A Hat in Time is a charming 3D platformer developed by Gears for Breakfast and published by Humble Bundle, released on October 5, 2017. Available across PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and macOS, this title draws heavy inspiration from late 90s classics while updating the formula for modern standards. The game stars Hat Kid, a tiny space-travelling girl with a big tophat, who embarks on a whimsical adventure across multiple vibrant worlds.

About A Hat in Time

At its core, A Hat in Time is a cute-as-heck platformer that emphasizes exploration, variety, and humor. Players control Hat Kid as she navigates five massive worlds, each filled with distinct aesthetics and challenges. The gameplay loop involves jumping, climbing walls, swinging over gaps, and engaging in combat to traverse these environments. The game features a wide array of mission types, ranging from platforming challenges to mystery solving and stealth segments. With a playtime of approximately seven hours for the main journey and up to 15 hours for completionists, the game offers substantial content through its chapters, acts, and bonus Time Rifts.

Story and Setting

The narrative follows Hat Kid, whose spaceship is damaged by the Mafia of Cooks, causing her fuel source, the Time Pieces, to scatter across a nearby planet. To restore her vessel and return home, she must retrieve these pieces by exploring the planet's diverse regions. Along the way, she encounters a cast of quirky characters, including the feuding movie director birds of Dead Bird Studio, sketchy detective crows, and a girl with a mustache who plays a key role in the plot. The story is light-hearted and funny, supported by full English voice acting. Hat Kid herself remains silent for comedic effect, relying on expressive facial animations and fidgeting to convey her personality.

Key Features

  • Hat Stitching and Abilities: Collect rare magical yarn to stitch new hats with unique powers. Examples include a witch hat for cooking explosive concoctions and a wooden ghost mask that allows peeking into other dimensions.
  • Badges: Enhance your hats by attaching badges found, sold, or traded by locals, granting passive abilities and boosting power.
  • Diverse Missions: Experience varied gameplay scenarios such as solving the Murder on the Owl Express, marching in The Big Parade, or sneaking through the bird-run Dead Bird Studio.
  • Community Support: As a community-funded Kickstarter project, the game includes full modding capabilities, Steam Workshop support, and an in-game screenshot mode to celebrate its fanbase.

Platform Availability

A Hat in Time launched on October 5, 2017, and is accessible on a wide range of platforms. Players can enjoy the game on PC (Windows 10), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and macOS. The title's cross-platform availability ensures that fans of the genre can experience Hat Kid's adventure on their preferred device.

Who It Appeals To

This title is ideal for players who appreciate classic 3D platformers with a modern twist. Fans of exploration-heavy games, colorful aesthetics, and humorous writing will find much to enjoy. The game's emphasis on variety ensures that no two missions feel stale, appealing to those who crave diverse objectives within a cohesive world. Additionally, the robust modding support makes it a compelling choice for the modding community and players looking to extend the game's longevity through user-generated content.