountered from other NPCs are stuff like giving them an item, delivering an item to a location, etc. Apparently, there are gangs in this game, but you wouldn't even be able to tell because there's no dialogue talking about them and NPCs don't have tattoos or accessories to show their membership.”
“Nothing is explained, and most mechanics are hidden: hunger/thirst, if they even exist, have no meter; excess eating or drinking doesn't seem to have any sort of visible warning; quests are random and impossible to complete sometimes.”
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its polish and depth compared to previous titles, while others criticize it as dull and lacking engaging content. Many players find the mechanics confusing and poorly explained, leading to frustration with broken controls and constant interruptions from NPCs. Overall, the game seems to struggle with delivering a cohesive and enjoyable experience, leaving some players disappointed after years of development.
“10/10 gameplay, would become a wanted insubordinist any day of the week.”
“I love Wrestling Empire, and there's obviously a lot of overlap between that game and this one, but it seems like we had a lot more polish in terms of gameplay than HT3.”
“The gameplay and setting is the standard fare for an M Dickie game.”
“It pains me to see how in the past he seemed to genuinely want to improve each game by adding new mechanics, ideas, and features, but ever since the release of Old School, the games just feel very lazily made with only a couple new items, weapons, and features combined with all the annoying changes that make the game unplayable.”
“Gameplay is offensively bad, especially after Mdickie has worked on these games for decades.”
“The controls are broken (pressing the right stick is not use, it's pause), the camerawork is sloppy, you have full customization over your character's looks and if you choose to use this you'll be constantly accosted for breaking the rules of the prison (impersonation) and get into a fight every time you try to go change, and gameplay is constantly interrupted by other characters walking up to you and threatening you, apologizing to you, selling you things, or asking you for favors.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as crude and unpredictable, with players finding it both hilarious and frustrating. While some appreciate the frequent comedic moments and absurd situations, others criticize the lack of meaningful dialogue and the overwhelming presence of NPCs that can detract from the experience. Overall, the game is seen as funny, but it also suffers from gameplay issues that can hinder enjoyment.
“Great game, very funny.”
“Probably the most unpredictable game ever created, and fucking hilarious.”
“A truly hilarious game.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The graphics have received mixed reviews, with some users describing them as outdated and lacking quality, while others note a photo-realistic style. Overall, many find the visuals underwhelming and not a significant concern compared to other aspects of the game.
“The graphics are photo-realistic.”
“The sound effects, graphics, and a majority of the programming follow from the mobile game.”
“Graphics are trash, but you can figure that out from the screenshots and it's not even a big deal.”
“Outdated graphics.”
- stability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed; while some users report it runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, others experience significant bugs that detract from the overall experience. Overall, it appears to function well but is marred by inconsistencies.
“This game isn't buggy or broken; it just throws everything into a pot and lets you see what happens.”
“Runs great on the Steam Deck, both handheld and docked.”
“It's also way too buggy.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding, and it felt like I made no progress.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been criticized for being repetitive, which may detract from the overall experience for some players.
“The music is incredibly repetitive.”
“I found the soundtrack to be quite monotonous.”
“The background music lacks variety and quickly becomes tiresome.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the sequel is generally enjoyable, reviewers feel it lacks certain features that would enhance its replayability.
“The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique and engaging.”
“With multiple endings and different character paths, I find myself coming back for more every time.”
“The dynamic gameplay elements ensure that no two sessions are ever the same, keeping it fresh and exciting.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Original Hard Times" is highly praised, with users noting that it effectively captures a compelling and immersive experience.
“The atmosphere in the game captures the essence of hard times beautifully.”
“The immersive atmosphere draws you in and makes you feel part of the world.”
“The haunting ambiance creates a sense of tension and excitement throughout the gameplay.”
