A Hat in Time
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IGDB
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About A Hat in Time
Gears for Breakfast released A Hat in Time on October 5, 2017 as an indie adventure platformer. You play as a young girl who wears hats with special abilities to solve puzzles and fight enemies. The game launched on PlayStation 4, PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Mac right after its early access run. It feels like a love letter to classic 3D platformers from the late nineties while adding modern polish. You explore large open zones filled with collectibles and secrets instead of following a strict linear path. The story follows her search for Time Pieces to get home. This title stands out because it embraces charm without trying too hard to be something it is not.
Gameplay
You run, jump, and grapple across massive levels while hunting for Time Pieces and collectibles like badges and hats. Each hat gives you a new tool such as the Ninja Hat for stealth or the Beekeeper Hat to attract bees. Combat relies on quick dodges and grabbing enemies to throw them around rather than traditional health bars. You can switch between single player, co-op with a friend, or local split screen modes depending on your setup. Sessions last anywhere from twenty minutes to an hour as you tackle specific objectives or backtrack for hidden items. The controls feel tight enough for precise jumps but forgiving when you miss a landing spot.
What Players Think
The PlayPile community data shows strong approval with an IGDB rating of 81.1 out of 100 based on 238 user reviews. Metacritic sits at 77, which aligns with player sentiment that the game delivers solid fun. Average playtime hovers around 25 hours for a standard run while completionists spend closer to 40 hours hunting every badge and hat. Community moods lean heavily toward "Nostalgic" and "Wholesome" during peak activity times. Players frequently mention the co-op mode as a highlight when playing with friends, noting that it works surprisingly well despite some level design quirks. Review snippets often praise the art style and music as top-tier elements that keep you engaged even after the main story ends.
PlayPile's Take
This game is worth your time if you enjoy collecting heavy platformers with a strong emphasis on exploration over difficulty spikes. The price point on most platforms makes it an easy buy compared to triple-A titles, especially considering the content volume. You earn 38 achievements in total which adds a nice layer of completionism for those who want everything. Some late-game pacing drags slightly but the charm factor keeps you moving forward. Skip this if you hate open-ended levels or find 3D camera controls frustrating. Otherwise grab it and start stitching hats immediately.
Game Modes
Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative, Split screen
IGDB Rating
81.1
RAWG Rating
4.3
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2Gameplay video
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14Achievements
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