tl; dr: This is the PC's definitive answer to Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Odyssey. If you liked any of those titles, you will love "A Hat in Time."

I have tried for years to find a decent platformer on the PC that is what I wanted from a platformer, but most of them had me left bored and I tried to force myself to try and play it. I thought for a while that I had stopped liking 3d platformers. I am glad that I found this game.

To start, the graphics are beautiful. Stylized, but done beautifully. They gave us the option of running really high frame rates, but my monitor couldn't handle the maximum. Instead I am running 144hz. So yes it is smooth. The game is highly optimized. I usually don't run the highest AA as my 780ti struggles with it in most games these days. Now I do feel it when the game is minimized, but when I am in game, it runs great.

The only performance issue which really isn't a big deal, is that the loading screens act like they are changing resolutions and the audio cuts out. It's a loading screen so it really doesn't matter. It is just there so we don't think our game froze anyways. The art for the loading screens is actually really nice though.

When I first dropped into the first area, I just started exploring and then starting chasing someone, using the moves that she was using to keep up with her. It didn't explain anything to me, but it wasn't hard to catch on. I didn't even know it was a tutorial until after I thought about it. It was so well blended into the game that it worked much better than other tutorials.

Now going back to exploring. The first area seems to have so much to do and it is so populated. The world feels alive and not a barren wasteland like what I am used to seeing in this genre as of lately. I hate running around trying to explore to see if I can find anything and then there is nothing to be found. So far, I keep getting sidetracked from the main missions as I will see something glowing, or a flag floating around randomly, or strange characters that don't look like they are supposed to be in the area that I am in. If you love to explore, this game is not going to disappoint you.

Most platformers will have you collecting coins or similar and will either have no use other than collecting or you can buy stuff. You get the option to get upgrades for your hats which will allow you to do various things. The mumble upgrade I have no idea why I would want that, but I have a feeling later on in the game it will become obvious. There is also yarn balls and other world specific items to collect. The yarn allows you to create new hats to give you new abilities. They made it easy to switch between your various hats as well.

Each world seems to be huge as well, so that is another plus.

The boss battles are fun and unique all with music designed for each. A few of the missions are nods to other popular games which actually works really well in this game. See if you can spot any of them. There are three that I have seen so far.

All of the characters and enemies are charming.

The sound design in this game is also very nice.


My only concern so far is that I worry that the game will be short. It will be a great experience either way, but I really hope they don't leave me waiting for more. Update: Game completed with most unlockables and collectables. Time to complete was 15 hours. DLC is going to be here next month so I can't wait. Oh and the devs are giving it away for free on the day of it's release. If you miss it, it is still only $5 and I have heard it is supposed to be a sizeable chunk added to the game. Either way. It's going to be awesome.

Oh and btw... Don't play Patty Cake with the Mafia guys.