Developer: Playables
Platforms: Mac, PC (Reviewed), PS5, Switch,
Genre: Adventure
Publisher: Panic
Time Flies is a short adventure game. This game was developed by Playables and published by Panic. Time Flies is a unique adventure that focuses on the idea of the limited time we have in this world. This review was done for the Steam version, but the game is also available for Mac, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
Time Flies is a single-player game where you play as a fly that has a specific life expectancy based on the country you are playing from. This fly has several bucket lists it wants to complete before the fly meets their end, and it is up to you to guide the fly around various areas to complete everything on its bucket list. Depending on the country you are based in, the life expectancy varies, which means the amount of time you have to complete the bucket list varies, but is limited. Set off on a little adventure where you buzz around a house, an art gallery, whilst drinking wine, tickling feet, making art and much more.
Time Flies is a simple and minimalistic game that works seamlessly. The controls consist of nothing much but movement keys and being able to observe your bucket list. What I especially love about Time Flies is the subtle artwork and visuals. Time Flies features a black and white hand-drawn aesthetic that fits perfectly with the perspective of a fly. In most instances, the fly you control turns into a little pixel with its shadow on the floor and then gets increasingly larger when you focus on your bucket list task. I like the depth in the simplicity, which creates a homey atmosphere. Time Flies features four different locations that have been drawn with a great amount of detail, bringing each location to life. Personally, I loved the art gallery location as the installations of art pieces from a Mona Lisa painting to a Michelangelo statue, which you can interact with, were stunning. Even though there is so much simplicity to the game, it brings so much life through its pleasing and charming animations, especially when it comes to the buzzing fly that flies around. Overall, the game is quiet with no background music besides the occasional track or harmony you play as a fly, but the air is filled with the buzzing noises that almost feel endless but calming (in some sense). As I was playing the game, I thought the buzzing was coming from the game, only to find an actual fly buzzing around my room.
Time Flies is a game that puts the saying ‘Time Flies’ into perspective as an actual fly. The concept of the game is simple yet so amusing. It almost felt like trying to complete the four bucket lists was a puzzle on its own, but one that put you into the shoes of the fly. As you complete a bucket list, you move onto another bucket list with interesting things to do that make you wonder why a fly wants to do so much in such a short amount of time. I mean, the life expectancy of a fly in Ireland is 81.6 seconds and at the start of the game, I was not even aware that you could interact with clocks. The game has all sorts of little secrets and unique interactions that make you want to play more. What’s even more interesting is that you can set up a greater challenge for yourself by trying the life expectancy of other countries that may differ over time. Some were roughly sixty seconds, and it puts the player into a position of wanting to create the best path to complete all the items on the list.
At first, I was not sure what to expect from Time Flies, but the game ropes you in. Watching a fly interact with certain items like rolling a toilet paper or fine-tuning a radio has its own charm and gets quite addicting. Unexpectedly finding different ways of dying as a fly becomes second nature to you. I enjoyed being able to read the bucket list and decipher certain tasks as I would fly around. For instance, one of the bucket list items read ‘Make Someone Smile’ in the art gallery, and that was the last thing I needed to do before progressing. At first, I was extremely confused, but as I was flying around, I passed by the Mona Lisa painting, and it finally made sense what I needed to do. There were so many moments like these that felt so worth it, plus searching for those puzzle pieces was another task you could take up on as a fly. You get to do several things that you would want to do before you die, which leaves a strong message to the players.
Time Flies is such an interesting concept, and the game is so amusing, although it is quite short. To complete the game entirely (100% completion), it took me roughly two hours, but this short adventure game is impactful and leaves a good impression on the player. By the time I reached the end of the game, I was on fly #32, which was much higher than I would have expected. As you flew around, you would see your previous dead bodies lying on the ground or drowned in a glass of wine. Little details like these make this game such a wonderful experience. Additionally, if you complete the game, you are introduced to something even more interesting that is worth looking at. Of course, I do wish that the game was longer, but the idea of this short adventure in retrospect to the concept of Time Flies is perfect.
If you’re looking for a game that offers simplistic puzzling pleasure with distinctive visuals and a calming atmosphere, then this game is just for you. Time Flies is an easy-going game where you get to complete bucket lists of a fly that has a limited amount of time to live. Be sure to check out Time Flies, as you will not be disappointed!
Overall: 8.5/10
This is S & S. We are world game explorers. We play games. We have played over 10,000+ games! We travel, we write reviews AND we play more games!!!!
