Killing Time At Lightspeed

83%
Game Brain Score Based on 111 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Killing Time At Lightspeed Game Cover
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"Killing Time at Lightspeed" is a game of interactive fiction set on a spaceship traveling at lightspeed. The player passes time by scrolling through their social media feed, but with a delay between sending messages and their arrival due to the distance from Earth. Each refresh offers a brief glimpse into the past, prompting the player to consider the impact of their fleeting interactions on others' lives.

  • Mac OS
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

83%
Audience ScoreBased on 111 reviews
story25 positive mentions
gameplay3 negative mentions
  • The game presents a unique and intriguing concept of experiencing time dilation through social media interactions while traveling at light speed.
  • The writing is engaging and thought-provoking, exploring themes of alienation, social change, and the impact of technology on relationships.
  • The minimalist design and ambient soundtrack effectively enhance the emotional experience of the narrative.
  • The lack of a save feature is frustrating, forcing players to complete the game in one sitting, which can be challenging given its reading-heavy nature.
  • The interactivity is limited, with few meaningful choices that affect the story, leading to a sense of detachment from the characters and their experiences.
  • The game may feel short and overpriced for some, as it can be completed in about an hour, leaving players wanting more depth and content.
  • story52 mentions

    The game's story intertwines sociopolitical themes with personal narratives, exploring feelings of alienation and the impact of technology on relationships through a unique social media format. While some players found the narrative thought-provoking and engaging, others criticized its brevity and limited interactivity, leading to a lack of depth and replay value. Overall, it presents an interesting concept but may not satisfy those seeking a more traditional or expansive storytelling experience.

    • “A nice, short, near-future sci-fi story.”
    • “A charmingly compelling story wrapped up in a uniquely creative package.”
    • “I experienced a profound sense of regret at a decision that was made before I even started the game, which I think is storytelling done well.”
    • “Thought-provoking but not entirely original in format or story, with very little replay value in my opinion.”
    • “The story does not really offer any choice other than occasionally you get to choose your replies to some posts, and there are no branching endings, which is understandable because the player character is just literally sitting there the whole time.”
    • “I appreciate that the developer is trying to do something unique here, but I can't recommend this game to fans of sci-fi or story games in general.”
  • music16 mentions

    The music in the game is generally praised for its ability to set the mood, featuring a chill, sci-fi soundtrack that complements the retro aesthetic. However, many users noted the limited number of tracks, leading to repetitiveness and occasional jarring loops. Overall, while the soundtrack enhances the experience, some players expressed a desire for more variety and better looping mechanics.

    • “Great soundtrack that keeps the mood where it needs to be.”
    • “All of the game is set to the tune of a sci-fi soundtrack that fits really well with the theme of the game.”
    • “Soundtrack is beautiful, storylines are great and got me thinking :3 it's pretty short so if you're looking for a good little text-based game, I really recommend it.”
    • “Despite its cool but minimalist retro looks, quietly brooding cy-ambient soundtrack, and cleverness in the writing, the game doesn't manage to be fully satisfying.”
    • “The game looks the part, with its throwback monochrome UI and cyberpunky synthwave soundtrack, but the content just doesn't measure up.”
    • “The music, especially toward the beginning, looped badly.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    The gameplay of "Killing Time" is primarily narrative-driven, resembling a visual novel where players engage mostly through reading and minimal interaction, such as clicking through an interface that simulates a social media feed. While it offers an interesting narrative experience, the lack of substantial gameplay mechanics may deter those seeking more interactive elements. Overall, it caters to fans of storytelling rather than traditional gameplay.

    • “From a strictly mechanical standpoint, Killing Time is a visual novel, where the player will be mostly tasked with reading, although there is some light interaction that can change some outcomes and unlock achievements.”
    • “This makes for a very interesting narrative mechanic, as you watch your friends' lives unfold and see more technological advances happen, yet you are powerless to actually participate in any of it save for the odd comment.”
    • “There is no other gameplay, which is unfortunately the main sticking point for me, as is the ironic fall of the game into the very echo-chamber that it cleverly lampoons: by the end you are only permitted to see the world you have left behind through the very specific social lens of your friendpage friends.”
    • “The gameplay is simple: you click through an interface containing news and social media.”
    • “It is purely narrative driven, and the gameplay is pretty much scrolling down your Facebook feed.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its immersive storytelling, which evokes feelings of loneliness and connection through the protagonist's journey and interactions. Players experience a range of emotions, from nostalgia to melancholy, as they witness character transformations and societal changes, culminating in a deeply personal and sometimes overwhelming experience. Overall, the game is described as an emotional rollercoaster, blending wit and imagination with poignant moments.

    • “Though it isn't perfect, killing time at lightspeed made me feel like I truly was all alone in space with nothing but a tenuous social media connection to the world I had left behind.”
    • “I actually found it to be a slightly emotional journey as I watched my character's friends go through a number of changes and how the earth also changed, some for the better and some for the worse.”
    • “At the end of the day, however, there's nothing differentiating Jay from you - the player - and it can be immersive to the point that it's emotionally overwhelming.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, with some players expressing disappointment over the lack of a save function and minimal opportunities for interaction that could enhance the experience. While it offers some replay value, many reviewers feel it falls short of providing a compelling reason to revisit the game.

    • “There's very limited replay value, but this doesn't mean this game isn't worth getting.”
    • “I do wish that there were a lot more opportunities for interaction, though, in order to increase the amount of endings and replayability.”
    • “As a sidenote, and despite this being a relatively short experience, albeit with some replay value, the lack of any kind of save function in a 2016 game is, in my opinion, inexcusable.”
    • “Thought-provoking but not entirely original in format or story, with very little replay value, in my opinion.”
    • “Almost zero replayability - intentionally.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The game's humor is characterized by witty writing and clever references, particularly in the news section, which enhances the overall experience. Players find the content both hilarious and thought-provoking, with standout moments like a comical article about a zombie caused by a corrupted heart implant firmware update, showcasing the game's ability to blend humor with deeper themes.

    • “A lot of witty and funny elements and references dot the news section, making it a fun experience to skim through it.”
    • “The writing in the game is phenomenal, and often hilarious.”
    • “There was this hilarious article on an older man being a zombie because his heart implant got a corrupted firmware update, which your friends will acknowledge in your feed.”
  • graphics4 mentions

    The graphics are described as minimal yet effective, contributing to a coherent overall experience in the game. While generally well-received, there is a desire for more features and depth to enhance the visual storytelling.

    • “This was a pretty good concept for a story-based game; the graphics are nice, and generally I had a good time.”
    • “The graphics are very minimal, but they work well; the whole game feels very coherent.”
    • “Yes, there can be improvements. Please, either this team or another, start working on it. Add more features, allow more dialogue, have more information, and just make it more interesting to read.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is intertwined with broader themes of digital age challenges, including targeted advertising and the implications of technology on society. Reviews highlight concerns over asset flips and the ethical considerations of monetization strategies in gaming, reflecting a complex relationship between profit motives and player experience.

    • “The monetization model feels exploitative, with constant prompts to spend money on in-game items that should be earnable through gameplay.”
    • “It's frustrating to see that the best content is locked behind a paywall, making it hard to enjoy the game without shelling out extra cash.”
    • “The aggressive monetization tactics ruin the experience, as it feels like the game is designed more to extract money than to provide fun.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players found the initial grinding to be tedious, but as the game progressed, it became more engaging, leading them to complete it in one sitting.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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