Time Bandit – Part 1: Appendages of the Machine
- July 24, 2023
- Joel Jordon
Get on SteamIn "Time Bandit – Part 1: Appendages of the Machine," take on a slow-paced, real-time adventure role centered around mundane tasks like moving boxes. With a nod to classic Metal Gear aesthetics, the game encourages multitasking and puzzle-solving as you navigate an unusual work environment, saving progress along the way. This title, celebrated by PC Gamer, IGN, and Rock Paper Shotgun, promises a unique gaming experience where everyday oddities shine.
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Reviews
- Time Bandit offers a unique blend of genres, combining elements of puzzle-solving, stealth, and real-time mechanics that create an engaging and thought-provoking experience.
- The game encourages players to think critically about their time management and the labor theory of value, making it a fascinating commentary on capitalism.
- Players appreciate the game's charming low-poly aesthetic and the enjoyable routine of completing tasks in short, manageable sessions.
- The game's slow pacing and time-gated actions may not appeal to everyone, as some players find it frustrating to wait for tasks to complete.
- There are criticisms regarding the lack of depth in the story and character interactions, with some feeling that the game ends abruptly without sufficient resolution.
- Technical issues such as frame rate drops and limited optimization can detract from the overall experience, making it feel rough around the edges.
- gameplay15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its innovative real-time mechanics and a blend of various gameplay styles, creating a unique experience that some players find enjoyable, particularly in tasks like setting up forklifts and building bridges. However, the pacing may not appeal to everyone, as the game requires significant time investment with a routine that can feel repetitive and lacks depth beyond its initial offerings. While the writing and storytelling elements add charm, they can also come off as preachy, and the overall gameplay loop may feel more like a means to progress the plot rather than a standalone engaging experience.
“The real-time mechanics are some of the most interesting recontextualizations of the mode of play I've seen, and the few cutscenes that are here are all very fun.”
“This gameplay loop might not be for everyone, but I found the routine of setting up forklifts, planting trees, and building bridges to be very enjoyable.”
“Weird and atmospheric, it melds a bunch of disparate gameplay types into a very compelling game.”
“The time it asks you to invest, however, does not seem worth the gameplay it offers.”
“If you like the moment-to-moment gameplay and just like pushing the boxes around, then have fun, but it was always sort of a means to more plot or to unlock more places to do stuff for me; unfortunately, what you see is what you get, there's not much hidden beyond your character getting work shifts.”
“As much as I'd love to talk to you about the whole experience and the story and stuff, as it stands I've played for 3-4 days and I've only just started chapter one, as the game is very true to its message of 'real-time gameplay.'”
- story8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The story of "Time Bandit" is intriguing but underdeveloped, with players noting a lack of foreshadowing and minimal plot progression, particularly in the first chapter. While the writing can feel preachy and dialogue-heavy, it does provide some character backstory, though many players found the narrative lacking depth and resolution. Overall, the gameplay is engaging, but the story feels more like a backdrop than a driving force, leaving players wanting more substance as they progress.
“Time Bandit is currently part 1 of an unknown number of chapters, but I'm looking forward to seeing where the story goes and pushing as many boxes as it takes to get there.”
“The writing sometimes comes off as preachy (the radio is literally a talking head simulator), and there's very little foreshadowing for the game's one boss, but it does tell an interesting story with unique gameplay to frame it.”
“And despite tasks taking a long time, it fits together and feels good with the game overall, working together with the story.”
“One thing I'll say is a lot of the dialogue can be a bit much since I'd estimate maybe 1/4 of the characters' dialogue is to progress the plot or flesh out backstories.”
“Was not expecting it to end where it did or for the game to have as little story as it had when it had this big Metal Gear Solid vibe.”
“Felt like there was either going to be a boss fight or a big cutscene with some dialogue and the plot thickens or something, but nah, it's pretty nothing.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as charming and cute, providing a pleasant backdrop for gameplay, despite being somewhat limited and accompanied by minimal voice acting. The real-time format enhances the experience, featuring different soundtracks that correspond to the time of day, which some players find appealing while others may not. Overall, while the music may have its rough edges, it contributes positively to the game's atmosphere.
“Or don't, and just move boxes at a chill pace while you bop along to the cute music.”
“The real-time format of the game doesn't sound very appealing to some gamers, but this game was built with this heavily in mind. There are different soundtracks for each time of the day, the sun moves according to the time of the day, all in real time.”
“It's definitely rough around the edges with limited music and 'voice acting' that's just grunting, but I'm excited to see what comes next.”
“The real-time format of the game doesn't sound very appealing to some gamers, but this game was built with this heavily in mind; there are different soundtracks for each time of the day, the sun moves according to the time of the day, all in real time.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics feature 1080p support, which some users find limiting compared to the potential 1440p, but the game's low poly PS1 aesthetic and unique art style are appreciated, making the resolution less of a concern. The character design, including exaggerated features like T-rex arms, adds to the charm of the visuals.
“The game supports 1440p, but it's capped at 1080p. However, this isn't a huge issue considering the unique art style.”
“Sneaking around as a protagonist with T-Rex arms and a single facial expression, all presented in a charming low-poly PS1 aesthetic, is a delightful experience.”
“1440p support is capped at 1080p, which isn't a huge issue considering the art style.”
“Sneaking around as a protagonist with T-Rex arms and one facial expression, all with a low-poly PS1 aesthetic?”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized for rendering too much at once, leading to frequent frame drops, particularly in densely populated areas like towns or work sites.
“The game isn't optimized very well; it often renders too much at once, like the entire town or a large part of the worksite in a single shot, causing frame drops.”
“Performance issues are rampant due to poor optimization, leading to significant frame rate drops during busy scenes.”
“The lack of optimization is evident, as the game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate when there are too many elements on screen.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is described as weird and immersive, effectively blending various gameplay styles to create a compelling experience.
“Weird and atmospheric, melding a variety of gameplay types into a very compelling experience.”
