In His Time

About

In His Time is a single player casual platformer game with a drama theme. It was developed by TearyHand Studio and was released on October 2, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

This is a 2D adventure game of puzzle solving. As you control Ollie, a young boy, use your head to overcome the many obstacles that stand in your way. To obtain items, you may need to persuade characters or win mini-games. Through these, players will get to know the world even better.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 20 reviews

story9 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features a touching, emotionally resonant story exploring themes of grief, forgiveness, and personal growth with sensitivity and subtlety.
Puzzles are generally well-balanced, accessible, and creatively integrated into the narrative, enhancing the emotional storytelling without being overly frustrating.
Artistic aspects like the unique, soft 2D storybook-inspired visuals, emotive music, and expressive sound design create a warm, immersive atmosphere.

The religious themes, particularly Christian elements, are not clearly disclosed in the game's description, which some players felt was misleading or off-putting.
Some puzzles near the end of the game are considered too difficult or frustrating, occasionally requiring outside help to solve.
The use of a limited pseudo-language for character communication was seen as jarring or annoying by some, detracting from the emotional impact.

story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
56%
11%
The story is a touching, introspective tale centered on a young boy named Olly dealing with grief, addiction, and personal struggles, told through subtle symbolism, understated puzzles, and a storybook-like aesthetic. It employs indirect, metaphorical storytelling that encourages emotional reflection and player interpretation, culminating in a hopeful, redemptive ending with Christian themes subtly woven in. This narrative approach is praised for its sensitivity, depth, and emotional impact, though some may find its subtlety and lack of explicit exposition less engaging.
- “Great redemptive and touching story.”
- “It tells its story through small moments, symbolic interactions, and understated puzzles, creating an experience that feels closer to an interactive storybook than a traditional video game.”
- “In addition to the beautiful art and music, the symbolism in many puzzles is incredibly thought-provoking, the direction of the story is uncommon and uncommonly brave, and the ending made me tear up a little.”
- “There is nothing in the game description—perhaps a slight hint at the game title, even so, not really obvious—that alludes to it being a Christian-based story, yet slowly the game starts taking the plot towards that very direction.”
- “The story would be okay if its end message wasn't 'everything will be great cause... God.'”
- “There is nothing in the game description—perhaps a slight hint at the game title, even so, not really obvious—that alludes to it being a Christian-based story, yet slowly the game starts taking the plot towards that very direction.”
emotional
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a quietly emotional and reflective journey centered on themes of healing, empathy, and personal growth through small, meaningful actions. Its understated music, symbolic puzzles, and heartfelt storytelling create a touching, sometimes somber experience that resonates deeply with players who appreciate subtle, atmospheric narratives. Though some may find its spiritual elements and abstract emotional cues less accessible, the overall emotional impact is both powerful and memorable.
- “In His Time, developed by Tearyhand Studio and published by Kodansha, is a quiet, emotionally driven puzzle adventure that prioritizes reflection and empathy over challenge or spectacle.”
- “Ordinary tasks such as helping others, fixing objects, or completing errands are imbued with emotional significance, reinforcing the idea that healing and growth occur through small, consistent acts rather than grand gestures.”
- “Overall, In His Time is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant indie title that values atmosphere, symbolism, and human connection over mechanical complexity.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
The gameplay centers on light puzzle mechanics integrated into the narrative, offering a thoughtful and emotionally resonant experience. While a variety of mechanics are introduced, some feel underdeveloped, leading to occasional fragmentation and a slower pace that may not appeal to players seeking constant engagement. Overall, the gameplay is manageable, atmospheric, and reminiscent of narrative-driven games like "To the Moon."
- “Gameplay is built around a variety of light puzzle mechanics that are woven directly into the narrative.”
- “Overall, In His Name is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant indie title that values atmosphere, symbolism, and human connection over mechanical complexity.”
- “While the game introduces a wide range of mechanics over its relatively short runtime, not all of them receive enough development to feel fully realized, which can make the experience feel slightly fragmented at times.”
- “For players accustomed to fast progression or constant mechanical engagement, this can feel uneventful.”
- “The gameplay is tricky but doable.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
33%
The music in the game is understated yet emotive, effectively enhancing emotional scenes and complementing the non-verbal communication style. It is praised for its sensitivity, creativity, and ability to deepen the unique, touching story. Overall, the soundtrack stands out as a strong and integral element of the game's artistic and narrative experience.
- “The musical score is understated and emotive, often carrying emotional weight in scenes where dialogue is minimal or abstract.”
- “Once Joseph came into the picture, I started to see the subtlety and sensitivity of the unique story, which is bolstered by some excellent music and extremely creative, abstract visual design.”
- “In addition to the beautiful art and music, the symbolism in many puzzles is incredibly thought-provoking, the direction of the story is uncommon and uncommonly brave, and the ending made me tear up a little.”
graphics
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The graphics feature a soft, storybook-inspired 2D aesthetic that effectively complements the game's introspective tone. While some find the artwork simple and rudimentary, many appreciate its special and engaging visual style.
- “Visually, it adopts a soft, storybook-inspired 2D aesthetic that complements its introspective tone.”
- “The aesthetics are special and incomparable.”
- “The artwork is simple, yet effective and engaging.”
- “The only reason why I'm giving this game a bad review is not the simple graphics, the rudimentary dialogue, or how short the game is... but the hidden religious 'propaganda'.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is thoughtful and emotionally resonant, emphasizing symbolism and human connection. It creates a contemplative mood similar to titles like To the Moon, prioritizing emotional depth over complex mechanics.
- “Overall, In His Time is a thoughtful and emotionally resonant indie title that values atmosphere, symbolism, and human connection over mechanical complexity.”
- “In both mechanics and atmosphere, In His Name is very similar to games like To the Moon.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Character development is considered somewhat simplistic, with basic character design and dialogue that occasionally lacks depth and emotional nuance, particularly in more poignant moments.